Hervidero Waterfall, in San Agustín de Guadalix (Madrid).
Short route (just two hours), of little difficulty (200 meters of unevenness, suitable to go with children), easy access (very close to Madrid, next to the A-1) and very grateful (immediately we will see river, green and waterfalls). Features that convert the walk to the Hervidero waterfall in one of the busiest in the Community of Madrid, so whenever possible we recommend going during the week to avoid stress and crowds.
THE ROUTE
To start the excursion we must arrive at the Laguna de los Patos, a recreational area that we will find on the outskirts of San Agustín del Guadalix. It will take just 40 minutes to this town in the north of Madrid from the capital, taking the Burgos road (A-1) to exit 36. The nearby industrial estate is the ideal place to look for parking. Or if we prefer to go by public transport, it will also take us the 193 bus from the Plaza Castilla interchange.
As its name indicates, This park is watered by a lake plagued by ducks whose waters feed the Gadalíx River. We must cross it by a bridge until we are on its left bank, and from there take the path that runs along its shore and that will take us without loss in about an hour to the waterfall in question.
A 19th century stone aqueduct in the field of San Agustín de Guadalix.
By the way poplars, weeping willows, ash trees and alders will give us shade. It will also be easy to see a lizard running on the ground, an amphibian swimming through the water or a group of vultures flitting through the sky.
Before arriving, we will also come across ideal places to take a dip, but it should be remembered that this enclave is not included in the places in the Community of Madrid where bathing in fresh water is allowed. In the middle of the journey, momentarily deviating from the path, we can also look out at the small waterfall of Charco del Aliso.
The municipality of San Agustín del Guadalíx is home to various aqueducts of the Canal de Isabel II, and we are indeed traveling the path that makes the Canal Bajo of your water supply. That is why we will see various constructions belonging to the hydraulic network, where above all we will be surprised by the aqueduct of La Retuerta, with its 170 meters long and 28 meters high.
The Hervidero waterfalls are two waterfalls that we find in the Guadalix riverbed.
THE WATERFALL
That means already we have reached the Hervidero waterfall, which we will go down some steep stone stairs that lack a railing, but that we will overcome without problem with a little care and common sense. Once on its shore, time to take out the camera and immortalize this double waterfall , with the Guadalíx emerging between the rocks to rush into the void.
In a small meadow above the waterfall, in the shade of the trees and with the stone cliffs in front, we find the ideal place to rest, enjoy the silence and eat the sandwich before starting the way back.
To avoid the outward journey and thus make our circular route we take a path to the left of the river that will go up to the Almenara de los Castillejos. From there we will descend along the Vereda del Carril de las Mentiras, a path with a curious name much less traveled than the Canal Bajo with panoramic views full of junipers and holm oaks which will bring us back to town in about an hour.