Laguna Salada

Laguna Salada is one of the saline lakes that make up the Lagunas de Campillos Nature Reserve, in the municipality of Campillos, Málaga province, in the Antequera valley.

What is this place?

Laguna Salada belongs to a cluster of endorheic lakes — lakes with no outlet to the sea — that also includes Laguna Dulce, Laguna de Camuñas, Laguna de Capacete and Laguna del Cerero. All of them are seasonal, filling and shrinking with rainfall, and their water is markedly saline, which sets the area apart from typical Mediterranean wetlands. The whole complex was declared a Natural Reserve in 1989 and covers just over 1,300 hectares in total, with a core protected area of under 85 hectares surrounded by a much larger buffer zone around the lakes.

Why visit?

Birdlife is the main draw. From the observation points set up around the lagoons, visitors can spot two threatened species: the common coot and the white-headed duck, for which this reserve is one of the more important breeding sites in the region. Other species that breed here include the common pochard, mallard, wigeon, moorhen and black-necked grebe. In winter and during migration, the lakes fill with ducks and storks, and increasingly with flamingos, which are now sometimes seen even through summer. The farmland surrounding the lagoons also hosts wintering cranes — in February, more than two thousand birds can be seen feeding in the fields or flying over in their characteristic V-formations.

What does the landscape look like?

Vegetation around Laguna Salada is dominated by rushes, reeds and other salt-tolerant plants typical of highly saline lake edges. Further from the water, the landscape gives way to cereal fields and olive groves, a pattern that runs across the whole Antequera valley.

How do you get to Laguna Salada?

From the center of Campillos, take the A-7286 road toward the San José de Campillos boarding school. From there, a track leads to the three most significant lagoons in the complex, the first being Laguna Salada. About 900 meters past the school, a side track branches off to the left through farmland, and less than 200 meters further the lagoon comes into view.

What else is there to see nearby?

Campillos recently opened an Interpretation Center dedicated to the Lagunas de Campillos Nature Reserve, using replicas of the most representative birds to introduce visitors to the area's wildlife before they head out to the lakes themselves. It's a useful stop for anyone who wants to learn what to look for before reaching the water.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Laguna Salada always have water? No — it's a seasonal, endorheic lake, so its water level depends on rainfall in a given year. During dry spells the lakebed can partially or fully dry out.

Which birds are easiest to spot? From the observation points, the common coot, mallard, common pochard and wigeon are the most frequent sightings, along with the white-headed duck under the right conditions — a species this reserve specifically protects.

When is the best time to visit for birdwatching? Winter and migration periods bring the largest numbers of ducks and other waterbirds; in February it's also worth watching for cranes feeding in the surrounding fields.

Is there an entrance fee for the reserve? Access to the observation points along the road from the San José de Campillos school is open to the public, with no ticket required.