Excursion to Laguna Grande de Peñalara
We are ready to go up to the Laguna Grande de Peñalara , one of the busiest excursions within the Sierra de Guadarrama thanks to its easy access, its accessible level and its great spectacularity, which allow the whole family to do it through this unique natural enclave.
The Massif of Peñalara It is one of the most emblematic places within the mountaineering tradition of Madrid. owns the best glacial remains of the Sierra de Guadarrama, and it has a great diversity and singularity of species that, in turn, are very fragile due to the strong environmental conditions (it will be easy to spot their birds of prey, its rock and mountain lizards and its variety of butterflies ) .
This is what the Sierra de Guadarrama looks like from the top of Peñalara
It is not surprising, therefore, that the profile of its public has expanded to exceed ** 200,000 annual visits in Peñalara (2.5 million in the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park as a whole).** In 2013 it passed to be part of Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, which forces us to impose rules that we must follow at all times: not abandoning the marked path, keeping our dogs on a leash, not collecting vegetables or animals and, in general, those dictated by common sense.
The routes that cross Peñalara are multitudes, combinable at the same time with each other. To access them, just go to the Port of Cotos (1,830 meters of altitude), either by train (C-9 de Cercanías), by bus (line 691 from Moncloa) or, as in our case, by car
We are talking about high mountain, so we're likely to find it snowy if we go in the cold months . It is our duty to inform ourselves of the weather conditions before leaving and to take the material needed for snow or ice if we plan to enter their paths. It is best to call or stop by. Visitors Center , who will gladly inform us of the conditions of the route.
Always keep in mind the weather forecast
For the time being, the cold has spared us, so after crossing the neighboring Port of Navacerrada It will not take long to see the parking enabled in Cotos. We are about to make the famous ascent to the Laguna Grande de Peñalara (2,038 meters), a path marked RV7, lasting about **two hours (round trip)** and that we take along the Bernardino shortcut.
At the end of the wooden planking and coming across the old Spanish Alpine Club just turn right. Shortly after, in the aforementioned Visitor Center, we will be able to get hold of a map of Peñalara in addition to seeing a sample of the different amphibians that survive in their habitat . On its outskirts, somewhat higher, we will see a untreated water source (there will be several on the way, we can drink it at our own risk) and a reconstructed hut for the forestry staff.
Crossing the first pine forests we will immediately reach the Gypsy viewpoint , where one forged compass It will show us the points that we have in front of us on the horizon. It will be unavoidable to use the solar watch on the ground to verify that our own shadow is capable of telling us the time.
Once we leave the storage shed behind, the path will go between heather, juniper, fern, pine, wildflowers and increasingly better views until you reach the fork towards the Lagoon of the Birds (RV8), at a higher altitude (2,177 meters) and almost double the distance. We maintain our initial objective by continuing to the left, where we will already be able to see the massif.
You will meet the usual inhabitants of Peñalara: its cows
It will be easy to see herds of cows grazing on the green meadows that stretch to the sides, but we must remember that we cannot go off the beaten track. A small slope will take us up to Laguna Grande de Peñalara, that retains its water under the impressive glacial massif that we have in front of us, and that more than one dares to climb up one of its routes or to crest through the RV2.
We cannot go near the shore of the lagoon (much less bathe, in addition to fences there is a guard attentive to it at all times), so we must settle for sitting on one of the stones that are in the rest area to eat our sandwich take pictures and enjoy the beautiful views in front of us.
Although if what we want is to catch a good panoramic view of the Laguna Grande with our camera, it is best to retrace the path a bit and head uphill towards the Zabala shelter, built in 1927 in memory of José Fernández Zabala , mountaineer and founding member of the Royal Spanish Mountaineering Society of Peñalara.
The arrival at this oasis of peace is unspeakable
From there we will have priceless views of the entire valley. If we have dared to go up and do not want to return to the same place, just follow the RV3 route to Cotos again.
Back at the starting point, the **deserved tribute awaits us at the Venta Marcelino **, next to the car park. It has been since ancient times supplying the mountaineers with the sun from their terrace (weather permitting) and in the warmth of your living room all kinds of meals to suit the consumer, from sandwiches to portions through à la carte dishes or a simple coffee. Rest to return home with a full stomach and charged batteries.
The mountaineer's rest