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Lozoya Somosierra
Rascafría

Peñalara Glacial Cirque

Highlight • Natural Monument

Peñalara Glacial Cirque

Hiking

5.0

(143)

Running

5.0

(4)

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Parque Nacional de la Sierra de Guadarrama

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  • Location: Rascafría, Lozoya Somosierra, Madrid, Spain

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  • Take Me There

    Tips

    November 23, 2022

    Hiking

    The path jumps over a rocky hill and reaches the bridge over the Laguna de Peñalara stream, which is the natural drainage of the Laguna Grande. The Hoya de Peñalara glacial cirque shows all its reliefs between the peaks of Peñalara peak (2,428 m) and Dos Hermanas (2,284 m). The bites of the old moraines have left large granite steps, walls, channels, spurs, valleys and niches where lagoons and wetlands are formed.
    Translated by

    July 31, 2023

    Hiking

    If you want to get wonderful views and landscapes with a very calm atmosphere, this is your ideal place!!!!
    Translated by

    July 2, 2022

    Hiking

    Accessible place both in summer and in the middle of winter, taking into account the ice sheets that usually form. Good place to rest and recharge your batteries.
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    Nearby routes

    Best routes near Peñalara Glacial Cirque

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    4.8

    (151)

    1,032

    hikers

    #1.

    Peñalara Circular Trail

    12.9km

    05:12

    580m

    580m

    The Peñalara Circular Trail is one of those routes that challenges and rewards in equal measure. This difficult 8.0-mile (12.9 km) hike, with an elevation gain of 1910 feet (582 meters), will take you approximately 5 hours and 11 minutes. You'll embark on a journey from pine forests to rocky alpine landscapes, passing through the stunning Peñalara Glacial Cirque and lagoons like Laguna Grande. It's a complete experience for those seeking a challenge in the Sierra de Guadarrama.

    To plan your visit, keep in mind that this route is demanding and not suitable for everyone, especially the Risco de los Claveles, a section with steep drops that requires extra caution. The difficulty significantly increases in winter with snow and ice, so it's best to save it for warmer months if you lack high-mountain experience. Make sure to carry enough water, as there are exposed sections.

    This route is famous for leading you to Pico Peñalara, the highest point in the Comunidad de Madrid, and for showcasing some of the best-preserved glacial remnants in the Sierra de Guadarrama. It's a classic training ground for mountaineers and a display of the park's biodiversity, with its lagoons and varied flora.

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    Hard
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    Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    Moderate
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    4.7

    (11)

    54

    hikers

    Hike the moderate 5.8-mile Peñalara Circuit via Laguna Grande in Sierra de Guadarrama, featuring a glacial lake and panoramic views.

    Moderate

    Details

    Informations

    Elevation 1,990 m

    Weather

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    Thursday 2 July

    32°C

    15°C

    -- %

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    Location: Rascafría, Lozoya Somosierra, Madrid, Spain

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