Discover Horcajo De La Sierra: Trails, Nature and Culture

A concise way to explore Horcajo de la Sierra is the Horcajo-Aoslos route along the route of the mills and Bellidas: The 8-kilometre circular route runs in the shade of riverside vegetation for half of its length and passes through the town centres of Horcajo de la Sierra and Aoslos.

When searching for a holiday apartment in Horcajo de la Sierra, you can compare travel dates, room categories and cancellation policies on booking websites. Depending on your travel plans, these details can be weighted differently and viewed side by side for several options.

Routes

The municipal Ruta urbana por Horcajo y Aoslos is intended for getting to know the town centres; including the walks through both town centres, it is 3.5 kilometres long in total, one way.

La reguera y la dehesa de Horcajo begins in Horcajo de la Sierra, is 6 kilometres long, takes approximately 1 hour and 35 minutes, has an elevation difference of 172 metres and has a difficulty level of 2 out of 5.

The Alto de la Pinilla circular route is 16 kilometres long and has a significant elevation difference of approximately 700 metres. It leads to Alto de la Pinilla at an altitude of 1,879 metres; one of six Civil War positions for protecting the Somosierra Pass is located there.

An interpretive route between Horcajo de la Sierra and Aoslos follows the old road from Montejo de la Sierra to Buitrago del Lozoya, crosses the Río Madarquillos at the old bridge and leads to the Poza de las Yeguas.

The Circular del Madarquillos route follows the river through oak stands and riverside vegetation with ash, alder and willow trees. Along the route beside the Río Madarquillos, restored old bridges from Horcajo can be discovered via riverside paths.

Nature

The La reguera y la dehesa de Horcajo route passes through a well-preserved dehesa with Pyrenean oaks, traditionally used as pastureland for livestock and for the sustainable supply of firewood to the town.

The municipal Reguera de Horcajo-Madarcos is approximately 13.5 kilometres long and is considered the oldest surviving structure in the town.

In the municipality of Horcajo de la Sierra-Aoslos, the La Alberca y La Tejera recreation area is located in a natural landscape surrounded by Pyrenean oak forests, with mountain streams along the Río Madarquillos.

Culture and Townscape

The Iglesia de San Pedro in Cathedra is a Gothic church from the 15th century. Its Retablo Mayor dates from the late 15th or early 16th century and is attributed to Juan González Becerril and Pedro Berruguete.

The abandoned settlement of Bellidas has been practically deserted since the 17th century; the remaining ruins are partly overgrown with the surrounding vegetation.

The Fuente antigua is the oldest fountain in Horcajo de la Sierra; the year 1855 or 1899 is indicated above its outlet. For many years, it was the town's most important water source, at least until the old water reservoir was built in 1957.

In the municipality of Horcajo de la Sierra-Aoslos, low buildings made of rustic stone masonry have been preserved; they originated as former livestock barns and shelters for shepherds. The residential houses stand beside old hay barns, stables and other livestock shelters.

The bridge known as Puente Antiguo spans the Río Madarquillos on the old Camino Real and forms part of the Cañada Real Segoviana.

In Horcajo de la Sierra, festivities in honour of San Roque are celebrated on 16 August.

Getting There

From Madrid, you can reach Horcajo de la Sierra via the N-I towards Burgos: either via the Aoslos-La Acebeda exit at kilometre 83 or via the turn-off for Horcajo de la Sierra at kilometre 85.

Other places:Alcalá De Henares, Alpedrete, Alameda del Valle, Valdemoro, Colmenarejo, Villaviciosa De Odón, Villavieja Del Lozoya

For the higher-level travel overview: Madrid.