Discover the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park

Occupying an area of almost 34,000 hectares of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the national park offers a varied backdrop, with mountains reaching altitudes of over 2,000 metres, vast holm oak forests, steppes, oak groves, pine forests and a wealth of wildlife. If you're lucky, you may catch a glimpse of some of the peninsula's bird species, such as the black vulture, the imperial eagle and the black stork.

Among the mammals, enjoy the spectacle of mountain goats and otters if you get the chance. The Sierra de Guadarrama National Park separates the provinces of Madrid and Segovia and offers one of the best examples of Iberian nature, just an hour's drive from the Spanish capital.

At the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park lies a natural landmark: La Pedriza del Manzanares. This geological formation of granite, shaped by thousands of years of erosion, is unique on the Iberian Peninsula. An exceptional site that is well worth seeing.

Another place of interest to explore in the centre of the national park is undoubtedly the Peñalara massif. Particularly popular with mountaineers and hikers, these remarkable glacial formations create an admirable backdrop of moraines (piles of rocky debris swept along by a glacier), glacial cirque walls, superb basins and extraordinary lagoons.

The Sierra Guadarrama National Park is also home to a number of emblematic buildings. These include the monasteries of El Escorial and Santa María de El Paular, La Granja Palace and Manzanares Castle.

Note that the landscapes of the Sierra de Guadarrama are those that appear in the paintings of great Spanish painters such as Carlos de Haes, Martin Rico, Morera, Beruete and Sorolla.

The Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, also known as the "Sierra de Madrid", has plenty to surprise and delight you. Whether you're a keen hiker, a nature lover or simply want to discover the essentials of Madrid's cultural and natural heritage, the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park will delight you. If you're staying in Madrid for a few days, don't hesitate to come and explore this natural treasure of Madrid!

📍 Location: it's here on Google Maps

👛 Price: you can book a day trip including transport and entry to the nature park for €89/person.

⏰ Times: in order to preserve the nature park, the influx of visitors is regulated. A quota of 270 vehicles parked simultaneously is applied. It is therefore important to check the park's entry and exit times. Overnight parking is prohibited between 11pm and 7.30am the following morning.

👉 Website