La Sierra de Guadarrama.

At 50 km from Madrid we find the mountain-chain Guadarrama, better known as the Sierra de Madrid, hopefully becoming a national natural park in the near future. The district is one of the areas with most unique nature and culture in Madrid´s region. The high peaks, the glacial cirques, the well grown forests, rocks and stones with their particular forms, all make it a delicious experience. La sierra de Guadarrama is a mountain range in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula with his highest peak Peñalara reaching 2428m. The vegetation is characterized by an abundance of pine forest, oaks and Holm oaks in the lower levels. It´s a very old mountain system, older than the Pyrinees, Alpes or Himalaya. Peñalara has got small cirques, carved glacial lakes and moraines. The Valle de la Fuenfría featuring one of the better preserved wild pine forests of the mountains. La Pedriza has got a special landscape, it´s noted for its enormous rock formations and walls of granite displaying unusual and eye-catching configurations. There are lots of routs to cross the territory and a paradise for climbing.

At the foot of these mountains, little villages or cities are lying, showing their history or monumental beauty.

Segovia, the little city where Medieval and Renaissance styles are melted with the roman aqueduct . In 1985 the Unesco named Segovia as a world heritage site.

San Lorenzo del Escorial, Philip II of Spain ordered the designing and building of this austere renaissance monastery and royal palace, built between 1563 and 1584. It´s situated at the foot of the mount Abantos (1753m).

On the other hand, La Granja has got a versaille beauty. The summer place for the Bourbons with beautiful versaille style gardens and fountains, his forest reach the Peñalara peak.

Madrid, clearly be able to seen from the mountain peaks, is a beautiful and special city full with entertainment. Next to the Atocha Railway staion, 1 hour and 20 minutes from the house, you´ll find three of the most important museums of Europe, El Prado, Reina Sofia and El Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum.

Other interesting places are La Cartuja del Paular in Rascafria and the medieval village Pedraza.