The best cycling routes around Embalse de San Juan

An impressive monastic complex of medieval origin, founded in the 12th century and surrounded by a privileged natural environment. Its stone walls and well-preserved ruins evoke centuries of history linked to the Cistercian order.

La Presa de Picadas is a hydraulic infrastructure located on the Alberche River, which gives rise to the reservoir of the same name. Surrounded by a natural environment of great beauty, it stands out for its rugged landscapes, pine forests, and calm waters, making it an ideal point of interest to enjoy nature in the Sierra Oeste of Madrid.

The Embalse de Picadas is a natural enclave located on the course of the Alberche river, surrounded by pine forests and steep slopes that create a landscape of great beauty. Its calm waters and uncrowded environment make it an ideal place to enjoy nature in the Sierra Oeste of Madrid.

Easy to find and very nice views.

The section between San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Aldea del Fresno is very comforting due to the route of the old Alberche train. The path is favorable and you simply have to maintain your inertia through the pine forests of Pelayos de la Presa and the shore of the Picadas reservoir to the dam wall, a delightful cycling ride. At the dam you have to cross a small slope and go down to the Alberche River bridge in Aldea del Fresno, which due to recent floods was under repair the day we passed. The route continues along the entertaining and sandy Camino de Navayuncosa, passing by the Palace of the Count of Caralt and following a section of the old railway to Villamanta, where we once again find damage to the road due to flooding. In the municipality of Navalcarnero we follow the milestones of CiclaMadrid along the rural roads marked with carved and sculpted granite posts with the names of the paths and roads of the municipality, on the map it says Camino de Madrid and on the stone post Camino from Valdeyeso. Navalcarnero has a stop in the square, it is monumental and a good place to have the last snack before the final push. In the Dehesa de Marimartín we reconnect with the route of the old Alberche railway, we pass over the iron bridge of the Guadarrama River and along the greenway we immediately arrive at the lonely streets of Mostoles Tecnológico. In this section, the CiclaMadrid milestones follow a rather uncomfortable livestock route through industrial estates and urban areas, until they cross the peripheral urbanizations of Villaviciosa de Odón and through the old military camps of Venta de la Rubia and the Meaques stream, they enter the Cottage.

The cycle trip continues along the lane of the Jacobean route until it connects with the Cebreros highway. The route continues along the side of the road, passing through the popular port of Arrebatacapas and another descent to Cebreros, a mountain town with a wine-growing tradition that would be a good place to finish the second stage when organized as a three-day trip. The Camino de Levante descends from the port along a mountain path that is quite technical and difficult by bicycle, suitable for trail experts and everyone can choose. The path begins next to the port sign and ends where the road enters the urban complex. The track goes down the road, crosses the town and continues the descent along the old Camino Real de Toledo, used by the funeral procession of Isabel la Católica when they carried her remains from Medina del Campo to Granada. At the Cebreros exit there are remains of the old medieval road and on the Alberche River there are the monumental bridges of Valsordo and Santa Yusta, used since Roman times, although they have undergone several reconstructions throughout history. The climb coincides with the last arrows of the Camino de Levante and deviates through the Puente Nuevo urbanization towards San Martín de Valdeiglesias, following the markings of the GR-10 long-distance path, with several hard ramps on the Camino de la Aliseda.

It is a very beautiful route leaving from the campsite passing through green roads until you reach the castle

The Cistercian monastery of Pelayos de la Presa is the oldest monastic complex in Madrid. It dates back to the 12th century, and although it was renovated in the 15th, its abandonment after the confiscation of Mendizabal has caused its current state.