Laguna Redonda

Laguna Redonda is a small, seasonal lagoon in the municipality of Campillos, in the province of Málaga, Andalusia. It belongs to a wider system of endorheic lakes spread across a plateau between the Vega Alta de Antequera and the border with Córdoba province, right next to the well-known Reserva Natural Lagunas de Campillos.

Where is Laguna Redonda?

The lagoon sits in the rural countryside of the Campillos municipality, not far from the town itself, in a landscape typical of inland Málaga province — a gently undulating plain with almost no relief. It is precisely this flat, drainage-less terrain that gave rise to a whole cluster of small lakes and lagoons in the area, and Redonda is one of the lesser-known members of that same natural system, alongside its more famous neighbours.

What is this lagoon and how did it form?

The lagoons around Campillos are endorheic, meaning they have no outlet to the sea: water collects in shallow depressions and is lost only through evaporation and seepage. Their formation is linked to karst processes — the dissolution and subsidence of evaporite rock layers beneath the surface. Unlike the reserve's five permanent lagoons (Dulce, Salada, Capacete, Camuñas and Cerero), Laguna Redonda is seasonal: it fills mainly during the rainy months of autumn and winter, and can shrink or dry out almost completely during the drier part of the year.

What birds and wildlife can be seen here?

The whole Campillos lagoon complex is an important stopover for waterbirds. Depending on the season and water level, visitors can spot flamingos, cranes, several species of ducks, coots, black-winged stilts and avocets. Seasonal lagoons like Redonda often become especially attractive to birds right after rainfall, when the permanent lagoons are full and birds spread out to extra feeding grounds nearby. In the drier scrubland around the lagoons, ocellated lizards are a common sight, along with foxes and weasels.

What protection status does the area have?

The neighbouring Reserva Natural Lagunas de Campillos was designated in 1989 and additionally carries the status of Site of Community Importance (LIC), Special Conservation Zone (ZEC) and Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA), as well as a listing under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance. Laguna Redonda lies within this same broader lagoon system, though as a seasonal water body it is not always counted among the five permanent lagoons that form the reserve's strict administrative core.

When is the best time to visit?

Autumn and winter, after periods of rain, offer the best chance of finding the lagoon filled with water and attracting birdlife. During the dry summer months the lagoon may be partly or fully dry, which is entirely normal behaviour for this type of endorheic wetland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Laguna Redonda hold water all year round? No — it is a seasonal lagoon that fills mainly during rainy periods and can dry out in summer, unlike the five permanent lagoons of the neighbouring reserve.

Can you see flamingos at Laguna Redonda? Waterbirds, including flamingos, are typical of the whole Campillos lagoon complex, though their presence depends on water levels and season — they are most often seen after rainfall.

Is Laguna Redonda part of a protected nature reserve? It lies within the same natural system as the Reserva Natural Lagunas de Campillos, established in 1989, though the reserve's administrative core is formed by five permanent lagoons (Dulce, Salada, Capacete, Camuñas, Cerero).

How do you get to Laguna Redonda? The lagoon is located within the Campillos municipality in Málaga province; the town of Campillos itself is the best starting point, with local roads leading out to the surrounding lagoons.