Top 8 Trails for Hiking Near Madrid and Surrounding Areas

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While Madrid might not have a beach for lazy days in the sun, it makes up for it with mountains, forests, lakes, and hills in every direction. We’ve put together a list of popular and accessible hikes for anyone looking to make the most of the great outdoors near the city and go hiking near Madrid.

For more, also have a look at our article on the 7 most beautiful day trips from Madrid!

1. Peñalara

Possible Trail 1 (Peak and Back): Start: Puerto de los Cotos. Difficulty: Moderate. Length: 6.5km round trip

Possible Trail 2 (Lakes Loop): Start: Puerto de los Cotos. Difficulty: Moderate-hard. Length: 14km round trip

Pico de Peñalara, or the Peñalara Peak, is the highest summit in the region, so if you want to go hiking near Madrid, you can’t miss this one! The view at the top is beautiful, and if you have the lung capacity to keep going after that, the full loop will take you past glacial lakes, forests, and interesting animals like vultures, wild goats, or even Germans.

2. La Pedriza

Possible Trails

Loop to Carca Verde
Start: Canto Cochino
Difficulty: moderate
Length: ~12 k

Loop
Start: Canto Cochino
Difficulty: hard
Length: 21 km

This corner of the Sierra de Guadarrama is full of massive granite formations. They’re the exposed remains of ancient magma that hardened underground and were slowly revealed through years of erosion. Or, for the casuals: big old climbing rock! It’s a climber’s paradise, with more than 3470 (official) boulders spread across the area, and beautiful landscapes to hike across. While you’re in the area, you can also visit Manzanares el Real and its beautiful castle.

3. Siete Picos

Possible Trails

Loop via Camino Schmidt
Start: Puerto de Navacerrada
Difficulty: moderate
Length: ~12 km

Loop to Montón de Trigo
Start: Puerto de Navacerrada
Difficulty: moderate/hard
Length: 15 km

Siete Picos is a massif formed by-you guessed it-seven peaks. The highest of them reaches up to 2138 meters into the sky, where you can have a well-deserved rest after hiking through stunning forests and rugged terrain. The peaks are part of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range and offer a breathtaking panoramic view all along the ridge.

4. Cuerda Larga Ridge

Possible Trails

Linear to Puerto la Morcuera
Start: Puerto de Navacerrada
Difficulty: hard
Length: ~21 km

This route takes you across a whopping nine peaks over 2,000 meters. It’s not for the faint of heart because the hike is quite long, but if you’ve got decent stamina and a good pair of boots, it’s absolutely worth it. The ridge rewards you with stunning views the whole way, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot an eagle soaring by. It’s the kind of hike that’ll leave your legs tired and your camera roll full.

5. La Maliciosa

Possible Trails

Loop
Start: Puerto de Navacerrada
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: ~14 km

La Maliciosa is one of the most iconic peaks in the Sierra de Guadarrama, a popular spot to go hiking near Madrid, standing at 2,227 meters. The hike up takes you past Bola del Mundo, another well-known summit that once broadcast TVE (Televisión Española) across a large part of Spain. The antennas, active from 1959, no longer serve television but still transmit radio signals today. While the views from Bola del Mundo are impressive, they pale in comparison to the top of La Maliciosa. On a clear day, you can spot Madrid in the distance, so don’t forget to give your friends in the city a wave!

6. Canencia Ecological Trail

Possible Trails

Loop
Start: Puerto de Canencia
Difficulty: easy
Length: 6 km

Long Loop
Start: Puerto de Canencia
Difficulty: easy
Length: 12 km

The Canencia Ecological Trail takes you through a mix of lush forests; birch, pine, poplar, you name it. Perfect for the tree huggers and bird watchers among us. There are plenty of routes to explore beyond the ones we mentioned, but if you’re in the area, we highly recommend making a stop at La Chorrera de Mojonavalle. It’s a gorgeous waterfall tucked away in the woods that’s well worth the detour

7. Montaña de El Escorial (Monte Abantos)

Possible Trails

Loop
Start: Puerto de Navacerrada
Difficulty: easy
Length: 7 km

Just above the historic town of San Lorenzo de El Escorial lies Monte Abantos, a peak that rises to 1,753 meters. The trail winds through oak and pine forests, with a couple of viewpoints along the way. Some overlook the El Escorial Monastery, like the Silla de Felipe II, where you can take a seat if you’re very tired and your name is Felipe II. In reality, King Philip II is said to have sat on those steps to watch over the construction of the monastery. It’s one of the most unique views you can see while hiking near Madrid!

8. Lozoya

Possible Trails

Lake Loop
Start: Lozoya
Difficulty: easy
Length: 16 km

Long Loop
Puerto de Navafría
Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 13 km

Lozoya is a peaceful mountain village surrounded by natural beauty, next to the stunning Pinilla reservoir. On warm days, you can take a walk around the lake, with plenty of shady paths and spots to cool off with a swim. If you’re up for more of a challenge, head up to Pico del Nevero, a 2209 meter high peak that offers views of the surrounding valleys and glacial lagoons. Along the way, you’ll come across several scenic viewpoints that make for perfect rest stops and photo opportunities!