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Mount “El Chaparral” Viewpoint

  • Coordinates UTM: 0426108 / 4507299

  • Altitude: 972 m

  • Reference Map: 1:50,000 Sierra de Guadarrama (Ed. La Tienda Verde)

Location and Access

The viewpoint is located in the municipality of Manzanares El Real. Access is from the M-608, taking the turnoff that leads toward the cemetery and the Santillana Reservoir. After crossing the reservoir’s tail through a bridge, take the dirt road that ascends toward Mount El Chaparral. After less than 1.5 km, you will see a small clearing and a rocky outcrop offering a wide panoramic view of the Cuerda Larga. The viewpoint can be accessed by car.

Visual Range

This natural viewpoint provides stunning views of the Cuerda Larga, the entire Pedriza range, and the Samburiel and Manzanares valleys. The visual range is broad and varied, with a larger field of view toward the north and northeast. To the east of the rocky outcrop, you can see the distant Sierra de La Cabrera, the Pico de la Miel, Mondalindo, and Miraflores de la Sierra. In the mid-range view, the town of Soto del Real, the Santillana Reservoir, the Cerro de San Pedro, and Cabeza Illescas are visible. To the south, you’ll see the Chaparral de las Viñas; to the west, the Cuelgamuros ridge, Cabeza Mediana, the Sierra del Castillo, and La Peñota, with the villages of Becerril de la Sierra, El Boalo, and Mataelpino visible. Directly ahead, the Cuerda Larga, La Maliciosa, the Alto de las Guarramillas, Cabezas de Hierro, Lomas del Pandasco, Bailanderos, and Najarra are visible in sharp detail. Attached to Cuerda Larga, you can also see La Pedriza and the Cerros de La Camorza and Sierra de los Porrones. The valley floor and surrounding areas are occupied by the town of Manzanares El Real and the willow groves of the Samburiel stream, near its confluence with the Santillana Reservoir.

Identifiable Landscape Units:

This viewpoint offers the opportunity to distinguish up to ten landscape units within the region. To the east, the San Blas Hollow unit; in the valley, the dehesas (meadows) and pastures of Manzanares and Soto del Real, and the horst of Cabeza Illescas; to the west, the hills of Navacerrada and Collado Mediano, the dehesas and pastures of the Cerceda depression. Slightly further north, the landscape unit formed by the peaks and slopes of La Maliciosa, the Sierra de los Porrones, the grand landscape unit of Cuerda Larga, the headwaters of the Manzanares river, and finally, the granite outcrops of La Pedriza.

Observations

This is not an institutionalized viewpoint, but it is safe to make a stop with your vehicle. It is recommended to carry a map to locate the most relevant geographical landmarks. Bringing binoculars is highly advisable for a better experience..

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