At Laguna de Uña, a striking waterscape meets a range of opportunities for hiking and wildlife watching. Around the town, you’ll also find limestone gorges, viewpoints and individual cultural attractions. When planning your visit, it’s worth noting the differences between the routes: some have steep, exposed sections, while others are described as easy walks. This lets you plan your stay around the landscapes and activities that interest you most.
Lagoon, birdwatching and trails
Laguna de Uña covers approximately 15 hectares and lies where the Arroyo del Rincón meets the Río Júcar. Hiking, birdwatching and regulated fishing are possible at the lagoon; check local guidance before fishing. There is also a birdwatching observatory. The circular route around the lagoon starts at Uña’s central parking lot. From Cuenca, the parking lot can be reached via the CM-2105 road.
The Centro de Recepción de Visitantes de Uña is also in the town center, opposite Laguna de Uña and along the PR-CU 37 Sendero del Escalerón y La Raya. If you plan to visit, check opening arrangements in advance. The hiking trail starts in Uña, goes via the Escalerón and returns via La Raya. It offers views of the lagoon, the cliffs and the town; along the way, there is also a chance to see local wildlife, especially griffon vultures. Take care on steep, exposed sections.
Choosing a route and exploring the limestone landscape
Another walking option is the Ruta de las Pozas del Arroyo de la Madera. It is an easy, linear 2.5-kilometer walk, with an approximate one-way walking time of 35 minutes. It starts and ends at the Uña parking lot. Compared with the PR-CU 37, the emphasis here is on the short stated walking time and the easy walk; the description of the Sendero del Escalerón y La Raya focuses on the ascent via the Escalerón, the return via La Raya and the exposed sections.
The Arroyo de la Madera forms small, clear pools in hollows and caves in the limestone before flowing into the Río Júcar. Las Catedrales de Uña are rock walls with narrow passages. These lead from the bottom of the canyon carved out by the Arroyo de la Madera to the summit. For an introduction to caving, the Cueva del tío Manolo is described as an easy cave to explore; visiting it requires an adventure tourism provider.
Hiking and mountain biking routes around Uña pass through pine forests and limestone gorges carved by the waters of the Júcar and its tributaries. From elevated viewpoints, you can look out over valleys, pine forests, gorges, Muelas and Parameras. These landscapes offer a different setting for the trails than the immediate surroundings of the lagoon.
Church, viewpoint and local tradition
The Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel also offers a tangible glimpse into the town’s history: it was built in the 13th century and remodeled in the 16th century. The masonry building has a bell gable and a wooden pitched roof. Another destination is the Ermita de la Virgen del Espinar, a structure surrounded by rock and vegetation. A small path behind the viewpoint at the lagoon leads to it.
From the Mirador del Travertino de Uña, you can view the Cascada Tobácea de Uña. The Fuente-Lavadero de Uña is also near the lagoon; the adjacent grounds include a picnic area. The San Roque festivities on August 16 offer a chance to experience the folklore of the Serranía de Cuenca. If this date matters for your trip, check the festival dates locally in advance.
The Escuela Regional de Pesca Fluvial de Uña offers further insight into the relationship between recreation and water conservation. Founded in 1989, it promotes river fishing as a recreational activity in keeping with the protection and respect of aquatic habitats, and provides information about fishing and river ecology.
Discover more destinations: Las Majadas, Casas de Roldán, Villanueva De La Jara, Mariana, Talayuelas, Alarcón, Olivares De Júcar, Buendía.
For the broader travel guide: Cuenca.
