PEDRIZA DEL MANZANARES

Gigantic labyrinth of granitic rocks shaped by erosion over 47 500 ha. To drive by car from Manzanares, continue towards Cerceda. At 1 km after the village exit, the road shown on the right goes to the entrance to the natural park and then to the parking lot of Cante Cochino. From Manzanares, a small road follows the course of the river Manzanares. To access it, cross the bridge and take the small path on your right. Unfortunately, many waste and lack of maintenance make this journey a little pleasant. Nevertheless, you walk on the GR 10 marked by combined yellow, white and red marks. It passes through the Peña Sacra hermitage (beautiful view of the village) and the Camorra Gorge. You then enter the chaotic world of granite to the place named Cante Cochino. At Cante Cochino, the two bars also serve cheap meals in a "fraternal and mountain" atmosphere. The PR 2 trail gently takes you to the Giner hut in the Peluca meadow in half an hour. Since UNESCO declared the Pedriza Biosphere reserve, the number of authorized vehicles is limited to 500, but there is really no time for the weekend and the hikers are not especially late.

Paths through the Pedriza are well reported. The large granite blocks are called el Pájaro (the bird), el Hueso (the bone) el Camello (the camel). There is a map of the area published by Desnivel.

Two areas are available for picnic (tables and benches, barbecues, children's games, fountains and garbage cans). Also a campsite (Tel +34 91 853 01 20) whose name, the Ortigal means "dirt dirt" and does not invite to rest! The accommodation is summary, the prices are reasonable.