Day 12 * Laguna Negra & Pico de Urbión

Tuesday, October 4, 2022

Mornings: Vinuesa * Evenings: Laguna Negra (parking lot for hiking)

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From Vinuesa we drive along the small country road to the Museo Del Bosque, the forest museum. Unfortunately, it is closed today. So we continue through the forest uphill to the attraction of the region: the Laguna Negra. Nestled in a pine forest, the small glacial lake sits 2000 meters above sea level. It is surrounded by steep granite walls. The surrounding forests are glowing in the most beautiful autumn colors.

Originally, we only wanted to walk the 2 kilometers from the parking lot to the lake. We have light luggage and little food in our backpack ... But when we discover the sign for Pico de Urbión, our curiosity gets the better of us. We climb the difficult path through the steep gorge. At the top, there is a beautiful plain with pine trees, rocks, and alpine pastures. And there is a sign for the next lake, Laguna Larga ... only 1.8 kilometers to hike ... then there is another sign ... and in the end, we reach the 2228 meter high Pico de Urbión. From here, we can see all the way to Rioja. The landscape is breathtaking!

Nearby, the Rio Duero originates, which we will paddle on in a few days ... But we can't know that yet.

In the evening, tired and happy and overwhelmed, we return to the camper. The planned 4 kilometers have turned into 16, over rocks and through gorges, along lakes and pastures. As a reward, we sat contentedly on top of the rocks at the small summit cross.

We don't want to leave this enchanting and mysterious area so quickly. That's why we park the camper at the top, right at the parking lot for hiking to Laguna Negra. This is only possible now in the off-season, in the summer this road is closed.

And indeed, we are all alone up here. Our only neighbors are two curious foxes, who are looking for a delicious dessert by the trash cans ...