Becerril De La Sierra: Nature, Trails and Culture

Nature

The Ruta de los Almorchones offers views of the Navacerrada Reservoir and passes through oak forests and Mediterranean vegetation. There is a recreational area along this route near the Presa del Baño. The Embalse secreto de Majalespino is considered a natural attraction in Becerril de la Sierra.

The Ruta de Becerril al Telégrafo passes through Cabeza Mediana at an altitude of 1,331 m to the Torre del Telégrafo. Its route through a shady pine forest is accompanied by panoramic views of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The Ruta desde Becerril a la Maliciosa is a challenging ascent to the 2,227 m-high summit of La Maliciosa and leads into the high-mountain vegetation of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

The Ruta desde Becerril al Alto del Hilo leads to the 1,267 m-high summit of Alto del Hilo. The route ends with a 360-degree panorama over Becerril de la Sierra and Navacerrada. Within Becerril de la Sierra, it connects with the Madrid section of the Camino de Santiago.

The Ruta de la Romería is a short, easy circular route to Raso de los Enebros that can also be cycled. It crosses the Zalailla and Angostura streams, whose banks are lined with vegetation and provide a habitat for amphibians such as frogs and toads. At Raso de los Enebros, there are tables and benches along the Ruta de la Romería for resting. Paragliding and hang-gliding activities are also offered in Becerril de la Sierra.

Culture

The Paseo Urbano por Becerril de la Sierra is a cultural heritage walk through the town that visits six of its most representative architectural monuments. Information panels are installed at each monument. The Museum of Becerril de la Sierra is not permanently open to the public, but it can be visited virtually by video.

In the original town centre of Becerril de la Sierra, small squares from its former structure as a livestock-farming village have been preserved. Traditional rural houses include single-storey buildings with masonry walls and roofs of Arabic tiles on wooden structures. At the end of 2012, a small museum opened in Becerril de la Sierra with photographs, household items, everyday objects and tools from the past two centuries.

The Torre del Telégrafo belonged to the Madrid–Irún telegraph line, which opened in 1846. La Noche en Vela is a cultural event held annually on the second Saturday in July. It includes music, dance, cinema, poetry, crafts and books. The Romería de la Cruz de Mayo takes place on 1 May at Raso de los Enebros.

Local Insights

The guided visit experience at the Gabarrera brewery includes a tasting of three craft beers. The third stage of the Camino de Madrid between Manzanares El Real and Cercedilla can include a tasting of craft beers at the Gabarrera brewery in Becerril de la Sierra.

To the main travel overview: Madrid.