Meirama Lake

Meirama Lake, in the municipality of Cerceda (A Coruña province, Galicia), is one of Spain's most striking landscape transformations: a former open-pit lignite mine turned into a large, deep artificial lake.

Where did the lake come from?

The Meirama mine operated continuously from 1980 until January 2008, supplying lignite to the adjacent Meirama thermal power plant for 27 years and yielding a total of 94 million tonnes of coal. When mining stopped, the site's owner — today Naturgy, formerly Gas Natural Fenosa — launched one of Spain's largest post-mining restoration projects, investing around 60 million euros to flood the enormous pit and replant the surrounding spoil heaps.

The result is an artificial lake roughly 2.2 km long and 1 km wide, covering about 171 hectares, with a maximum depth of around 205 metres — among the deepest bodies of water in Spain. The water is exceptionally clean, and since 2013 Galicia's water authority (Aguas de Galicia) has approved its use as an emergency drinking-water reserve for the city of A Coruña, some 30 km away, without the need for intensive treatment beforehand — reportedly the first artificial lake of its kind in Spain to be cleared for this purpose.

What will you see?

The land around the lake has been reforested and turned into a protected natural area that is gradually attracting waterfowl and other wildlife. A walking trail circles the reservoir, offering views over the water framed by the reforested slopes of the former mine — the contrast between the site's industrial past and its current calm is part of what makes a visit worthwhile. It's a popular spot with locals for walking, birdwatching and landscape photography, though swimming and water sports are restricted given the lake's role as a drinking-water reserve.

How to get there?

Meirama Lake sits in Cerceda, about 25–30 km from A Coruña, and is easily reached by car via local roads into the As Encrobas valley. It makes a good stop for anyone exploring the inland parts of A Coruña province and looking for a quieter, less touristy corner of Galicia.

When to visit?

Spring and autumn offer the best conditions for walking and wildlife-watching, with lush greenery around the lake and fewer visitors than in summer. Summer brings longer, warmer days that suit longer walks around the reservoir, though weekends tend to draw more visitors.

Frequently asked questions

Is Meirama Lake a natural lake? No — it's an artificial reservoir created by flooding a former open-pit lignite mine that operated until 2008.

Can you swim in the lake? Because it serves as a drinking-water reserve for A Coruña, swimming and water sports are restricted; the lake is mainly a destination for walking and nature watching.

How deep is the lake? Its maximum depth is around 205 metres, making it one of the deepest bodies of water in Spain.

How long did the site's restoration take? The rehabilitation project, worth roughly 60 million euros, involved flooding the mine pit and reforesting the surrounding spoil heaps and land, creating the lake landscape seen today.