Lakes of Covadonga facts for kids
The Lakes of Covadonga are two beautiful lakes located high in the mountains of Asturias, Spain. They sit about 1,134 meters (3,720 feet) above sea level! These lakes were formed by glaciers many, many years ago. Their names are Lake Enol and Lake Ercina.
You can find them in the amazing Picos de Europa mountain range. This area is very special because it was the original center of the Picos de Europa National Park. This park was created a long time ago, in 1918. The lakes are also close to the famous Covadonga Sanctuary.
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The Lakes of Covadonga
The Lakes of Covadonga are a popular spot for visitors. People come to see the stunning mountain views and the clear waters of Lake Enol and Lake Ercina. The area is part of a national park, which means it is protected to keep its natural beauty safe for everyone.
A Famous Bike Race Climb
The road leading up to the Lakes of Covadonga is very famous in the world of professional road bicycle racing. It's been used many times in a big Spanish bike race called the Vuelta a España. This climb is known as one of the toughest and most important climbs in the history of the Vuelta.
The road starts in Covadonga and goes up for 12.6 kilometers (about 7.8 miles). It's a very steep climb, with an average slope of 7.3%. This means for every 100 meters you travel horizontally, you go up 7.3 meters. The hardest part is called La Huesera. It's about 7 kilometers from the top and has a super steep section where the slope is about 15% for 800 meters! Imagine riding a bike up a hill that steep!
The Lakes of Covadonga climb was first used in the Vuelta in 1983. A cyclist named Marino Lejarreta won that first race to the top. In 2023, the women's version of the race, the 2023 La Vuelta Femenina, also finished at the Lakes of Covadonga. The winner of that exciting stage was Dutch cyclist Demi Vollering.
Winners of the Men's Race
Many famous cyclists have won the stage ending at the Lakes of Covadonga. Some of the winners include:
- Marino Lejarreta (Spain) in 1983
- Pedro Delgado (Spain) in 1985 and 1992
- Lucho Herrera (Colombia) in 1987 and 1991
- Laurent Jalabert (France) in 1994 and 1996
- Nairo Quintana (Colombia) in 2016
- Primož Roglič (Slovenia) in 2021
Winner of the Women's Race
- Demi Vollering (Netherlands) in 2023
See also
In Spanish: Lagos de Covadonga para niños
