Trekking in the Sierra de Gredos

Photo: Wikimedia Commons · Wikimedia Commons

Epic5 hours – 2 days

Why go

The Circo de Gredos is Central Spain's finest mountain amphitheatre — a lake ringed by 2,500 m granite walls under Almanzor, with tame ibex on the tops and swimming pools in the southern gorges.

When

In season: Jun–Oct · Peak: Jul–Sep

Who it’s for

Skill

Intermediate–Advanced

Effort

Moderate

Suitable from

12+ · Teen+

Crowds

Quiet

Cost

Trekking specifics

Distance: 22 km
Total ascent: 1400 m
Max altitude: 2592 m
Accommodation: Laguna Grande refuge; camping
Technical: Rough granite and boulder near the summits

What to expect

A long approach to the Laguna Grande, then rough granite to the summits; the Cinco Lagunas on the north side is wilder and harder. Snow lingers into June.

Routes

What the difficulty bands mean

moderate: Sustained effort or some exposure; comfort on the terrain expected.
hard: Long, technical or serious — experience and the right conditions required.

Laguna Grande from Plataforma
moderate
The classic approach to the lake under the cirque walls
13 km5 hours
Garganta de los Caballeros
moderate
Granite pools and waterfalls in the southern valleys
14 km6 hours
Circo de Gredos and Almanzor
hard
Glacial cirque to the highest summit in the range
22 km2 days
Cinco Lagunas
hard
Five lakes on the northern side, and the ibex that live there
18 km8 hours

How to start

Drive to the Plataforma de Gredos trailhead and walk in to the Laguna Grande refuge, or camp. Book the refuge in summer and carry water on the granite.