Moralzarzal: Hiking, Landscapes and Culture

Moralzarzal combines trails through dehesa landscapes with a local history that can be traced through its springs, waterworks and granite. When planning your stay, you can choose from different walking routes based on their length and scenery, while also taking in cultural sites throughout the municipality.

Hiking Trails by Route Type and Landscape

The Dehesa Nueva y Cerca de la Ladera route goes all the way around the Dehesa de Arriba, also known as Dehesa Nueva. Possible starting points include Plaza de Toros and the municipal sports centre. The trail passes through holm oaks, junipers, pines and rockroses. From an elevated viewpoint, the panoramic view extends across the Sierra de Guadarrama and its towns. This route therefore showcases both the vegetation and the views from above.

Another option is the Ruta 10B Moralzarzal–Cerceda: this linear route is 4.4 kilometres long, has a low difficulty level and connects the two towns. It starts beside the car park at the Moralzarzal sports centre. The route enters the Dehesa vecinal and crosses the Arroyo de Fuentidueña near Moralzarzal via a small wooden bridge. Check trail conditions before setting out.

If you are interested in waterways, the Ríos y Riachuelos route follows significant streams and reaches the Regajo de los Mares and the Río Navacerrada. It starts at the junction of Calle de las Erillas and Camino el Benarejo; check the signs at the starting point before your walk. The Cascada del Covacho route also starts at the sports centre and can be done on foot or by bicycle.

Another route leads from the sports centre along the Cañada Real Segoviana to the Embalse de Santillana in Manzanares el Real. The trail along the Cañada Real passes through the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares and through ash dehesa, oak woodland, pastureland and Mediterranean forest. As a historic walking connection, the Camino de Becerril runs between Moralzarzal and Becerril de la Sierra.

Dehesas and Protected Landscapes

More than half of Moralzarzal’s area lies within the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares. The dehesas also give the landscape its distinctive character: the Dehesa Vieja is a Monte de Utilidad Pública with an ecosystem of ash dehesa and oak woodland. The Dehesa de Arriba, also known as Dehesa Nueva, which the route circles completely, and the route along the Cañada Real illustrate different landscape settings.

Springs, Waterworks and Granite

The Fuente de los 4 Caños is one of Moralzarzal’s earliest springs, dating from the early 17th century, and was renovated in 1885. The Atarjeas, a water system built on the slopes of Matarrubia at the end of the 19th century, channelled water to the fountains at Plaza de la Constitución and Fuente de los Cuatro Caños in the town centre. The streams Grande and Peñalagua are named as the water’s source. Sections of the original cast-iron pipe are still visible. The Ruta del Agua presents architecture, stone and water as a legacy spanning several centuries.

Granite is also part of Moralzarzal’s vernacular architecture and features in its main municipal buildings. The chapter house of the convent of the Calatrava nuns has housed the sculptures San Benito and San Bernardo by José Benito de Churriguera since 1980. Both were designated Bienes de Interés Cultural (BIC). Together with the springs and water system, these sites offer insight into different aspects of local history.

Culture and Annual Events

The Moralzarzal theatre has 542 seats and offers a varied programme of theatre, cinema and music for different audiences. The cultural centre has spaces for exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography, as well as culture-related workshops. Film festivals and programmes featuring feature films and short films are also held there. Exhibitions, film titles and event dates may change; check the current programme when planning a visit.

The Plaza de Toros is also an event venue, hosting bullfighting festivals, rock and classical music concerts, sports championships, fairs and Christmas celebrations. Cruz de Mayo is celebrated on 3 May in Parque de La Tejera and is a local public holiday. The occasion centres on a communal country-style meal offered free of charge by the municipality to everyone present. The festival’s origins are linked to a tradition among the town’s quarry workers. Check the annual dates and programme before travelling.

Discover more destinations: San Martín De Valdeiglesias, Majadahonda, Paracuellos De Jarama, Alcalá De Henares, El Berrueco, Lozoya, Estremera, Cervera De Buitrago.

For the broader travel guide: Madrid.