La Laguna del Duque

El Duque lake

This route will take us to the "El Duque" lake, on the south side of the Candelario Mountains. The route as it is described here starts at the hydroelectric station of "El Chorro", near Solana de Avila, but there is a possibility to add an extra 3.5Km walking down the tarmac road from the turn off the road Solana-La Zarza.

1. It starts at the hydroelectric station of "El Chorro", near Solana de Avila. It was built in the twenties, and the long tube coming down through the rocky gorge from the dam 300m above is still rather shocking. The lane starts to the left of the buildings, and it is well marked. On the first leg we can discover a little birch forest to our left, a real relic in these latitudes.

2. After a few hundred metres the path forks into two. Both will take us to the lake, but the easiest way to go up is along the path that heads south and goes round the granite mass. It follows a canal with a steep open meadow that takes us to a coll that opens into the lake glacial circus, with fantastic views of the Candelario massif, La Ceja ridge and the Calvitero peak, the highest in the range. The climb takes about 45 minutes.

3. From here, the lane circles the lake, on rather flat terrain, amongst Spanish broom bushes (Cytisus purgans), which in the spring are full of flowers with a sweet and powerful smell. If we are lucky and walk quietly we may be able see otters playing on the shore. The landscape, its stillness and the feeling of peace and tranquillity are incredible.

4. On the way back, we will climb down from the dam following a steep path parallel the tube, enjoying the cascades and clear water pools amongst the rocks. In some areas there will be steps carved in the rock and rails to hold on to.