Lakes of Covadonga
| Lagos de Covadonga | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Picos de Europa, Asturias, Spain |
| Coordinates | 43°17′N 4°57′W / 43.283°N 4.950°W |
| Type | Glacial lakes |
| Surface elevation | 1,134 meters (3,720 ft) |
The Lakes of Covadonga (el. 1134 m.) (Spanish: Lagos de Covadonga) are two glacial lakes located on the region of Asturias, Spain. These lakes, often also called Lakes of Enol or simply Los Lagos, are Lake Enol and Lake Ercina located in the Picos de Europa range and they are the original center of the Picos de Europa National Park, created in 1918. They are near the Covadonga Sanctuary.
Lake Enol is situated approximately 10 km from Covadonga and 25 km from Cangas de Onís. A curving road is available from Arriondas to the lake.[1] Measuring 0.1 square kilometres (0.039 sq mi),[2] it is one of the biggest lakes in the area. Lake Enol is situated 1,070 metres (3,510 ft) above sea level.
A submerged image of the Virgin Mary is elevated every year on 8 September and then taken out for a procession. Regional dancing occurs at Lake Enol during the Fiesta del Pastor on 25 July.[3]
Lake Ercina is situated at an altitude of 1,108 metres (3,635 ft) and its maximum depth is just over 2 metres (6 ft 7 in). The eutrophic lake covers approximately 8 hectares (20 acres).[4]
Vuelta a España
The road ascending from Covadonga to the lakes is a popular climb in professional road bicycle racing, having been used by Vuelta a España many times in the last 25 years.
Together with Alto de l'Angliru, Lagos de Covadonga is the most important climb in the modern history of the Vuelta. The road that leads to the lakes starts at Covadonga and is 12.6 kilometres long at an average gradient of 7.3% (height gain: 1056 m).[1] The most demanding section is La Huesera, 7 kilometres from the top of the climb, with an average gradient of 15% during 800 meters. It was featured for the first time in 1983 with the victory of Marino Lejarreta, who was in a fierce battle with Bernard Hinault for overall victory. This was the same Vuelta that saw Hinault, Greg LeMond and Laurent Fignon all riding on the same team. Stage 7 of the 2023 La Vuelta Femenina ended at Lagos de Covadonga, with Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering placing first.
Winners of the Lakes of Covadonga stage - Men
Winners of the Lakes of Covadonga stage - Women
| Year | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Demi Vollering |  Netherlands
|
References
- ^ Yates 2010, p. 272.
- ^ Gutiérrez & Gutiérrez 2014, p. 158.
- ^ Quintero & Gallagher 2013, p. 110.
- ^ "Lago de La Ercina". www.llanes.as (in Spanish). Retrieved 13 July 2016.
- Gutiérrez, Francisco; Gutiérrez, Mateo (18 April 2014). Landscapes and Landforms of Spain. Springer Science & Business. ISBN 978-94-017-8628-7.
- Quintero, Josephine; Gallagher, Mary-Ann (2 April 2013). DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Spain. DK Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4654-1113-6.
- Yates, Dorian (1 June 2010). Green Earth Guide: Traveling Naturally in Spain. North Atlantic Books. ISBN 978-1-55643-984-1.