Laguna Negra Trail

The first day, the very well-marked route departs from La Plataforma trailhead, the last place to leave your car before adventuring into the Sierra. The trail ascends for 3.5 kilometers through a very well-kept route that is frequented by day hikers. After the 3.5 km mark, you will get to a viewpoint from which to admire the valley below and spot the iconic Spanish Ibex that live in these mountains.

After the viewpoint, you will leave the day hikers behind and start your descent towards the “Laguna Negra” or Black Lake. The trail descends for another 3.5 km, following the left side of the lake until the very end, when the route steers right to get to the Refugio Laguna Grande mountain hut. Dip your feet in the water and enjoy the surroundings before a family-style mountain hut dinner and a well-deserved rest.

The second day brings two possibilities: hike back where we came on the first day (7km) or adventure through a route that will take you past abandoned grazing areas, a hanging bridge, and some unmanned emergency shelters (13km).

To take the second route, you will pass the mountain hut and continue bordering the lake in the opposite direction from yesterday, to follow the river down. You will cross the river several times as it starts to get bigger and begins to form a gorge. After the hanging bridge, you will abandon the glacial landscape to walk the last kilometers through pastures and grazing areas where you will find dispersed shepherd shelters in different states of abandonment. This route is not as well-marked and prepared as the first route, so it is essential to use a combination of maps, GPX, and common sense. The red-white and yellow-white marks of long-distance trails will lead you through a path that is 90% of the time unmissable.

The best time of year to hike the Laguna Grande trail is in summer and early September, as that is also the mountain hut’s mail-opening period. Summers are often dry and very warm, so pack accordingly and bring enough water and sunscreen.

Evenings and mornings in the highest parts of the trail can be chilly. The hut doesn’t have a dry room in the summer, so pack extra socks. Always check the forecast before starting the day or consult with the hut warden.

Either trail runners or mountain boots are fine for this hike. Bring enough water, sunscreen, and a sun hat for the Spanish heat. A power bank and a paper map will be your allies in case the solar panels in the hut haven’t produced enough energy to charge all phones.

Navigating the route is easy via GPX. However, keep your eyes peeled for the path on day 2, as it is less well-marked than on day 1.

The trail is of medium difficulty, combining easy, well-prepared paths with clear signage, with narrow paths and rocky terrain where it’s essential not to lose orientation. Good shoes are a must, but warm and sturdy hiking boots are not a necessity, as a good trail shoe will also do.