San Agustín Del Guadalix – River Routes and Cultural Heritage

San Agustín Del Guadalix offers different perspectives on its landscape and local history: paths along the Río Guadalix, opportunities to observe nature, and buildings that form part of its religious and water-management heritage. If you are planning a stay, specific route details, architectural features and seasonal dates can help you decide what suits your interests.

Paths along the Río Guadalix

The Ruta del Río Guadalix y Cascada del Hervidero is 6.20 kilometres long, is rated easy and takes about two hours round trip. It is accessible on foot and by bicycle. The route follows the Río Guadalix through riverside woodland and leads to Charco del Aliso and the Cascada del Hervidero. The municipal route information dates from 2012; check trail conditions locally.

A shorter route is the Ruta de la Retuerta, at 4.79 kilometres. It is rated easy and is suitable for bicycles. This information also comes from a municipal guide published in 2012, so you should check conditions locally. The difference in length is clear: the Retuerta route is shorter, while an approximate round-trip duration is also given for the Ruta del Río Guadalix y Cascada del Hervidero.

The Ruta de la Vereda de Correcaballos-Peñarrubias passes through the agricultural and livestock-farming landscape of the southeast of San Agustín Del Guadalix. From Peñas Rubias, there are panoramic views of the town. The route therefore focuses on the landscape and the views.

Landscape and nature watching

The Dehesa de Moncalvillo is a historic holm oak woodland of particular ecological value, covering an area of 1,350 hectares. Another natural feature is Laguna de los Patos, where various species of waterbirds can be observed depending on the season. These include mallards, pintails, gadwalls, teal, coots, red-crested pochards, shovelers, moorhens and pochards. Which species you see therefore also depends on the time of year.

Church and water-management history

The parish church was built in the 16th century in the Purist Renaissance style and stands on the highest hill in the municipality. It has two naves and a rectangular chancel. At the foot of the main nave stands a very slender, square tower made of stone and lime. Stone cornices divide it into four sections.

The Acueducto de la Sima forms part of the original route of the Canal de Isabel II and was built in 1854. Its eight round arches stand above a segmental arch. The arrangement of the Acueducto de la Retuerta is different: there, seven round arches rest on one large lower arch. The two structures can thus be distinguished by their different arch designs.

The Azud del Mesto is a small, currently unused dam on the Río Guadalix. It was intended to collect water to be fed into the Canal de Isabel II distribution system. Check its structural condition locally.

Recurring events

On the third weekend of May, participants carry the statue of the Virgin on foot to her hermitage. They then spend the day in the countryside with their patron saint. The date and the way the day is celebrated make this event different from the routes and buildings.

Religious, cultural, sporting and bullfighting events take place on the third weekend of September. These include the traditional popular race, the Cuesta del Tirón. The programme of individual events varies from year to year, so check the dates before planning your visit.

The Día de San Agustín includes competitions for homemade cakes and tortillas. These competitions recur, but the dates vary from year to year.

Getting there from Madrid

The fastest main route from Madrid to San Agustín Del Guadalix is via the A-1, the Burgos motorway, taking exit 34. Check current road conditions before setting off.

When planning your travel dates, it is worth considering two different patterns: which waterbirds can be seen at Laguna de los Patos depends on the season, while the September programme varies from year to year. Take both into account if nature watching or attending an event is important to your stay.

Discover more destinations: Cercedilla, Coslada, Casarrubuelos, Leganés, Navalcarnero, Santo Domingo, Móstoles, San Martín De Valdeiglesias.

For the broader travel overview: Madrid.