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Laguna de Valdeazores Hiking Route

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Laguna de Valdeazores Hiking Route

From the Las Navas track near the hill of Collado Bermejo, a forest trail leads off to the left and is closed to vehicles by a barrier: this is the start of the route. It is an easy descent through Corsican pines, ferns, ashes, maples, gall oaks, holm oaks, elms, a number of yews and holly trees, where the most characteristic fauna of the area can also be observed. 3 kilometres on from the starting point you will reach the stream known as Arroyo de la Reina, which you must cross in order to rejoin the trail. It is a stream that begins up in the high mountains, and makes its way down through narrow mountain passes.

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NAME OF ROUTE TYPE OF ROUTE
COLLADO BERMEJO TO THE AGUAS NEGRAS RIVER SOURCE Linear (return the same way)
STARTING POINT ALTITUDE (M)

Collado Bermejo: take the Las Navas track towards Rambla Seca from the bridge at the Cerrada de Utrero in Vadillo-Castril. Climb the asphalted track, past Nava de San Pedro, Estrecho de los Perales and the forest house at Fuente Acero (which you will pass on the right) and from there walk up to Collado Bermejo (the track is closed by a gate on a mound to the left); there are normally waste containers on the bend in the track. There are no turn-offs on the track until Collado Bermejo and all the paths are closed to private vehicles.
1555 m
ARRIVAL POINT ALTITUDE (M))
Aguas Negras river source 1302 m
TOTAL DISTANCE (M): 6280 (ONE WAY)
Asphalted or paved sections (m): 0 0% of total
Tracks, forest trails or watercourses (m): 5550 87.6% of total
Footpaths (m): 730 12.4% of total
Drovers' roads/bridlepaths (m): % of total
ESTIMATED WALKING TIME
3 hours 10 minutes (round trip)
TYPE OF TERRAIN (ROCKY, SANDY, ETC.)
Sandy and rocky
TOTAL ASCENT/DESCENT: 324 M
Cumulative ascent 104 m
Cumulative descent 356 m
DIFFICULTY ACCORDING TO ENVIRONMENT, ROUTE, PROGRESS AND EFFORT

ENVIRONMENT: the severity of the natural environment. 2

ROUTE: orientating yourself on the route. 1

PROGRESS: the difficulty of progressing along the route. 1

EFFORT: the amount of effort needed. 3
ACCESSIBILITY
Horseback, bicycle or on foot
MAPS
IGN topographical maps of ANDALUSIA (1:25,000), page 21
WAYPOINTS (IN SEQUENCE OF OUTWARD LEG)

Short Name

Description

Coordinates

Elevation (m)

1

Collado Bermejo

30S
x=514108 y=4197725

1556

2

Laguna de Valdeazores

30S
x=515893 y=4200843

1287

3

Access Point for Panoramic Views on the Other Side of the Dam

30S
x=516026 y=4201027

1286

4

Start of Footpath

30S
x=516019 y=4201888

1264

5

Aguas Negras Reservoir Dam

30S
x=516323 y=4202117

1236

7

Aguas Negras/FEDA River Source

30S
x=516467 y=4201903

1302

6

Access Point for the Tunnels

30S
x=516335 y=4202119

1237

LINKS WITH OTHER ROUTES

Tunnels to the Salto de los Órganos and the Borosa fish farm.
ROUTE DESCRIPTION

From the Las Navas track near the hill of Collado Bermejo, a forest trail leads off to the left and is closed to vehicles by a barrier: this is the start of the route. It is an easy descent through Corsican pines, ferns, ashes, maples, gall oaks, holm oaks, elms, a number of yews and holly trees, where the most characteristic fauna of the area can also be observed. 3 kilometres on from the starting point you will reach the stream known as Arroyo de la Reina, which you must cross in order to rejoin the trail.
It is a stream that begins up in the high mountains, and makes its way down through narrow mountain passes.
At kilometre 4.4 you will come to Lake Valdeazores, the park’s only permanent natural lake. It was formed by a large landslide that blocked the Arroyo de la Reina, and a wall was built at a later stage to contain it in its current shape. From the other side of the wall there is a picturesque view of the entire lake. It is home to surprising lakeside flora and fauna, including most notably mallards, coots and moorhens.
900 metres downstream you will enter a large expanse of boxwood, which opens on to a clearing. The path on the right circles the Aguas Negras reservoir, while the track to the left leads on uphill. The dam was created in order to channel the River Borosa and generate hydroelectric power. As soon as you pass over the dam, turn right and continue along the edge of the reservoir, following a path that will arrive at the Aguas Negras source 300 metres further on. This is where the River Borosa begins, although at times when water levels are particularly high the river is fed by the Arroyo del Infierno stream, which flows out into this area.  This is one of the fastest-flowing river sources in the entire park.
If you turn left after crossing the dam, you can continue along a path that will take you through tunnels that lead to Salto de los Órganos waterfall, the hydroelectric plant, various spectacular ravines and finally the Borosa fish farm, near the Torre del Vinagre Visitors’ Centre and the village of Loma de Mariángela.
ELEVATION PROFILE

POINTS OF INTEREST
MUNICIPALITY/IES

Cazorla, La Iruela and Santiago-Pontones
COUNTY/IES

Cazorla y Segura
NEARBY RECREATION AND SPORTS AREAS
OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST (ARCHITECTURAL, HISTORICAL/CULTURAL AND GEOLOGICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL)

Throughout much of its length the route borders one of the nature reserves within the park: the reserve enjoys the highest possible levels of protection (Grade A), owing to its great environmental significance.

MAP



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