티툴시아 최고의 라이딩 경로

Beautiful place full of history.

Manzanares el Real Castle, also known as Mendoza Castle: Built in 1475 by order of Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st Duke of the Infantado, on the site of a former Romanesque-Mudéjar church. Its architecture is Isabelline Gothic, with a square floor plan, cylindrical towers, and an octagonal keep. It served as the palatial residence of the powerful Mendoza family, who even established a literary court there. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1949. Today it houses a Medieval Interpretation Center, with exhibits of tapestries, armor, furniture, and audiovisual presentations about life in the Middle Ages.

It is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range, between the municipalities of Miraflores de la Sierra and Rascafría, in the Community of Madrid. From Miraflores de la Sierra (1200m), the route ascends approximately 600m over 10km (average gradient 4–6%), and after reaching the summit, it descends 13km to Rascafría (1150m) with a gradient of 4.5–7%.

Manzanares el Real Castle, also known as Mendoza Castle: Built in 1475 by order of Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, 1st Duke of the Infantado, on the site of a former Romanesque-Mudéjar church. Its architecture is Isabelline Gothic, with a square floor plan, cylindrical towers, and an octagonal keep. It served as the palatial residence of the powerful Mendoza family, who even established a literary court there. Declared a Historic-Artistic Monument in 1949. Today it houses a Medieval Interpretation Center, with exhibits of tapestries, armor, furniture, and audiovisual presentations about life in the Middle Ages.

The name comes from the stone boundary markers erected in the 18th century to demarcate lands acquired by Charles III for hunting. During the Spanish Civil War, it was a strategic area with a Republican detachment stationed there. It formerly housed the Valcotos ski resort, which no longer exists.

The **Centennial Yew of Canencia** is a unique tree of great botanical and landscape value in the Sierra de Guadarrama, in the Community of Madrid. It is not just a specimen, but part of a small population of yews that has survived in an exceptional setting, the Canencia Birch Forest. ### Characteristics and Location * **Species:** *Taxus baccata* (common yew). * **Age:** The most notable specimen is estimated to be between **400 and 500 years old**. Its longevity is one of the most fascinating characteristics of this species. * **Dimensions:** It has a trunk of considerable girth (around 4.10 meters) and a wide crown about 15 meters in diameter, which demonstrates its advanced age and health. * **Location:** It is located in the **Canencia Birch Forest** area, very close to the Canencia Pass. It is often included in the popular hiking trail known as "The Birch Forest Path" or the "Mojonavalle Waterfall Path." It is located near the Sestil del Maíllo stream. * **Environment:** The yew coexists with other unique species such as birch, holly, and Scots pines. This humid and protected microclimate has allowed the survival of these trees, which are relics of colder, wetter times. ### Importance and Uniqueness * **Botanical Value:** Yews are extremely slow-growing trees and are considered almost immortal. In Spain, they are a protected species, and finding such ancient specimens is a rarity. * **Landscape Value:** The Canencia yew stands out for its majestic appearance in the midst of a very picturesque forest, attracting numerous hikers and nature lovers. * **History and legend:** Like many ancient yew trees, it is steeped in legend. In many European cultures, they were considered sacred trees for their longevity and the toxicity of their parts (except for the pulp of their fruit). ### Access and routes To visit the yew, the most common route is the **Birch Forest Path**, which starts from the Canencia Pass itself. The path is signposted. You walk along a forest track to a detour that leads directly to the Chorrera de Mojonavalle, and a little further on, you will find the yew tree. Despite its age, the tree is increasingly visible and accessible, but it is essential to be respectful and not damage its surroundings to preserve this natural monument.

Good, shady area, water in Rascafría and upstream, well paved. Too busy on weekends.

There's a fountain as you reach the top on the right. Follow the cobblestone path.