A walk from Miraflores de la Sierra to Bustarviejo
Sierra de Guadarrama
In and around the mountains
of Madrid
© Copyright “name”, 2010. All Rights Reserved Created by Stephen Fernandez Osmunda Consulting Made with Xara Web Designer
Fuente Del Cura - Cuerda Larga La Najarra & Morcuera
After the initial 45 minute walk
from the car until you leave the
main track, this is a really
rewarding walk. It only
requires a moderate level of
fitness although it does require
a certain level of stamina. The
walk presents wonderful views
of La Pedriza, there are many
ibex to be found in this area
and in early May when the
gorse is in bloom it is especially
beautiful. It is not
recommended to take this walk
in snowy conditions as
following the track becomes
nearly impossible and if undertaking the walk in summer you need to set off
early in the morning and take along plenty of water. A map of the area is
essential.
From Fuente del Cura follow the main track/road which rises gently to the
south. Follow this track for aprox 2km and park (a good place is where the
track splits in 2 with one dropping down towards the left). Follow briefly the
upper marked path (Green & White
stripe markings), after another 10
minutes there is another fork to the
left don't take it carry on up the main
path (also ignore the path to the
right), after about another 5 minutes
you come to a barrier go passed the
barrier and steadily wind your way up
through the pine forest.
Just after the barrier the path forks
the right hand fork will take you up to
Puerta de Morcuera but for this walk
we want the left hand path (leaving
the route SL02 (green & white
markers behind). After 4.5k you meet
another track coming in from the left ,
this nice little route that comes up
from Soto del Real but not for us today. In a little while there is a turning on
the right ignore that one as well. Shortly the path goes across a cattle grid
and through a dry stone wall, where the trail opens out a bit and you leave the
forest.
Immediately after the cattle grid, take the trail off to the right (note if you
carry straight on you head towards Manzanares and Soto, see the walk circle of
Parque Cuenca Alta de Manzanares). After about 5mins you will pass an
abandoned building on your right. Keep going for another 5 minutes, looking
out for a small path on the right which leaves the path shortly after a stream
and on a right hand bend in the track.
Follow this path as it zig zags upwards through the forest. When you reach a
stream do not cross it, take the path which goes upwards. Eventually you will
reach the end of the forest and come out onto the steep slopes of La Najarra
and the Cuerda Larga. Looking downhill, you can see towards Soto del Real
and the Reservoir of Santillana. To the right is the dramatic scenery of La
Pedriza. In this area it is very common to come across ibex grazing on the
gorse and eagles and vultures riding on the updrafts.
The path continues to climb upwards
zig zagging back and forth (it is
marked intermittently with small
cairns). You will see some bird
watching hides above but note that
the path doesn't take you directly to
them. After a while you cross over a
stream (often dry) and keep
climbing. At times the path can be
hard to make out but just keep
looking for the small cairns.
About 1.5 hours after leaving the
main track, the path eventually
passes back into a small area of
woodland. Carry on through this and then follow upwards along a fire break
(always following the same path). As you reach the top of the ridge, the path
evens out onto a wide area of pasture. Passing over the ridge, the path
intersects with the main GR10 route (with red and white markers). Follow the
path to the right for a short distance.
Here you have two options either Just before the GR10
begins to rise steeply up to the peak of La Najarra straight
ahead, take another that path forks towards the left and
downwards. Follow this track and after about 30-40 mins it
brings you out at the Puerta de Morcuera road. Or if you
are still feeling energetic then turn towards La Najarra the
climb to the top should not take more than about 30
minutes. Here you will find excellent views down towards
Miraflores and also the chance to see more Ibex. The
descent towards the Puerta de Morcuera is straight forward
albeit a little steep in places and shout take no more than
another 40 minutes.
Turn right on the road and, just before the parking, take
the track on the right. Do not follow the main trail!
Immediately after the barrier fork left on the steep path.
After 10 minutes this path intersects with a main trail. Turn
right onto the trail and follow all the way back (1.5 hours). Eventually it brings
you back to the barrier where you originally started the walk.
Total time 6 hours. If you have 2 cars, you can leave one at Puerta de
Morcuera in order to avoid the return back to the starting point thus saving 2
hours.
