6 Natural parks near Madrid
Madrid is a unique city but sometimes we need to go out and disconnect from the traffic and pollution of the great capital for a few days. For when you need one of those express getaways to breathe fresh air, we recommend the best natural parks near Madrid.
Hayedo de Montejo
The Hayedo de Montejo Natural Park is located just 100km north of Madrid. It has more than 250 hectares and a very particular microclimate. We can find very varied vegetation such as beech, cherry, birch or oak. To access you must reserve a pass that, although it is free, serves to control the capacity and limit the excessive exposure to which one of the most beautiful and richest natural parks near Madrid could be subjected.
The best time to visit Hayedo de Montejo is undoubtedly autumn. At this station you can see the forest covered in its characteristic ocher color. The best known hiking route is the Senda del Río. It is the route with the least difficulty and there are many schedules available. It lasts about an hour and a half. Do not forget to take into account that you have to reserve a ticket to be able to access and almost all routes are closed during the week. However, the Senda del Río route is available during the week, except on Mondays when the beech forest is closed to the public.
Oak groves of Lozoya
The Robledales de Lozoya Natural Park is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama and is one of the coldest places in the community of Madrid. The average temperature during the year in this place does not exceed 12 degrees, so it is advisable to go hiking with warm clothes.
The pedriza
We continue with the Sierra de Guadarrama. This time just 50 km from Madrid. La Pedriza is witness to streams, cliffs, walls and trails that make its visitors fall in love. The geological features full of asymmetries make this one of the natural parks near Madrid that is most desirable for climbing enthusiasts.
The route of the Charca Verde de la Pedriza is a good option if we want to go gentle hiking or take the children with us. The road is full of waterfalls and waterfalls next to the Manzanares river, leaving Pedriza to one side. At the end of the road we reach the Green Pool. This name is due to the pigmentation of the rocks at the bottom and the reflection of color in the water. This route does not exceed 3,5 kilometers, making it a very comfortable and popular option for those looking for natural parks near Madrid.
Peñalara natural park
The true natural park near Madrid. The Peñalara Natural Park is one of the protected natural spaces in Madrid and is only 70 km from the Spanish capital. It is also found in the Sierra de Guadarrama. Its highest peak, the Peñalara peak, is XNUMX meters above sea level. To go hiking without problems, we will have to go to the Puerto de Cotos where most of the trails begin.
Gullies
Less than half an hour by car from Madrid towards Guadalajara we find Las Cárcavas, a unique lunar landscape. Erosion over thousands and thousands of years has left this beautiful reddish landscape in full view of its walkers. There are numerous trails to discover and they all begin at the El Pontón de la Oliva dam, near the Lozoya river.
The cracks created by water erosion have created one of the most curious geological formations on the Iberian Peninsula. It is made up of a perimeter of 60 meters and a drop of more than 13 meters, which are visible from the same dam of Pontón de la Oliva, located just XNUMX meters from this place. From a blurred path we can skirt the gullies and appreciate this natural setting near Madrid from all possible angles. The most common route is a circular route of about XNUMX kilometers.
Natural parks near Madrid: Sierra del Rincón
This natural space near Madrid It has been listed as a Biosphere Reserve since 2005. The Sierra del Rincón is the perfect place to see those protected species near Madrid such as the golden eagle, the honey buzzard or the short-toed eagle.
The Sierra del Rincón is full of charming towns to visit. Our particular recommendation is La Hiruela, a small town of only 74 inhabitants. It is located on the slopes of Alto de Bañaderos above the Jarama river valley. Its charm possibly lies in the fact that it is the most isolated town in this mountain range and its houses have been restored with care and care.