The Albacete hiking route to discover a spectacular crystal-clear lagoon
Castilla-La Mancha is a perfect region in Spain for enjoying quality rural tourism. It's often a destination for weekend getaways looking to disconnect from the big city. The province of Albacete is home to some truly natural places. Throughout its land, you can discover charming villages and natural spaces along unique hiking trails .
One of them leads to Laguna del Arquillo . This spectacular lagoon is a perfect place to get lost during the warmer months. In fact, it's safe to say that our ancestors used to spend time here, as natural caves with Paleolithic paintings are found around it. Another interesting fact: legend has it that its waters are bottomless.
The route to Laguna del ArquilloThe lagoon is located in the Albacete village of Masegoso . This is where the route to visit it begins. You'll need to take the road to the village of El Jardín . From there, you'll join the Vía Verde, a route that is completely accessible on foot or by bicycle. The circular route, which is approximately 16 kilometers long, is very simple. It starts from the village's rest area and leads to the lagoon itself.
Although it's an easy trail, it has some elevation gain of about 226 meters. The route takes between 4 and 5 hours , depending on your pace. Many people also access the site by car. To do so, follow the signs for "El Jardín al Monumento Natural Laguna del Arquillo" and reach the fork. There, take the path on the left to reach your destination.
Once you reach the lagoon, you can see the spikes of water and the water lilies floating in the water. It's a natural habitat for the San Antonio frog and the Leprous Turtle. Its ecosystem is reminiscent of other areas such as the Ruidera and Uña lagoons. As the Repsol Guide explains, this town is practically "a reserve surrounded by riparian forest and groves, perfect for rainbow trout fishing."
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