My tip“Car access is limited at weekends, so go very early or on a weekday. Swimming in the rivers is not allowed, and there is no phone coverage deep inside, so download the map in advance.”
A maze of giant granite boulders and clear pools beneath the Manzanares el Real castle, just 50 minutes from Madrid. Trails run from an hour’s stroll to Charca Verde to a full-day climb, ideal for a family outing in spring and autumn.
Moderate effort, needs a car
By car (bus 724 to the town, then 3 km). The road closes when the number of cars reaches capacity at weekends. Rocky tracks; the easy Canto Cochino stroll takes 30–60 min, and the summits are demanding. No signal deeper in; a café at the entrance only. Hot in summer.
Address
Calle la Pedriza s/n, 28410 Manzanares el Real, Madrid