Navalmedio Reservoir – Our Lady of the Snows

We begin the route at the Navalmedio Reservoir parking area in Cercedilla, ready to explore the northwestern sector of the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares Regional Park. After the successive heatwaves of this summer of 2026, these pine forests have become one of the few cool refuges where walking is still a genuine pleasure.

The profile is gentle: a steady 7.3 km ascent followed by an equivalent descent. A simple, easy‑going route—perfect for settling into a relaxed rhythm.

The first kilometres run alongside the Navalmedio River, which we cross several times as we gain elevation through the Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) forests—the well‑known red pines named for the orange‑reddish tone of their bark. These extensive, unmistakable woodlands are complemented by a lush understory of ferns, adding freshness and texture, while the constant murmur of flowing water provides a natural soundtrack to every step.

We reach the point where the Navalmedio River is born from the confluence of the Matasalgado Stream and the Regato del Puerto. From here, we follow the latter upstream until arriving at the Church of Our Lady of the Snows and the Navacerrada Pass train stop. We continue climbing past the repeater tower and the old ski‑lift structures, heading toward Alto del Telégrafo, though we ultimately stop at the previous mound: Our Lady of the Snows, standing at 1,968 m and crowned by its distinctive metal figure.

After enjoying the views, we retrace our steps back to Puerto de Navacerrada, where we take a well‑earned break for a cold beer. From there, we begin the descent along the power‑line trail, which follows the same valley but along the northern slope, slightly higher than the ascent path. This section leads us across the railway tracks that climb toward Cotos—currently under renovation—near the Riscos de la Majadilla Verde, and from there we descend directly to the Navalmedio Reservoir, where the route began.

A simple, refreshing and thoroughly rewarding hike—perfect for escaping the heat and reconnecting with the red‑pine forests that define the Sierra de Guadarrama. Water, shade, history and altitude come together in a route that leaves you with that unmistakable feeling of having spent an entire day breathing pure mountain air.

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