Schmidt Trail
One of the most popular hiking trails in Madrid, even for those who are unfamiliar with it. It is located in Puerto Navacerrada, where every good Madrid Sunday tourist has gone to spend the morning at some point, especially if it has snowed. It takes its name from the Austrian hiker who marked the route in 1926.
This classic trail in the Guadarrama mountains begins at the Escaparate ski slope, heads towards Puerto de la Fuenfría, crosses the forest on the shady side of the Siete Picos and from there you have to descend along the Roman road to Fuenfría de Cercedilla. It is a medium-difficulty hike, very accessible, and can be reached by train from Atocha on the C8 line of the Madrid Cercanías commuter train service.
🚶♀️ Distance: 16 km
El Cancho de la Cabeza in Patones
This route is worthwhile for several reasons, in addition to getting out into the countryside to clear your head. Patones de Arriba is one of the most beautiful villages in the Madrid mountains, and the climb to Cancho de la Cabeza offers a panoramic view of the El Atazar reservoir that is well worth the effort of the route’s incline.
🚶♀️ Distance: 12.5 km
Lozoya River Gorges
The Lozoya River canyons are possibly one of the most beautiful and least traveled hiking trails in Madrid. It is an easy hike, but quite high in some sections. The trail begins at the remains of the Pontón de la Oliva Dam, the oldest in the region and now in disuse.
This area is also ideal for rock climbing thanks to the cliffs of the Lozoya River. As the name suggests, the route follows the course of the river, although at times we also come across the Jarama River. Between the two rivers there is an interesting detour to visit the Roman site of Dehesa de la Oliva, a bonus for those interested in history.
🚶♀️ Distance: 8 km
Laguna del Campillo
The Campillo Lagoon is located in the Parque del Sureste, 20 kilometers from the center of Madrid, in the town of Rivas Vaciamadrid. It is an easy excursion and perfect for children. It has an artificial lagoon that was created by seepage from gypsum extraction. It is located in a wetland area near the Manzanares River and flows into the Jarama River. Although it was once farmland, it is now a protected area due to its floral diversity and its importance for native wildlife.
🚶♀️ Distance: 4.5 km
Las Cárcavas de Pontón de la Oliva
The Cárcavas route also begins at the Pontón de la Oliva dam, right on the border between the Community of Madrid and Guadalajara. It has two routes: a short one, about two hours long, with a steep initial climb, but more direct to the Cárcavas, and a longer, circular one, designed for a day trip. This protected landscape, which can also be found in the Barrancas de Burujón, is formed by the upward erosion of water in areas with little vegetation cover.
🚶♀️ Distance: 12 km
⏱ Duration: 3.5 hours.
Canencia ecological trail
The trail starts at Puerto de Canencia, hence its name, and is located in the Sierra Norte de Madrid. The entire route is very well signposted, perfect for spending the day, and there is an area for eating. One of its great attractions is the varied vegetation ; the king of this forest is the birch, which is more common in central and northern Europe. There is also holly (very popular at Christmas) and yew, which is specially protected due to its uniqueness and scarcity.
🚶♀️ Distance: 6 km
⏱ Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes.
Route to the Herrería forest (Felipe II’s chair)
The Herrería forest is a very easy route, steeped in history and tradition. After a steep climb, you reach the chair, carved into the granite, from which King Philip II supposedly supervised the construction of El Escorial. In reality, it is a Vetton altar that has been modified over the centuries. The trail still has a religious aspect, with a procession of the Virgin Mary pulled by oxen to the Ermita de la Virgen de Gracia chapel every second Sunday in September.
🚶♀️ Distance: 4.5 km
⏱ Duration: 2 hours.
Senda del Cancho de los Muertos (La Pedriza)
La Pedriza could not be left out of the list of notable routes. Specifically, the Cancho de los Muertos or Camposanto route, which also has an element of fable and mystery because it was a regular refuge for bandits in the 19th century, some of whom died tragically. The route is circular and starts at Canto Cochino. The trail is not complicated, unless you want to climb the Cáliz or the Cancho itself, in which case you will need climbing equipment.
🚶♀️ Distance: 6.5 km
⏱ Duration: 3 hours.
The Cenicientos rock
As its name suggests, it is a steep descent, so although it is not a long route, it is more difficult for this reason. The Cenicientos rock is a well-known hiking route, both for the village that gives the rock its name and for Cadalso de los Vidrios, which is where we must head to start the route. On the way, we will come across the reservoir known as La Alberca, a mandatory stop for rest and recreation.
🚶♀️ Distance: 10 km
Loma Bailanderos
From Bailanderos, there are several routes you can take. One is Hoyo Cerrado, which is an easy trail around the only glacial cirque in the upper part of La Pedriza. If you prefer a more demanding route, one of the most difficult in the Madrid mountains, you can start at Puerto de la Morcuera. The views from the 1,792-meter-high peak will be well worth the effort.
🚶♀️ Distance: 16 km
Las Dehesas de Cercedilla
Las Dehesas de Cercedilla is one of the most important forest areas in the Community, and a perfect starting and ending point for hiking trails in Madrid, as well as an ideal place for a picnic. Among the many things to visit in the area are the Roman road, the Poetas viewpoint, the Cela clock, the La República road, and the small waterfalls known as La Ducha de Los Alemanes (you can see the exact route to the waterfall on Wikiloc) . It is an easy, circular route, perfect for a morning walk.
🚶♀️ Distance: 11 km
Ruta del Puente de la Angostura
The route that runs near the Arroyo de la Angostura stream is especially pleasant in autumn and spring because of its birch trees and wild rose bushes. It is an almost linear walk crossed by streams and different bridges, two of which are historic. The first is the Perdón bridge, with its Baroque design, where, according to local custom, it was traditional for prisoners to be able to request a review of their case. After crossing the Las Presillas recreational area, continue along a path marked with wooden posts bearing the initials RV-1, follow the Pradillo dam and, an hour later, you will reach the bridge that gives the route its name.
🚶♀️ Distance: 6 km
⏱ Duration: 3 hours.
La Bola del Mundo
From the Navacerrada pass, there is an easy (albeit steep) path that climbs up to the Bola del Mundo, popularly known as such, although its official name is Alto de las Guarramillas, which offers spectacular views of the mountain. If you prefer a slightly longer hiking route, there are two that start from here: La Maliciosa, which is quite steep, and La Cuerda Larga, one of the longest and most difficult.
At the top, you can see the red radio and television antennas that are visible from many points in the mountains. Nearby is also the Ventisquero de la Condesa, where the Manzanares River begins.
🚶♀️ Distance: 4 km
Peak of Mount Abantos
Mount Abantos is one of the highest peaks in the Guadarrama mountains, at an altitude of 1,753 meters. The ascent route begins at the Luis Ceballos Arboretum, where you can also take guided tours to see the 200 species of trees and shrubs representative of Spanish forests. Along the way , you will also find the Hayedo Escondido, a reforestation project carried out by students from the School of Forestry Engineering in the 19th century. From the summit, the views of the Monastery of El Escorial are perfect for admiring the size and beauty of the architectural complex.
Several factors make this route one of the most unique on the list. The first is the fact that the Hayedo de Montejo de la Sierra del Rincón is one of the southernmost beech forests in Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2017. The second is that, precisely because it is a Protected Natural Area, the number of daily visits is limited.
Advance reservations for this guided tour can be made online, through their website, or in person, and are always free of charge.
It is a short trail with a gentle slope that, to a certain extent, can even be done with a baby stroller. These large deciduous trees reach their peak of color in autumn, but this natural environment is worth a visit at almost any time of year.
🚶♀️ Distance: 2.4 km