Madrid Countryside Tour



Most visitors to Madrid spend all of their time within the limits of the Metro’s Circular Line - a shame when you consider that, an hour out of the city, lies one of the most important nature areas in central Spain.

Love the outdoors but still want a good dose of culture and history on a cycling tour? This trip combines the peace and quiet of the Sierra de Guadarrama with some of the area’s most important monuments - the monasteries of El Escorial and Rascafría; the castle of Manzanares el Real and the medieval town of Buitrago de Lozoya, with its city walls and Picasso Museum. Combined with Madrid’s sunny spring and summer weather, and unbeatable fall colours, this is a perfect introduction to attractions and charms that lie outside Madrid’s city limits

Enjoy the memorable Spanish food, appreciate the culture and history of Spain, visit some of the best paintings museums, see wonderful palaces and historic buildings and ride by beautiful roads in a sunny place with a bright blue sky all year around.

Itinerary

Click on a day to see that days itinerary.

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5 DAY 6 DAY 7

Day 1 Madrid-Soto del Real (MADRID)
Guests are met and taken by van to the town of Soto del Real. If you arrive a day or two early, we will meet you at your hotel in Madrid and transfer at 13H00 (1pm). If you arrive at the airport, we will transfer you directly. Once we arrive at the hotel and have had a chance to unpack, we'll have a welcome drink, fit your bikes and provide you with the road book and maps for the tour. Dinner on your own afteward.

PRADO REAL HOTEL

3

Soto del Real

The Izan Prado Real hotel is located in Soto Del Real, the northern part of Madrid. It is set inside...

Day 2 Soto del Real-Buitrago del Lozoya 50 kms.
Some small hills. 300 mts ascent. Passing through the town of Torrelaguna (one of the oldest settlements in the area, with some interesting Renaissance palaces and churches), the route continues through small villages and hamlets on its way to Buitrago de Lozoya. Nestled on the banks of the Lozoya Reservoir, the town is extremely popular with Madrilenos who come for the restaurants and to stroll through the narrow streets and along the battlements of its walls. (Buffet breakfast included daily; lunches and dinners on your own)

Hotel Los Canchos

3

Buitrago

This hotel is set in the charming and historic town centre of Buitrago del Lozoya, to the north of M...

Day 3 Buitrago de Lozoya-Rascafria 35/50 km. Rolling terrain. 200 mts ascent.
Today's route follows the Lozoya Valley along the southern flanks of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range to the town of Rascafria, home of the El Paular Monastery, founded in the fourteenth century. The monastery's architecture reflects the hodge-podge of cultures which have invaded this part of the country - everything from Gothic to Baroque. (B)

Hotel Barondillo

Rascafria

Having a romantic design this hotel near of Rascafria, it will enable its guests to find everything ...

Day 4 Rascafria-Escorial - 48 km.
One climbing. 700 mts ascent, then a long downhill ride.
We start the morning with a leisurely climb to the south face of the Guadarrama mountains. From the Navacerrada Pass (great for photo opportunities!) there's an amazing ride down through some mountainside villages to the town of San Lorenzo del Escorial. Built between 1563 and 1584, the Monastery of El Escorial was the biggest building of the Renaissance period. (B)

Los Lanceros

3

El Escorial

Hotel Los Lanceros is situated in the center of San Lorenzo de El Escorial placing it at the heart o...

Day 5 Escorial-Soto del Real 38 km. 150 mts. ascent.
From El Escorial, we travel through some of the towns on the southern slopes of the mountains. As we approach Soto, we'll pass through (and visit, if time permits) the Castle of Manzanares el Real - which, despite appearances, is an authentic fifteenth-century castle, owned by the Duke of Santillana and leased to the Madrid region. For cyclists who'd like a bit more time in the saddle, there's the opportunity to head into and explore the La Pedriza Nature Reserve.(B)

PRADO REAL HOTEL

3

Soto del Real

The Izan Prado Real hotel is located in Soto Del Real, the northern part of Madrid. It is set inside...

Day 6 Soto del Real - MADRID
43 Km. on slight downhill.
In 2005, motivated by the needs of cyclists who wanted to go to the Sierra but who didn't want to have to use their cars, the Madrid regional government opened a 40 kilometre-long bike path that links the sierra with the city. We'll use it to return to the city, savouring the expansive views over the plains, and be back in town by lunchtime to give guests the chance to explore more of Madrid on their own.

Day 7 DEPARTURE
After breakfast, end of the trip.

 

 


Virtual Tour

See more of this region by clicking below for the virtual tour

Accommodation:

Bike 115 euros: [Click for image]
Touring Bikes - ORBEA mod. Elorrio 24 speed, Shimano Deore group with repair kit Panniers, handle bar bag and helmet 5 euros each
Aluminum Road Bikes - JAMIS Ventura Elite-Comp. 54 and 56 cm, 18 speed. Shimano Tiagra-105 group

GT series three. 50cm. Shimano Tiagra group 9 speed
Macario 55 cm. Full Shimano 105 10spd group

Also, cromoly road bikes 52 to 59 cm. Group Tiagra CT

Tour Highlights

- The natural park of Guadarrama.
- Buitrago’s surprising Picasso Museum, a collection of artwork shown by the artist’s late barber, Eugenio Arias.
- Views out onto the plains of Castile and Madrid on a sunny, clear day.
- The lofty, vast halls of the Monastery of San Lorenzo del Escorial.
- The scenic routes and the best of Castilian cuisine - hearty roasts, good wine and fresh bread.