talk to you about what to do in Manzanares el Real It means proposing plans in the middle of nature. But also encourage you to enjoy beautiful monuments and exquisite cuisine. And all just fifty kilometers by road from Madrid.
In its surroundings, you have beautiful hiking or biking trails and places to practice climbing. On the other hand, his long history has bequeathed to us wonderful constructions that recall a brilliant past. And its numerous restaurants offer us dishes that are as filling as they are tasty. For all this, we are going to show you what to do in Manzanares el Real.
Practice climbing in La Pedriza
La Pedriza, one of the jewels of Manzanares el Real
Manzanares el Real is located in the upper basin of the homonymous river, in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. As if this were not enough, it is considered the gateway to the natural monument of The Pedriza, which is included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
Geologically, La Pedriza is defined as a monolithic batholith. This name is given to large masses of granite rock formed by the action of tectonic movements. But, in more colloquial terms, the important thing is that this area of about three thousand two hundred hectares has great geological value. And, as if that were not enough, with its cliffs, walls, streams and fields, it has enormous landscape interest.
It is also a perfect place for you to practice climbing, especially in the area of The Helm. You will find places for your sport like Bone, the bird, Undercarriage, The turtle o The Chinese Wall. Even if you have never climbed, you can start this discipline in Manzanares el Real, since there are various schools. For more information about them, you can go to Visitor Center of La Pedriza.
Enjoy nature and walk
One of the hiking routes to do in Manzanares el Real
However, if you prefer to practice quieter sports, you also have them among what to do in Manzanares el Real. In fact, its surroundings are riddled with hiking trails with different difficulty. Not in vain, it is one of the largest municipalities in the entire community of Madrid and more than half of its lands are natural spaces.
The own Cañada Real Segoviana It passes through the area and numerous paths start from it. But, among the best hiking routes to do in Manzanares el Real, we recommend the Quebrantaherraduras trail, which goes to the recreational area of pigsong. It is approximately eight kilometers long, is relatively simple and allows you to appreciate pine and cypress forests.
We also advise you the route that goes to the Charca Verde, one of the most popular pools in Manzanares. EITHER the Maesa path towards the already mentioned Yelmo. In this case, it is somewhat difficult due to the unevenness of the terrain, although it allows you to observe capricious and spectacular rock formations.
Finally, another interesting route is the one that goes to the Collado de la Dehesilla. It starts from Cantocochino and crosses pine forests, scrublands and rocks. Also, in its four kilometers in length you will find places like the Court of the Deadthe mountain refuge Giner of the Rivers o The Tolmo. In this case, the route is classified as medium difficulty, but it also offers incredible views.
Dedicate yourself to mountain biking
Snowy road near the Collado de la Romera
Another sporting activity to do in Manzanares el Real is the Mountain biking. There are numerous routes with different degrees of difficulty. You have them flat, in which you will pedal without complications. But you will also find others that go up to the tops of mountains. However, in any case, you will also enjoy extraordinary landscapes.
Perhaps the most popular route is that of Las Zetas de La Pedriza. It starts and ends in Manzanares and is almost thirty-seven kilometers long. Therefore, it is circular and this allows you to do it only partially. Because it is somewhat demanding from a physical point of view, although not technically. In any case, if you do it, you will visit places as beautiful as the Shepherd's Hill, the rest area where the path to The Nava or the already mentioned Green Pond.
Birdwatching in the Santillana reservoir
Santillana Reservoir, where you can observe numerous species of birds
Perhaps you prefer to dedicate yourself to quieter activities such as fishing or therapy. . These practices are also among what to do in Manzanares el Real. Please note that this villa is located on the shores of the Santillana reservoir, built at the beginning of the XNUMXth century to take advantage of the waters of the Manzanares River. It has an area of more than a thousand hectares and a maximum distance between shores of four kilometers. Therefore, it is a large area of huge ecological value.
The reservoir is surrounded by oak and ash forests, as well as areas of juniper, torvisco, lavender and rockrose. But, above all, it is home to numerous species of birds throughout the year, although there are others that nest on the way. Among the most abundant are black and white storks, Royal Owl, kingfisher, gray heron, booted eagle or black vulture.
It is no coincidence that the surroundings of the reservoir are classified as Important Area for Bird Conservation. Likewise, among the places of observation, the one used by the naturalist stands out. Felix Rodriguez de la Fuente hidden behind an ash tree. The City Council of Manzanares has created, precisely, the Felix Tree Route, which takes you to that area to observe bird species.
This tour consists of two parts. The shortest is about three kilometers, while the longest is six and a half. But any of them offers you a wonderful journey through the banks of the Santillana reservoir. And, above all, it allows you to contemplate numerous birds in their natural habitat. Even the Tourist Office has organized a gymkhana for the little ones.
Know the wonderful monuments of Manzanares el Real
Castle of the Mendoza in Manzanares el Real
What to do in Manzanares el Real does not end with its beautiful natural environment. As we said, this town has a long history that is reflected in the monuments from different eras that you have kept His heritage ranges from cave paintings to churches through medieval castles. We are going to show you the main ones.
Precisely, the great symbol of Manzanares is the Mendoza castle. It was built by order of Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, First Duke of Infantado, at the end of the XNUMXth century, It is an impressive building with a square plan with four towers at its vertices and two galleries on octagonal columns. In addition, it is surrounded by a barbican with arrow slits. It is considered the best preserved in the entire community of Madrid and houses a museum of spanish castles. Also, you can see it at theatrical visits.
You can also see the remains of an older castle from Muslim times. On the other hand, the church of Our Lady of the Snows It dates from the beginning of the XIV century, although it was profoundly reformed one hundred years later. Combine the Romanesque and Gothic styles, but the portico, built later, is Renaissance. It has three naves separated by columns and its presbytery is pentagonal. As for the tower, it has three bodies and in its garden you can see mortuary stelae from the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries.
Already in full nature, you have the Hermitage of Our Lady of the Peña Sacra, built at the end of the XV. And, crossing the Manzanares river, you will find the medieval bridge of the Cañada Real Segoviana. However, we also advise you to visit the Town square, where you will see the Houses of the Town Hall. It is believed that they were built by order of the Great Cardinal Mendoza in the XNUMXth century and were used as a prison. very close is the Parador. This was the name given to the complex that served as accommodation for the workers of the paper mill installed in the area at the beginning of the XNUMXth century.
Finally, in the archaeological-industrial complex of meadow bridge you have the remains of mill of the eye, dated at the beginning of the XVII. However, better preserved is the priest's mill, which worked until the sixties.
Taste the delicious gastronomy of the area
A plate of caldereta de cabrito
The exquisite cuisine of the area is based mainly on the meats from their magnificent livestock. Among the dishes that are made with it, we recommend you try the grilled grass-fed beef, kid stew or Rabbit In Marinade. But also the roasted slurry or the stewed partridge.
However, you can also savor magnificent fish recipes made with those caught in the Manzanares. For example, you have them with carp or pike as main ingredients. Also, they are very tasty. Potatoes in the cauldron and stewed soup with mint. Finally, as for the desserts, you have to try the pout. It is made with flour, sugar, milk, oil, diced bread, lemon peel and aniseed.
Lastly, if it's the weekend and you feel like taking a walk after lunch, you can visit the craft market, which recovers the artistic traditions of the area. It has about forty stalls and is held on Saturdays and Sundays.
In conclusion, we have shown you what to do in Manzanares el Real. Few towns so magnificently combine natural beauty and heritage monuments. If you add to all this its delicious cuisine, you have all the ingredients to visit this beautiful villa on the Region of Madrid.