Sierra de Guadarrama
Time 6 hours (4 if you leave a car at La Morcuera Pass)
Medium Difficulty
Sierra de Guadarrama
In and around the mountains
of Madrid
© Copyright “name”, 2010. All Rights Reserved Created by Stephen Fernandez Osmunda Consulting Made with Xara Web Designer
Fuente Del Cura - Cuerda Larga La Najarra & Morcuera
After the initial 45 minute walk
from the car until you leave the
main track, this is a really
rewarding walk. It only
requires a moderate level of
fitness although it does require
a certain level of stamina. The
walk presents wonderful views
of La Pedriza, there are many
ibex to be found in this area
and in early May when the
gorse is in bloom it is especially
beautiful. It is not
recommended to take this walk
in snowy conditions as
following the track becomes
nearly impossible and if undertaking the walk in summer you need to set off
early in the morning and take along plenty of water. A map of the area is
essential.
From Fuente del Cura follow the main track/road which rises gently to the
south. Follow this track for aprox 2km and park (a good place is where the
track splits in 2 with one dropping down towards the left). Follow briefly the
upper marked path (Green & White
stripe markings), after another 10
minutes there is another fork to the
left don't take it carry on up the main
path (also ignore the path to the
right), after about another 5 minutes
you come to a barrier go passed the
barrier and steadily wind your way up
through the pine forest.
Just after the barrier the path forks
the right hand fork will take you up to
Puerta de Morcuera but for this walk
we want the left hand path (leaving
the route SL02 (green & white
markers behind). After 4.5k you meet
another track coming in from the left ,
this nice little route that comes up
from Soto del Real but not for us today. In a little while there is a turning on
the right ignore that one as well. Shortly the path goes across a cattle grid
and through a dry stone wall, where the trail opens out a bit and you leave the
forest.
Immediately after the cattle grid, take the trail off to the right (note if you
carry straight on you head towards Manzanares and Soto, see the walk circle of
Parque Cuenca Alta de Manzanares). After about 5mins you will pass an
abandoned building on your right. Keep going for another 5 minutes, looking
out for a small path on the right which leaves the path shortly after a stream
and on a right hand bend in the track.
Follow this path as it zig zags upwards through the forest. When you reach a
stream do not cross it, take the path which goes upwards. Eventually you will
reach the end of the forest and come out onto the steep slopes of La Najarra
and the Cuerda Larga. Looking downhill, you can see towards Soto del Real
and the Reservoir of Santillana. To the right is the dramatic scenery of La
Pedriza. In this area it is very common to come across ibex grazing on the
gorse and eagles and vultures riding on the updrafts.
The path continues to climb upwards
zig zagging back and forth (it is
marked intermittently with small
cairns). You will see some bird
watching hides above but note that
the path doesn't take you directly to
them. After a while you cross over a
stream (often dry) and keep
climbing. At times the path can be
hard to make out but just keep
looking for the small cairns.
About 1.5 hours after leaving the
main track, the path eventually
passes back into a small area of
woodland. Carry on through this and then follow upwards along a fire break
(always following the same path). As you reach the top of the ridge, the path
evens out onto a wide area of pasture. Passing over the ridge, the path
intersects with the main GR10 route (with red and white markers). Follow the
path to the right for a short distance.
Here you have two options either Just before the GR10
begins to rise steeply up to the peak of La Najarra straight
ahead, take another that path forks towards the left and
downwards. Follow this track and after about 30-40 mins it
brings you out at the Puerta de Morcuera road. Or if you
are still feeling energetic then turn towards La Najarra the
climb to the top should not take more than about 30
minutes. Here you will find excellent views down towards
Miraflores and also the chance to see more Ibex. The
descent towards the Puerta de Morcuera is straight forward
albeit a little steep in places and shout take no more than
another 40 minutes.
Turn right on the road and, just before the parking, take
the track on the right. Do not follow the main trail!
Immediately after the barrier fork left on the steep path.
After 10 minutes this path intersects with a main trail. Turn
right onto the trail and follow all the way back (1.5 hours). Eventually it brings
you back to the barrier where you originally started the walk.
Total time 6 hours. If you have 2 cars, you can leave one at Puerta de
Morcuera in order to avoid the return back to the starting point thus saving 2
hours.
