Bonus route: Maratón Alpino Madrileño

Proof that Cercedilla is a true mountain and trail town, it has its own race, the Maratón Alpino Madrileño or Madrid Alpine Marathon. This essential part of the Spanish calendar welcomes hundreds of participants every year on the trails of the Guadarrama mountain range.

Unlike the other routes in the Collection, this one begins at the official starting point, in the city center. If you want to start and end your trip at the station, this extends your trip by just over three kilometers.

On the first part of the circuit, the trails will be familiar to you if you have completed other routes in the Collection. You have the pleasure of climbing the Pico de Majalasna, which opens the way to the superb Siete Picos. You continue along the extension of the ridge to the Puerto de Navacerrada, where you can treat yourself to a first refueling off-site.

You climb the slopes of La Bola del Mundo without reaching its summit. This is when the environment evolves. You begin a round trip of around twenty kilometers to the roof of the Guadarrama mountain range, the Peñalara. Along the way, you come across other emblematic peaks, such as Hermana Mayor. You discover the trails in both directions, putting your alpine skills to the test both on the descent and the ascent.

If you do not want to go back and forth, once at Peñalara you can continue straight and go down to Laguna de los Pájaros. Then head in the opposite direction to cross the Peñalara cirque and its lakes until you find the official route at the Mirador de la Gitana.

Back at Puerto de Guadarrama, the long final descent towards Cercedilla begins on smoother wooded paths. The bars and restaurants of the city center welcome you with open arms to recharge your batteries.