All the way up high

When: 
Spring
Summer
Fall
Where: 
Spain
Middle
Specific place: 
Madrid: Colmenar Viejo - Rascafría - Cercedilla
Length: 
2 days
Level: 
Demanding
IBP Index: 
71
Type: 
Nature
Group min/máx: 
4-8 people
The Peñalara peak from the Morcuera pass

The Peñalara peak from the Morcuera pass

This is a linear route, lasting 2 days, for advanced cyclists who want to cycle through the highest part of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

In two days we climbed the ports of La Morcuera, Cotos and Navacerrada, the starting and ending points of the famous hike of the Cuerda Larga. The profile of the route will give us the opportunity to know the rebollares and pine forests of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, as well as some of the most special corners of Rascafría. In addition, we arrive and leave by train. All the way up high.

This route runs through the Lozoya River Basin and Sierra Norte, a site classified as SCI (Site of Community Importance) and as SPA (Special Protection Area); and also for the Guadarrama River Basin, a space cataloged as SCI within the Natura 2000 Network.

Scheduled itinerary: 

Day 1.- Transportation to Colmenar Viejo. Pedalada from Colmenar to Rascafría (52 km), and ascent to the Morcuera pass (1796 m) through the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. Visits to the medieval bridge of Soto del Real , the Forgiveness bridge, the monastery El Paular, the Valle del Paular Visitor Center, the Giner de los Ríos arboretum, or the Finnish forest of Rascafría. Lodging.
Day 2.- Pedalada from Rascafría to Cercedilla (36 km), and ascent to the ports of Cotos (1830 m) and Navacerrada (1858 m), through the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. Transportation back home.

The Bridge of Forgiveness in Rascafría over the Lozoya River. In the background, the Monastery of El Paular. Author: Diego Sanz Siguero, CC BY 3.0, low resolution. The Bridge of Forgiveness in Rascafría over the Lozoya River. In the background, the Monastery of El Paular. Author: Diego Sanz Siguero, CC BY 3.0, low resolution.
The chapel of San Blas The chapel of San Blas
Sierra de Guadarrama, thick grove. Author: Benjamín Núñez González, CC-BY-SA-4.0, low resolution. Sierra de Guadarrama, thick grove. Author: Benjamín Núñez González, CC-BY-SA-4.0, low resolution.
More routes around the area: 
Tour de Madrid
More information in the blog (Spanish only): 
Por todo lo alto
Recommended reading: 

Itinerarios básicos para bicicletas de montaña. Por las Sierras de Madrid (1), by Domingo Pliego and Pablo Bueno.

Reservations:

For reservation you should either call previously by phone to Josetxu (+34 644299532) or send us an email to info@bicicletos.org, to verify that there are still free places. We will send you a booking form and instructions for payment at that time.

Prices

Last update: 
12/10/2021

(Final price may vary depending on the availability of accommodation and the update of rates of the different providers.)

Guided route: 
205,00 €
(Minimum group: 4 people)
Self-guided route: 
20,00 €
Customized route: 
105,00€

Different route types are explained in General conditions.

Registration