First steps in hiking: A rewarding trail on Madrid´s edge

If someone asks us which route to do near Madrid, this one would definitely be in our top 3 recommendations.

It’s a circular trail starting and ending at Cotos, and we’ve done it under the sun, in the rain, with snow, in both directions, spending the night or just going up to catch the sunrise. You could say we could do it with our eyes closed.

The route itself is easy to follow and not too physically demanding (though it requires a minimum level of fitness). Here’s the track to get you started:

Points of interest along the route:

Los claveles (Mojón Grande in the map): small ponds found about an hour and a half into the hike. Although the route is generally popular, this spot always feels peaceful and quiet.

Cinco Lagunas: our favorite place to camp or rest. It might just be the most special part of the whole route.

Laguna de los pájaros: the most iconic of all the lagoons, and from here you can already see Peñalara Peak, the final goal—unless it’s a cloudy day.

Peñalara: the highest summit in the Sierra, and a very accessible one. That said, in this version of the ascent from Laguna de los pájaros there’s a short section where you’ll need to use your hands, so it’s best avoided in low visibility.

The descent from the peak to the parking area follows a well-marked and more frequently used path. If you go on a day with poor visibility, it’s advisable to ascend and descend on that same side—or simply do the Laguna de los pájaros section without going all the way to the peak.

Here’s a video we made back in 2017 from this route: