Forest rangers have stepped up monitoring of visitor activities in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. Surveillance efforts are focused on protected areas within the park, such as the pools at La Pedriza, where swimming has been prohibited (as it is along the entire upper stretch of the Manzanares River) since 2016.
Although the ban is hard to miss (there are signs reminding visitors of it along the river), in 2025 forest rangers issued as many as 20 citations for this reason during the summer. The penalties for these violations should serve as a strong deterrent; fines range from 300 to 3,000 euros, as the Community of Madrid noted in a statement.
The ban on swimming applies to the Manzanares River from its source at the Ventisquero de la Condesa glacier to its mouth at the Santillana Reservoir in Manzanares El Real. The restrictions aim to “protect the environment, promote ecological restoration, and restore the natural values of the upper reaches of the Manzanares River,” as stated by the regional government.
Swimming in areas where it is not permitted poses not only a threat to the flora and fauna of the natural environment but also a risk to safety and health. The dangers are varied: viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites, drowning, cuts, heatstroke…
Restrictions on Vehicle Access to La Pedriza
Also since 2016, there have been restrictions on access to the area by private vehicle, with the aim of controlling the massive influx of visitors to La Pedriza. The goal is to limit the damage caused to the environment by visitor traffic.
In this regard, the number of available parking spaces in the area next to the Canto Cochino Bridge has been reduced to 270, and these are the only spaces expressly designated for parking and where parking is permitted. Once the parking capacity is reached, access is not permitted until one of the occupied spaces becomes available. In addition, from June 1 to September 30, there are specific hours for access to La Pedriza through the entrance checkpoint at the La Camorza barrier:
- Monday through Friday: Access is permitted from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., provided that the daily capacity limit has not been reached.
- Weekends and holidays: access is permitted from 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.; during other times, the gate is closed.
From June through September, it is also prohibited to park vehicles overnight within La Pedriza, that is, between 11:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. the following morning.
Legal outdoor swimming areas in the Community of Madrid
In the Community of Madrid, there are alternatives for those who want to take a dip outdoors in a natural setting without breaking the law. Specifically, there are five areas where swimming is permitted and where water quality is regularly monitored:
- The beaches of Virgen de la Nueva and El Muro, at the San Juan Reservoir (San Martín de Valdeiglesias).
- The Las Presillas pools (Rascafría).
- Alberche Beach (Aldea del Fresno).
- Los Villares Beach (Estremera).