Although it is the city with more inhabitants in Spain, nature in Madrid is not scarce. The city is one of the cities with more trees and more green areas in Spain. But in addition to the well-known and centrally located parks such as the Retiro or the Western Park, there is also that mountainous and somewhat diffuse entity known to the locals as “la Sierra”, which holds many of the natural jewels described below. Not to mention the numerous reservoirs, marshes and lakes that provide some relief from the lack of beaches in summer.
Luckily, going out in search of nature near Madrid is not a complicated task: the region is home to charming natural places just a few kilometers from the capital, making them an ideal choice for a one-day or weekend getaway with family or friends. And this list is proof of that.
1. La Pedriza Natural Park
La Pedriza Regional Park is one of the most popular areas of the Sierra de Guadarrama and one of the natural parks near Madrid preferred by climbers and hikers. They come attracted to this berrocal on weekends for its walls, cliffs and crags that make up a unique landscape in the orography of Madrid.
Although there are many routes of varying difficulty, it is important to get information before setting out on the trail, especially in the colder seasons of the year. In summer it is a good time to cool off with the water of the Manzanares River, which runs through one of the most typical enclaves of nature near Madrid.
65 kilometers from the center of Madrid
2. Waterfalls of Purgatorio
We continue in the Sierra de Guadarrama, within the municipality of Rascafría, where we find this waterfall that nature gives us in Madrid. To reach the waterfall you have to walk a very simple path that starts at the Paular Monastery and has a distance of about 6 kilometers . On the way you can also enjoy the Arboretum Giner de los Rios, which is a deciduous forest that has several species of trees from around the world.
75 kilometers from the center of Madrid
3. Chorrera de los Litueros
In the town of Somosierra is located La Chorrera. The highest waterfall in the Community of Madrid is just an hour and twenty minutes from the capital. Here you can see how the water from the springs of the peaks ends up resurging between the giant rocks, forming the waterfall. The route is almost two kilometers, round trip, is signposted and begins in Ermita de Nuestra Señora de la Soledad.
102 kilometers from the center of Madrid
4. El Atazar reservoir
In the Sierra Norte is located this reservoir an hour from Madrid, it is also known for its enormous size as ‘The sea of Madrid’. It is part of the Canal de Isabel II and is surrounded by the so-called Mancomunidad del Embalse de Altazar, which includes such distinguished villages as El Berrueco. There are several hiking trails depending on the difficulty and duration we want, although there are some historical points to consider, such as the Arab Watchtower and the Roman bridge. Undoubtedly, a mandatory stop if you are looking for charming natural places near Madrid.
75 kilometers from the center of Madrid
5. Peñalara Lagoons
The Natural Park of Peñalara is another of the places to visit in Madrid in nature: it houses the highest peak of the Sierra de Guadarrama and a series of lagoons of glacial origin. There are hiking trails for all levels, but to enjoy the lagoons you will not have to go through complicated sections. Among the small lagoons, two stand out: the Laguna Grande de Peñalara and the Laguna de los Pájaros. The first, above in the photo, is the most visited and has the most accessible route of about 6 kilometers round trip.
120 kilometers from the center of Madrid
6. Hervidero Waterfall
Near San Agustín de Guadalix, in the middle basin of the Jarama, is one of the great surprises of nature in Madrid. The Cascada del Hervidero waterfall is surrounded by a landscape worthy of being walked, the circular hiking route, which is suitable for all levels. Along the way there are also some waterfalls and wooden bridges, making the landscape a bucolic stamp that takes us away from the city despite the short distance to the capital.
55 kilometers from the center of Madrid
7. Santillana Reservoir
The Pantano de Santillana is also known by the name of Manzanares del Real, although the reservoir is located between that municipality and the municipality of Soto del Real, also next to the Sierra de Guadarrama. This is an ideal place for walking, but also for photography lovers, fishermen and ornithologists. It is also worth visiting the 15th century castle, which is the best preserved in the Community of Madrid, making it one of the most charming natural places near Madrid that will also satisfy those with historical concerns.
49 kilometers from the center of Madrid
8. Port of Canencia
An hour and a quarter from the capital we find this treasure of Madrid’s nature, a birch grove with stream included. Puerto de Canencia is full of waterfalls and hiking trails, but the best known is the Chorrera de Mojonvalle. The area is also full of pines and deciduous oaks that help to create this autumnal landscape. In addition to the routes, it is a good opportunity to visit the municipality that gives its name to the port and do some local tourism within Madrid.
63 kilometers from the center of Madrid
9. The Fuenfría Valley
Cercedilla cannot be overlooked when we talk about nature near Madrid. The valley is composed of minerals of all kinds, a wide variety of fauna and of course a large pine forest. In addition, you can find Roman roads, natural pools and waterfalls along the route, which even coincides with part of the Camino de Santiago within the Community of Madrid.
64 kilometers from the center of Madrid
10. Picadas Reservoir
In the foothills of the Sierra de Gredos is this reservoir of 92 hectares, raised on the Alberche River in 1952. It is, along with the adjoining Embalse de San Juan, one of the most frequented by bathers in summer for its inland beaches. It is also well known for its greenway bike routes and canoeing tours.
60 kilometers from the center of Madrid
11. Las Cárcavas
The route to Las Cárcavas begins at the Pontón de la Oliva dam, right on the border between the Community of Madrid and Guadalajara. This protected landscape -similar to what we can find in the Barrancas de Burujón- is formed by the upward erosion of water on land with little vegetation.
To reach them there are two paths: one short, about two hours, with a large initial slope, but more direct to the Cárcavas, and another longer and circular, designed to spend the day.
At 79 km from the center of Madrid.
12. The Finnish forest
In Rascafría, one of the coldest villages in Madrid, there is a spot of birch, poplar and fir trees that has been nicknamed the Finnish forest. It has a small pond that helps to create this Scandinavian-looking landscape, with jetty and log cabin included, which is right in front of the Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de El Paular. The walk along the Lozoya River is simple and has a special charm in every season of the year thanks to the deciduous trees that surround it.
82 km from the center of Madrid.
13. La Herrería Forest
The Herrería forest surrounds part of the monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. It is well known for one of its routes: that of the chair of Philip II, a seat-shaped stone on top of a hill from which the myth says that the king of Spain saw the works of El Escorial. The reality is that it is a Vetón altar modified in the last centuries.
It has an area of 497 hectares and is part of the Natura 2000 Network as a Site of Community Interest and Special Protection Area for Birds.
It is 56 km from the center of Madrid.
14. Barrancas de Burujón (in Toledo)
The Barrancas de Burujón are an impressive natural site formed by the erosion of water and wind over 25 million years. Its spectacular reddish gullies, compared to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, make this place an ideal weekend excursion.
Declared a Natural Monument in 2010, it offers easy and accessible hiking trails, with panoramic views that can provoke awe in visitors. Although it is only accessible by car or bicycle, its proximity to Toledo and its beauty make it a privileged destination, always under the premise of taking care of the natural environment.
90 km from the center of Madrid.
The region holds many charming natural places near Madrid that would surprise the most incredulous for its proximity to the bustle of the capital, but they are also part of the local culture. And without a doubt, some of the most accessible plans to escape the city without having to travel many kilometers. In addition to learning more about the history of the area, it is a way to do sport, it is a good opportunity to take the bike without fear of traffic or to learn to ride a canoe, there are options for almost all levels.