Madrid walks

Madrid has all the trappings of a great capital city: museums and masterpieces, including Picasso's famous Guernica, beautiful avenues, the royal palace, parks and economic dynamism. But paradoxically and fortunately, it hides other treasures, village atmospheres, charming neighbourhoods, and the beautifully redeveloped banks of the Manzanares River. Madrid is full of energy and is as lively at night as it is during the day. But in the morning, it will reveal itself to runners, who will almost feel as if it is there just for them.

A challenging route due to the length, but not complicated technically. Although it finishes in a different place to where it starts, there is a bus that connects Manzanares el Real to Soto del Real (720). The Pedriza is an area popular with walkers but especially with rock climbers.

This is a simple walk in one of the most beautiful areas of the Sierra de Guadarrama, beginning and ending in the historical town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. The route is designed to go past the old snow wells that were created in the 17th century and go around the Pico de Abantos.

The Sierra de Guadarrama, north of the capital city Madrid, is part of Spain's Central Mountain System. The highest point is Peñalara, standing at 2,428 metres (7,966 ft) above sea level. This is a collection of walks that reveals the diverse nature of this range of mouintains, partly within a National Park, sometimes climbing to the highest peaks, sometimes meandering through the villages and valleys. Most routes are circular and many can be reached with public transport.

The small rural village of Bustarviejo offers plenty of places to explore, but the highest peak is Mondalindo (also known as Cabeza del Cervunal). This circular route begins with a straight forward climb to the rocky outcrop that is the Cancho del Mondalindo and La Almohadilla. The route down is a bit less clear, next to the stream de las Ferminas.

The Puerto de Cotos is easily accessible from Navacerrada or from Rascafría, and there is ample parking space. The route is simple at the beginning, but becomes complicated after crossing the Arroyo de los Cerradillos. The path is almost invisible in the overgrown vegetation but is easily navigated as it's mostly low heather, rock rose (cistus) and Pyrenean broom (Cytisus oromediterraneus). Although the map doesn't show any path, there are animal trails through the vegetation but you will have to navigate over the terrain, using the track to keep you on the route. There are also a number of National Park signs that will guide you along the edge of the Guadarrama National Park. The descent follows a stream, the Arroyo de Hierro, to reach the forest track. From there, the walking is easy and returns along the rushing stream Arroyo de las Guarramillas, passing by the Socrates Pool.