Somosaguas: Nature, Fossils and Culture

In Somosaguas, nature, palaeontology and culture offer different focuses for a trip. When planning, it is worth distinguishing fixed features, such as trail lengths and the fossil site, from time-specific offerings, such as exhibitions and events. This lets you first decide which topics interest you, then check dates for specific programmes.

Nature, Trails and Environmental Activities

You can cycle in Parque Forestal de Somosaguas. Botanical, health-related and ornithological trails can be explored on foot or by bicycle. Senda de la Antequina is a 2.5-kilometre trail in Parque Forestal Adolfo Suárez. Ruta Verde Parque Forestal Adolfo Suárez is 12.7 kilometres long. At 2.5 kilometres, Senda de la Antequina is considerably shorter than Ruta Verde. The latter starts at the Campus de Somosaguas stop on the Metro Ligero—a specific landmark for planning your route.

The Aula de Educación Ambiental is near the park entrance. Hospital de Plantas offers advice, technical information and training for volunteers. The offerings therefore range from trails with botanical or ornithological themes to advice and training related to plants.

Palaeontology on Campus

The Somosaguas palaeontological site is on the campus of Universidad Complutense de Madrid. It contains vertebrate fossils that are about 14 million years old. The university’s Department of Palaeontology offers, among other things, open days associated with excavation campaigns on Campus de Somosaguas. If you plan to attend one, check the latest event dates.

Gallery, Events and Library

Sala de Exposiciones VOLTURNO, in the Prado de Somosaguas area, serves as a municipal art gallery for exhibitions and has a projector and a conference room. The event centre at Espacio Cultural Volturno (c/ Volturno, 2), also in the Prado de Somosaguas area, hosts festivals and themed event series. If you want to visit a specific exhibition or event, check the programme and dates.

The municipal Volturno Library in the Prado de Somosaguas area was renamed Biblioteca Benito Pérez Galdós in 2021 and is part of the municipal library network. An older municipal overview lists family book workshops, reading sessions, language conversation groups and employment-related activities among the network’s offerings. Check the current programme before visiting.

In 2026, the second Palm Sunday procession featuring the image of La Borriquita took place in Prado de Somosaguas. Children aged four to twelve accompanied the image. If you want to plan a future trip around this event, check the dates for the relevant year.

Horse Riding Lessons and Regional History

Club Hípico Somosaguas offers riding lessons for all levels with experienced instructors. It also runs a pony school where young children can have their first experiences. If you plan to take part in either activity, check booking requirements and availability; for the pony school, also confirm the age requirements.

In the wider region around Somosaguas is Puerta de Somosaguas. It probably dates from the 19th century and borders the municipalities of Boadilla del Monte and Pozuelo de Alarcón. This gives it a different historical timescale from the palaeontological site: the vertebrate fossils are about 14 million years old, while Puerta de Somosaguas probably dates from the 19th century.

Discover more destinations: Rascafría, Vaciamadrid, Aldea Del Fresno, Cubas De La Sagra, Santa María de la Alameda, Carabaña, Casarrubuelos, El Boalo

For the main travel overview: Madrid.