Viewpoints

From the different viewpoints scattered throughout emblematic locations of the National Park, it is worth to contemplate scenic landscapes not only from the Park, but as well from the Peripheral Zone. If the weather conditions allow it, Madrid City might be also seen.

The viewpoints usually have an “orienting aid” and/or an explanatory board in order for the visitors to understand and learn the place names of the landscape they are watching.

Rascafría

Los Robledos Viewpoint

Spectacular viewpoint and monument dedicated to the Forest Guards First Centenary. The access is through a paved detour from the M-604 road direction Los Cotos, slightly before getting to La Isla recreation area. A parking lot is available. From that natural promontory, the views of El Paular intermountain valley are just splendid. The valley is bordered by the Mounts Carpetanos and Cuerda Larga, with the Peñalara massif at the back. It is one of the most remarkable natural viewpoints of the whole Lozoya Valley.

La Gitana Viewpoint, Los Cotos Pass

It is an easy accessible viewpoint from the Puerto de Los Cotos railway station, and from the same name parking lot. At the viewpoint, a large stretch of Cuerda Larga can be contemplated. There is as well a sundial allowing learning the solar time, and an “orienting aid” dedicated to the poet Federico García Lorca in order to facilitate the surrounding heights identification. Slightly earlier, and just in front of the Peñalara Visitors Center, is located as well El Príncipe viewpoint. Desde este mirador también hay una excelente perspectiva de la cuerda larga y la cabecera del Valle del Lozoya.

Manzanares El Real

Quebrantaherraduras Viewpoint, La Pedriza

The viewpoint is easily accessible in about 100 m through the path PR-M16 direction Sierra de los Porrones, detour taken at the Quebrantaherraduras track, located at La Pedriza road. At this point, the panorama opens to the captivating La Pedriza landscape, one of the larger Europe granitic ensembles. From a Peripheral perspective it is possible to observe Los Porrones north slope, La Maliciosa summit, La Bola del Mundo, Cuerda Larga ridge and La Pedriza Posterior and Anterior. At the viewpoint, you may contemplate Cuerda Larga ridge, La Pedriza Posterior with a cirque shape, La Pedriza Anterior crowned by El Yelmo, and slightly emerging, La Camorza Gorge where runs the Manzanares river looking for its exit to the reservoir.

El Collado de los Pastores Viewpoint, La Pedriza

From the last Canto Cochino parking lot, at the end of La Pedriza road, the viewpoint is accessible through the forest path Las Zetas, after a zigzagging 5 hours hike. An alternative and more direct option is to leave Las Zetas path after 3 km and take Los Chorros del Río Manzanares path, just before The French Bridge (Puente de los Franceses), and up to The Manchegos Bridge (Puente de los Manchegos), and then to climb through the path the last km up to the viewpoint. At this point, you may overlook one of La Pedriza densest pinewoods extensions, La Maliciosa summit, Los Porrones ridge, Cuerda Larga rounded heights, La Pedriza abrupt landscape with its whimsical forms, and at the bottom the Santillana reservoir leading to the Castilian meseta.

Navacerrada

Las Canchas Viewpoint

Las Canchas is La Barranca Valley viewpoint. It is accessible after an hour and half or a 2 hours hike, from the parking lot located at the end of the paved path issued from the M-607 road at 57 km, just after the Navacerrada entrance roundabout. After about a 20 minutes’ walk from the parking lot, there is a panel at the left side indicating the Ortiz Path (Senda Ortiz) detour, climbing the slope. After crossing a watercourse and reaching a wide meadow, the Ortiz path continues to the right joining the itinerary initial forest path and leading to the viewpoint 1 km further. At the spot it is possible to contemplate with an astonishing proximity the antenna at Las Guarramillas Peak and the ridge spread out from that summit up to La Maliciosa Peak.

Cercedilla

Los Poetas Viewpoints

From La Fuenfría Valley parking lots, and following the orange spots at the trees, you may access to the Vicente Aleixandre and Luis Rosales viewpoints. In 1984, year of Vicente Aleixandre’ death, it is inaugurated at La Fuenfría Valley the viewpoint after him. Following the poets path, all of it chiseled with poems of Antonio Machado and José García Nieto among other, you will reach the Luis Rosales viewpoint. From those viewpoints it is possible to observe the Siete Picos wall, the Marichiva Col, La Peñota, Montón de Trigo, part of the narrow gauge train railway, and especially a panoramic view of many Sierra villages such as Guadarrama, Los Molinos and Cercedilla. Also might be contemplated Navalmedio and Valmayor reservoirs, El Escorial mounts and the City of Madrid on clear days.

El Lanchazo, La Calva or De La Reina Viewpoint

It is possible to access the viewpoint from La Fuenfría pass, descending La República road about 800 m. Another option is to ascend about 8 km through La República road, from the Majavilán parking lot.

It is a La Fuenfría Valley emblematic viewpoint, visible from many spots of the Valley, due to its wall built on stone and the also stone enormous longboat (Lancha). That is why it is also called “El Lanchazo”. Spectacular views of the whole La Fuenfría Valley can be observed, and as well its characteristic upside down bag shape. It is also possible to see some other Valley spots, like La Fuenfría Hospital or La Peñota, Peña Aguila and Marichiva heights.