Valle de la Fuenfría to Cerro Ventoso

The Valle de la Fuenfria to Cerro Ventoso route is a circular day hike starting and finishing in Cercedilla, one of the most accessible mountain towns in the Sierra de Guadarrama from Madrid. The trail covers approximately 12 kilometres round trip with around 500 metres of elevation gain, climbing from the Fuenfria Valley floor to the open ridge of Cerro Ventoso at 1,900 metres. The walk begins at Cercedilla station, reached from Madrid Atocha in approximately 55 minutes on Cercanias line C-8a for around 4.50 euros. From the station, a well-marked path leads north through the outskirts of Cercedilla into the lower Fuenfria Valley. The valley section follows the Fuenfria stream through a mix of Scots pine and oak forest, with the stream offering small pools suitable for cooling feet in summer. The initial 4 kilometres of valley walking is gentle and flat, making this lower section accessible for families and those seeking a shorter forest stroll without the full ascent. Above the valley, the trail ascends steadily through pine forest on a zigzag path, gaining the ridge at Cerro Ventoso after approximately 500 metres of climbing. The upper ridge section is open and exposed, with panoramic views of Madrid city visible to the south on clear days and the higher Guadarrama peaks rising to the north. The ridge surface is rocky and compacted earth with some loose scree near the summit area. The descent retraces the ascent or takes an alternative lower forest track that returns to Cercedilla via a different stream valley, adding variety to the circuit. No refuge huts exist on this route, but Cercedilla town provides all facilities at the trailhead including restaurants, a supermarket, and accommodation options. Wildlife commonly seen includes roe deer, red squirrels, crested tits, and, in the upper sections, Spanish ibex occasionally descending from the higher ridges.