PENA TREVINCA:
Memories of a trail that today burns
In 2018 I did one of the Pena Trevinca routes that I remember with great intensity. It was about 15 km, and the first steps went through trees, shade, and greenery, accompanied by the murmur of the water and that freshness that made the walk easier. But then, as you climb, the trail opens up under the sky. The view changes: the scent of blooming gorse, the oaks dotting the landscape, and a natural richness that amazes you.
.
Halfway through we stopped by a stream to rest and have something to eat. Almost from the very beginning of the hike, I already felt a certain pain in one hip, which gradually increased as the effort of climbing also grew. For a moment I doubted whether I would be able to reach the end, but I was sure it was worth continuing. The reward was waiting further up: the Pena Trevinca lagoons. Arriving and seeing them was a magical moment, one of those that makes all the effort and fatigue transform into satisfaction.
.
.
The Trevinca lakes you will find on this route, Laceira, Carrizais and Ocelo, are part of a high mountain ecosystem full of life and contrasts. They are glacial water mirrors that appear like hidden treasures among peaks and rocks, places that amaze with their calmness and natural value. Reaching them feels like giving meaning to the journey: they are the clearest proof of how nature knows how to reward effort with beauty.
Laceira Lagoon
Laceira stands out for its serenity and the sense of stillness it conveys. Its calm surface reflects the sky and the surroundings, creating a landscape that invites you to stop time and simply observe.
.
.
Carrizais Lagoon
Carrizais takes its name from the vegetation that grows on its banks, giving it a more untamed character. It is a space full of life, where nature reveals itself as close and accessible.
.
.
Ocelo Lagoon
Ocelo surprises with its location, nestled among mountains. It is one of those places where water and stone seem to dialogue in harmony, offering a unique and powerful image.
.
.
I didn’t get as far as the Serpe lagoon, I preferred to leave that visit for another time. But from that day I took away a very clear lesson: sometimes you have to fight against your own limitations, because the reward of reaching the goal is much greater than you imagine.
Today, remembering that experience, I feel especially hurt. Pena Trevinca is suffering the effects of a wildfire that has devastated much of its natural surroundings. The flames even reached the highest peak in Galicia (2,127 m) and threaten the Teixedal de Casaio, a forest of millenary yew trees of incalculable value.
.
It is not another wildfire. A unique natural space is burning, a heritage and landscape landmark, part of our identity. Behind every step, every lagoon and every corner I admired on that hike, there is memory and future. It is something we should care for and preserve with all the seriousness it deserves.
Let this post serve as a small tribute to the residents of this region that surprised and charmed me so much and who, over the last few days, fought the fire with their own hands and their own resources to protect this treasure.
Let it also serve as a reminder that these are unique places that we must respect, care for, and preserve with all the seriousness they deserve.
For the sake of everyone, I hope that Trevinca can recover from this great wound as soon as possible.
Come on, Trevinca! I'll be back...
Photos: ©Juan Carlos Asorey
Professional photography can make a difference in how your projects are perceived. If you want images that convey professionalism, quality, and impact, I’m here to help. Get in touch, and let’s see how we can bring your vision to life through photography.