📍 Spain

GUADARRAMA: MOUNTAIN CASTLES AND ALPINE FOREST VALLEYS

Castle stone glows golden granite, peaks pierce blue sky, wooded valleys echo deep silence. Guadarrama is mountain through and through.

≈ 5
Days
131
Km
5
Stops
📖 3 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Manzanares el Real castle, Navacerrada pass, Cercedilla, Rascafría monastery, Buitrago del Lozoya. Sierra de Guadarrama, mountains at Madrid's doorstep.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Manzanares El Real

fortress castle golden granite

Manzanares El Real - Photo 1Manzanares El Real - Photo 2Manzanares El Real - Photo 3Manzanares El Real - Photo 4Manzanares El Real - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Mendoza Castle — well-preserved fortress.
2
La Pedriza — granite chaos (regulated access).
3
Walk along the Santillana reservoir.
🎯

Activities

→
Hike to the Pedriza viewpoints.
→
Bird of prey observation.
→
Picnic by the water.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 16 km
Travel time: 19min
2
Day

Navacerrada

alpine pass snow winter

Navacerrada - Photo 1Navacerrada - Photo 2Navacerrada - Photo 3Navacerrada - Photo 4Navacerrada - Photo 5Navacerrada - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Navacerrada Pass — trail departures.
2
Viewpoints over the Cuerda Larga.
3
Mountain pines and alpine meadows.
🎯

Activities

→
Hike to Siete Picos.
→
Panoramic chairlift (depending on season).
→
Hot chocolate at the refuge.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 28 km
Travel time: 34min
3
Day

Cercedilla

village hiking trail gateway

Cercedilla - Photo 1Cercedilla - Photo 2Cercedilla - Photo 3Cercedilla - Photo 4Cercedilla - Photo 5
5 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Valle de la Fuenfría Interpretation Center.
2
Roman roads and dense forests.
3
Natural viewpoints.
🎯

Activities

→
Hiking on the Calzada Romana.
→
Forest bathing (shinrin-yoku).
→
Panoramic return by Cercanías train.
4
Day

Rascafria

monastery verdant forest valley

Rascafria - Photo 1Rascafria - Photo 2Rascafria - Photo 3Rascafria - Photo 4
4 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Monastery of Santa María del Paular.
2
Monks' Bridge and Purgatorio waterfalls (nearby).
3
Pine and birch forests.
🎯

Activities

→
Walk to the waterfalls.
→
Forest wildlife observation.
→
Tasting of valley products (honey, cheeses).
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 29 km
Travel time: 35min
5
Day

Buitrago

river bend medieval preserve

Buitrago - Photo 1Buitrago - Photo 2Buitrago - Photo 3Buitrago - Photo 4Buitrago - Photo 5Buitrago - Photo 6Buitrago - Photo 7Buitrago - Photo 8Buitrago - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Medieval enclosure on Lozoya meander.
2
Picasso Museum (Eugenio Arias collection).
3
Fortified bridges and gates.
🎯

Activities

→
Tour of the ramparts.
→
Boat ride on the lake (depending on season).
→
Tapas in Plaza de la Constitución.
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 58 km
Travel time: 1h10

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🛡️ Travel advice - Spain

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (April-June): Perfect weather, mild temperatures, blooming landscapes, ideal for sightseeing, moderate crowds, excellent value.

Fall (September-October): Comfortable temperatures, fewer crowds, harvest season, perfect beach weather, cultural activities, good prices.

Summer (July-August): Hottest weather, peak beach season, highest prices, very crowded, festival season, intense heat inland.

Winter (November-March): Mild temperatures south, cooler north, fewer crowds, lowest prices, cultural attractions, ski season Pyrenees.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 4 and 6 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Spain?

Passionate culture with flamenco, incredible cuisine, and diverse regions from Catalonia to Andalusia. Experience Moorish architecture, world-class museums, and vibrant festivals. The country offers beautiful beaches, historic cities, and excellent transportation. Spain provides cultural richness with culinary excellence and artistic heritage in accessible European destination.