Discover the Monte El Pardo natural reserve

Published on March 23, 2024 at 8:00 am

If you're looking for an opportunity to get some height close to Madrid's urban area, take advantage of one of the Community of Madrid's unspoilt areas. The Monte El Pardo site, located in the district of the same name, is a nature reserve of immense ecological value that extends over the districts of the Spanish capital. In addition to its rich flora, Monte del Prado is home to the Royal Palace of El Pardo, also known as the Palacio de la Zarzuela, where most of Spain's monarchs spend several holidays a year.

This site of great natural, landscape and cultural interest, bathed by the River Manzanares, is also a haven for many animal species. Here's a presentation of this must-see during your stay in Madrid, along with all the practical information you need.

The sun rises over the Monte el Pardo site.

Summary

Monte El Pardo: a must-do activity
What can you do from or near Monte El Pardo?
Practical information

Monte El Pardo: a must-do activity

Located to the north of the capital, just 15 km from the city centre, El Monte El Pardo is an ecological and biological reserve considered to be the most important Mediterranean forest in the Community of Madrid and one of the best preserved in Europe.

It covers an area of 15,821 hectares and is home to centuries-old elm trees on the fertile plain on the banks of the Manzanares. Among the trees and shrubs, you can admire some of the local wildlife, such as the imperial eagle, black vulture, roe deer and wild boar.

Monte El Pardo Palace

What can you do from or near Monte El Pardo?

As well as the must-see Palacio d'El Pardo, you can take advantage of the two hiking trails on Monte El Pardo: the Penarrubia nature trail and the Valpalomero nature trail. These two signposted trails cover just over 4.5 km and offer a chance to discover the flora and fauna endemic to the reserve.

For further information, visit the official Patrimonio Nacional website.

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Practical information

When is the best time to visit the Monte El Pardo site?

Like any other nature reserve in the heart of the Iberian Peninsula, spring and autumn are particularly good times to enjoy all the treasures on offer. However, the variety of flora and fauna at Monte El Pardo makes it a site that can be visited all year round.

How do I get to Monte El Pardo?

Located fifteen kilometres north of Madrid, Monte El Pardo is easily reached from the city centre by car via the M-607. The journey takes just over thirty minutes. For those travelling by public transport, take the ALSA 713 bus from Plaza Castilla in Madrid to the Cuartel Militar El Goloso stop. The rest of the way to El Monte del Pardo is a four-kilometre walk.

Where to eat near El Monte de Pardo?

As a protected natural site, you can of course quench your thirst and eat snacks during your visit. For a bite to eat, don't hesitate to drop into one of the inns in the Prado district, such as El Torreón restaurant in El Pardo or Terraza Casino Mingorubio. It's the perfect way to enjoy a Madrid speciality after a day out in the countryside.

by Editorial Team

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