Peñalara Subida

PROS: astonishing views | well preserved | kind staff | free parkingnCONS: none

Beautiful mountain ranges just about an hour away from Madrid center. You can take the bus from Moncloa and you will be able to enjoy hike, walk or picnic with family in this area.

A winter wonderland. Families around enjoying the snow ❄ufe0f

Crowd at weekends, arrive early or late,. Awesome views

Peñalara is the highest mountain peak in the mountain range of Guadarrama, a subsection of Spain's larger Sistema Central mountain chain which lies at the center and divides the Iberian Peninsula. Straddling the provinces of Madrid and Segovia, Peñalara reaches a height of 2,428 metres above sea level. A possible origin for the name Penalara is, Pen or Ben (as in Ben Nevis, mountain in Scotland) and Allah (ancient name for the Moon ) and Ra (ancient name for the Sun )[according to whom?]. It is the mountain of the Moon and the Sun. Consequently, it is one of the most emblematic and important peaks of the Guadarramas.The eastern section of the mountain lies in the municipality of Rascafría in the province of Madrid, belonging to the Valle of Lozoya, and its western section is located in the Valle of Valsaín in the province of Segovia. The peak's summit is a designated natural park known as the Parque Natural de Peñalara, which features several small lakes and some steep escarpments.The outline of Peñalara is rounded, displaying few underhangs. The hillsides of this mountain are covered with different types of vegetation, depending on the elevation. Largely undisturbed oak tree groves are found at an elevation of 1,000 to 1,300 metres. From 1,100 metres to 2,000 metres, the slopes are dominated by wild pine forests. From 2,000 metres up to the summit, the vegetation consists of more sparsely distributed, low-lying bushes particular to high elevations. The animal habitation of the mountain is made up of small mammals, a large variety of insects and various bird species such as eagles and vultures.