Santillana Reservoir – Manzanares el Real Castle loop from Villalba de Guadarrama

Bike touring routes & trails

Santillana Reservoir – Manzanares el Real Castle loop from Villalba de Guadarrama

Hard

3.0

(2)

riders

Santillana Reservoir – Manzanares el Real Castle loop from Villalba de Guadarrama

06:19

96.2km

1,170m

Cycling

Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 13, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 21.3 km for 264 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

29 m

From this point you can see, in the distance, the Santillana reservoir. Although the water level has been greatly reduced by the drought, it continues to be a place of interest for ornithologists and bird watchers.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

20.1 km

Old Castle of Manzanares

Highlight • Castle

On the right bank of the Manzanares River, the Old Castle of Manzanares El Real stands on a hill, guarding La Pedriza, the Cañada Real Segoviana and the river itself. The fortress, whose shape and exterior walls are preserved, was the first castle inhabited by the Mendoza family and which served as a defense against Moors and Christians.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

21.4 km

Manzanares el Real Castle

Highlight • Castle

The history and image of Manzanares El Real will always be linked to the Mendoza family and their unmistakable castle, one of the jewels, not only of Madrid's military architecture, but of all the medieval architecture of the kingdom of Castile.

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Tip by

21.8 km

Manzanares el Real Castle

Highlight • Castle

This is the best preserved castle in the community of Madrid. It is also known as the Mendoza castle because it was this family that built it to reinforce their dominance and influence in 15th-century Castile. Juan Guas, who was the architect of the Catholic Monarchs, participated in its construction.

Its wall testifies to its function as a fortress while its large interior rooms tell of the arrival of new times with less warriors and more palatial and social life. It currently has an interpretation center of the Middle Ages and it carries out outreach activities on this important period in Spain and other cultural activities.

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Tip by

22.4 km

View of the Santillana Reservoir

Highlight • Viewpoint

45.1 km

Viewpoint

45.7 km

Canencia Pass

Highlight • Mountain Pass

The port of Canencia is one of the most pleasant to climb in the Sierra de Guadarrama. On any of its slopes, both from Miraflores de la Sierra and from the town of Canencia, the slopes are not too steep and the landscape is incredible.

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Tip by

50.7 km