Fuente de Piedra: Lagoon, Flamingos and Culture

The Laguna de Fuente de Piedra has been a nature reserve since 1989 and covers 1,354 hectares.

It is the largest nature reserve in Andalusia and is considered one of Spain’s most extensive and characteristic endorheic complexes.

Nature

The Laguna de Fuente de Piedra is designated as Special Area of Conservation (ZEC) ES0000033 and as a Special Protection Area for birds (ZEPA).

More than 170 bird species can be observed at the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra.

Sightings depend on the season and the water level.

Under favorable conditions, the flamingo breeding colony on Isla de Senra in the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra can be observed during the spring season.

The inland viewpoint and nearby trails offer extensive views of the wetland.

From the Laguna de las Palomas observatory, visitors can observe birds that live in the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra.

Flamingos are ringed at the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra annually in summer.

This gives visitors the opportunity to learn about the birds and conservation work in their habitat.

Visiting

The José Antonio Valverde Visitor Center features an interactive exhibition on flamingo ecology.

It also has a shop, a rest area and accessible facilities for all visitor groups.

The interactive exhibition complements outdoor observation with information about flamingo ecology. The shop and rest area are also part of the visitor center; the accessible facilities are intended for all visitor groups.

Trails

The Las Albinas linear hiking trail is 2,660 meters long one way and takes about an hour.

The trail has a low level of difficulty.

Las Albinas runs around the northern area of the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra.

The hiking trail ends at the de la Vicaria bend.

The Las Albinas hiking trail can be reached via the Seville–Almería A92 motorway, exit 132.

From there, follow the signs to the lagoon.

The El Laguneto hiking trail can be reached via the A92, exit 132.

The signs lead through Fuente de Piedra to the lagoon and then along the Camino de los Arenales to the José Antonio Valverde Visitor Center.

A circular cycling route around the Laguna de Fuente de Piedra follows roads around the lagoon.

It allows stops at the de la Vicaria and Laguna de Cantarranas viewpoints.

Other places

You can also discover these destinations on their own pages: Vélez-Málaga, Sierra de Yeguas, Malaga, Benaoján, Cártama, El Burgo, Torremolinos and Cuevas Bajas.

Culture

La Ureña is a local festival in Fuente de Piedra and is celebrated every year on October 31.

The water from the La Fuente de la Piedra spring was believed to have healing properties.

It was recommended for “stone disease” (urinary stones) as well as other illnesses.

The La Noria necropolis is rare in Andalusia.

To the overarching travel guide: Málaga.