Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), drawn by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From La Plataforma at 1,760 m, at the end of the track from Hoyos del Espino, the path, paved with granite slabs in its lower part according to the Parque Regional page, climbs by the Prado de las Pozas and the Fuente de los Cavadores to Los Barrerones at 2,170 m and then drops to the Laguna Grande, a glacial lake in the Circo de Gredos. Return the same way.
It is 13.3 km there and back with 643 m of ascent; allow about 5 hours. The Fundación Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León gives the path as 6.4 km one way, with a continuous climb with some steep sections, 390 m of climb from La Plataforma to Los Barrerones and 190 m of descent to the lake, and about 5 hours there and back, rated medium-high; its trail page gives 6.40 km and 2.5 hours (the leaflet makes the 6.4 km one way) and the leaflet's profile 2 h 40 to the lake. The grade is Moderate on our count.
The leaflet rates the path medium-high 'depending on the season': extra care in the periods with ice and snow, dangerous areas from November to April or May because of snow, blizzards or fog, and equipment for snow and ice in winter; outside those periods it says the path presents no difficulty. Free camping is not allowed, walkers are asked not to leave the path to prevent erosion, fires are allowed only in prepared places and domestic animals must be kept under control.
The Fundación's 'Regulación Plataforma de Gredos 2026' gives regulation hours of 8:00 to 18:00 from October to June and 8:00 to 20:00 from July to September, with a fee of 3 euros for a car for one day; it does not say what the regulation covers.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The Fundación Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León gives the Senda de la Laguna Grande (PR-AV 17) as 6.4 km one way from La Plataforma at 1,760 m, with a continuous climb and some steep sections, 2.5 hours on its trail page and about 5 hours there and back on its leaflet, of medium-high difficulty
- The leaflet gives 390 m of climb from La Plataforma to Los Barrerones at 2,170 m, then 190 m of descent to the Laguna Grande, a glacial lake in the Circo de Gredos
- The leaflet rates the path medium-high depending on the season, says from November to April or May there are dangerous areas with snow, blizzards or fog, and says outside the ice and snow periods the path presents no difficulty
- Free camping is not allowed, and walkers are asked not to leave the path, to prevent erosion
Getting there
Start: La Plataforma car park, Hoyos del Espino. 40.27665, -5.23150
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around La Plataforma car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line is drawn along OpenStreetMap paths and the figures are worked out from it; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.