Parque Natural Cumbres, Circo y Lagunas de Peñalara
The Parque Natural Cumbres, Circo y Lagunas de Peñalara is worth visiting for its natural beauty, which stems not only from its mountaineering tradition or the spectacular beauty of its landscapes (that hold the remnants of ancient glaciers), but also in the natural treasures it possesses that make it a unique spot deserving of the protective category of 'Nature Park.'
In terms of flora, the landscape’s most striking feature are the enormous pine trees that encircle the park: 340 species of plants grow in this area. Moreover, 130 of them are unique either because they are rare or because their existence is threatened.
In terms of fauna, there are numerous invertebrate species registered in Peñalara, as well as amphibians. Its ten species make it one of Europe's most important high mountain zones in this respect. The variety of birds is also notable. Within the park's limits, 97 types of birds have been counted; 79 of them are protected, such as the black vulture, which has one of its most important nesting areas here.
In addition to the beauty of Peñalara park, visitors will enjoy the surrounding areas, which are in themselves tourist attractions with beautiful landscapes, such as the nearby locality of Rascafría in the valley of El Paular. In this typical town, set in Madrid's northern mountains, visitors can enjoy long walks through an area of great natural beauty. Barely two kilometres from the town centre lies the El Paular Monastery, an old religious compound displaying the mix of architectural styles common in the 15th century. The monastery’s history is quite agitated, and the place was eventually converted into a Benedictine monastery sharing space with a hotel. Facing the religious compound is the puente del Perdón (the Bridge of Forgiveness), an 18th-century structure surrounded by a series of loops, paths and recreation areas which are ideal for enjoying nature, as well as an environmental education centre that supports research and sharing of knowledge with respect to the natural environment and the traditions and culture tied to rural areas.
Date of declaration as a Nature Park: 1990
Area of park: 798 Hectares
Annual number of visitors: 135,000
Address: Puerto de Cotos. Township of Rascafría in the Sierra de Madrid.
Phone number: 91 852 08 57
How to get there: Take the N-1 (which will take you inside the mountain range) and exit at Rascafría.