Lagunas de Río Seco

Lagunas de Río Seco is a cluster of high-mountain glacial lakes in the municipality of Capileira, deep in the Sierra Nevada range in Andalusia. Prized by hikers for their stark, high-altitude scenery and remoteness, they form part of a wider network of lagunas scattered across the highest reaches of this Spanish mountain range.

What exactly are the Lagunas de Río Seco?

Despite the name, Río Seco is not a single lake but a group of eight separate water bodies. Most are seasonal: they fill in spring as snowmelt runs down from the peaks, then shrink or dry up entirely by summer. They sit within the alpine zone of the Sierra Nevada, an area protected as both a National Park and a Natural Park. The site's coordinates are roughly 37.053°N, 3.347°W.

How do you reach Río Seco from Capileira?

The most common approach starts in Capileira itself. Two trailheads leave the village — one via La Cebadilla, the other via Las Acequias — both converging at Cortijo de las Tomas and continuing to Refugio Poqueira, a mountain refuge that serves as the natural rest stop along the way. From there the path continues toward the Mulhacén river.

A second option follows the forest track connecting Veleta and Capileira. Hikers travelling with children, or anyone after a shorter outing, can instead take the National Park shuttle bus to Posiciones del Veleta — from that point, reaching the lagunas takes no more than two hours on foot.

Is there a circular route linking the Sierra Nevada lagunas?

Yes. A longer circular route, popular with experienced hikers, starts at Refugio Poqueira and heads toward the Mulhacén river, climbs to Laguna de la Caldera, crosses the Collado del Ciervo pass to a spot known as La Mosca, continues via Juego de Bolos to Laguna Larga, and finally descends to Laguna de Río Seco. It's the way to see several of the range's high-altitude lakes in a single trip.

When is the best time to hike here?

This circular route is recommended for summer only. In winter, the path becomes hazardous — snow and ice on the exposed high-altitude sections call for mountaineering experience and gear, not standard trekking equipment.

What should you know before setting out?

Capileira, the starting point for most routes, sits where the Sierra Nevada National Park and Natural Park meet, so the municipality offers a wide range of trails beyond the lagunas themselves, at varying difficulty levels. Bring proper hiking boots, plenty of water, and sun protection — the high-altitude stretches are largely treeless and exposed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the Lagunas de Río Seco hold water all year? No. Most of the eight water bodies are seasonal, filling mainly in spring from snowmelt and largely drying up by summer.

How long does the hike from Capileira take? It depends on the route. The classic approach via Refugio Poqueira takes most of a day, while using the National Park shuttle to Posiciones del Veleta cuts the walk down to around two hours.

Is the trail suitable for children? The shorter option using the shuttle to Posiciones del Veleta is easier and better suited to families than the full circular route through several lagunas.

Can you visit in winter? The circular route through the lagunas is recommended for summer only — winter conditions on the high-altitude sections make it dangerous.