Lagunillo Misterioso

Lagunillo Misterioso is a small mountain lake in the Sierra Nevada, within the municipality of Dílar (Granada, Andalusia), sitting right at the headwaters of the Dílar River.

Where is Lagunillo Misterioso located?

The lake sits at an altitude of roughly 2,681 metres, on the eastern slope of the ridge leading up to the Tozal del Cartujo peak (3,152 metres). This is the high-mountain upper section of the Dílar river valley, deep in the Sierra Nevada massif. The lake occupies a small natural basin at the foot of the rock formations known as the Torcales de Dílar.

Why is it called "misterioso"?

The name is well earned. Unlike other lakes in the Dílar valley, Lagunillo Misterioso cannot be seen from the popular hiking routes that cross this part of the Sierra Nevada. Tucked into a basin below the Torcales de Dílar, it stays essentially hidden until you are standing right at its edge. To find it, a hiker has to deliberately leave the main trail and head straight for it — no one stumbles onto it by accident while walking a standard route.

What does the water look like?

The lake's most distinctive feature is its water colour: a blue tone that shades into darker, almost black hues. This effect comes from the sky reflecting off the surface combined with the dark rock surrounding the basin. Despite this brooding colour, the water itself is completely clear — it's the contrast between the dark rocky backdrop and the transparent water that gives the lake its moody, almost mysterious character, the same quality behind its name.

How do you get there, and where's the best viewpoint?

The best view of Lagunillo Misterioso comes from the high-mountain route that runs through the headwaters of the Lanjarón valley, where a path branches off toward the Tozal del Cartujo summit. From that vantage point, the lake is visible from above, framed by the surrounding rock and ridgeline. The entire route crosses high-altitude Sierra Nevada terrain above 2,600 metres, so it calls for solid fitness, proper trekking footwear, and experience walking on rocky mountain ground. This is not a casual, spontaneous detour — reaching the lake is a destination in its own right.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lagunillo Misterioso easy to reach? No. The lake is not on a main, well-trodden trail — reaching it means deliberately leaving the path and heading into high-mountain Sierra Nevada terrain above 2,600 metres.

At what altitude does the lake sit? Around 2,681 metres, on the eastern slope leading up to the Tozal del Cartujo peak (3,152 metres).

Can you see the lake without hiking right up to its edge? Yes, a good overhead view is available from a vantage point near Tozal del Cartujo, reached via the route through the headwaters of the Lanjarón valley.

What colour is the water in Lagunillo Misterioso? A blue-black tone created by the sky reflecting off the surface combined with the dark surrounding rock, while the water itself remains transparent.