Laguna de Uña

A lake at the confluence

The lake at Uña lies where the Arroyo del Rincón joins the Júcar, between limestone cliffs and pine forests. It covers around 15 hectares since being enlarged for the Salto de Villalba; previously it covered around three. Rich in plants and animals, it is also a water storage basin: the canal linking it to La Toba reservoir and the Salto de Villalba enlarged it, tripling its capacity. When that canal was built is unclear: some sources say 1924 and others the 1960s.

The island that moved

Before the canal, the lake overflowed into the Júcar in a cascade over a natural tufa barrier, and that water powered a flour mill and, until the late 19th century, an ironworks. In 1878 it measured just over two hectares and fifteen metres deep. Its most remarkable feature was something else: in 1611 Sebastián de Covarrubias wrote that in its middle was a floating island, of a porous stone like tufa, with grass and small trees, carried from side to side of the lake by the wind, on which livestock grazed. Mártir Rizo described it in 1642 as a patch of turf more than forty feet in circumference, with grasses and trees, moving over the water. By 1878 it had become attached to one shore. Today only some older residents remember it.

A quiet place

Although partly shaped by people, it retains something wild. There is no boating or sport on it. It is a place to look and listen, with cliffs around it and pine forest reaching the shore.

Plan your visit

The Uña visitor centre, opposite the lake, explains the water and the tufa barrier.

Before you travel

No opening times or access rules have been published: ask beforehand. Do not enter the water or disturb wildlife.

Combine with

The Ciudad Encantada is nearby.