Regulated access and parking at the Plataforma

The Plataforma is the car park at the end of the road that climbs from Hoyos del Espino de Montaña, where the tarmac ends and the path to the Laguna Grande de Gredos begins. It is the most used gateway to the sierra and, to stop it becoming overwhelmed, Patrimonio Natural de Castilla y León regulates car access with a barrier and ticket booth at kilometre 7 of the road. The path is free: what you pay for is parking.

2026 hours and rates

The 2026 regulation document from Patrimonio Natural sets two timetables. In winter, from October to June, the regulation operates from 8:00 to 18:00; in summer, from July to September, from 8:00 to 20:00. Rates are a single charge per day:

• Cars: €3.
• Motorhomes, vans and vehicles with trailers: €5.
• Buses: €12.

The document does not detail exactly which days it is regulated. Senditur says the barrier operates in July, August, the first week of September and weekends all year round; if you go outside those dates, check first at patrimonionatural.org or at the Casa del Parque. The number of spaces and the payment methods are not published either, so take cash just in case.

Getting there

You drive up from Hoyos del Espino along a narrow mountain road that ends at the Plataforma itself. The car park fills up in high season, especially on summer weekends: arrive first thing. In winter the road may have ice or snow; check road conditions before setting out.

Before the walk: the Casa del Parque

In Hoyos del Espino, on the way to the Plataforma, is the Casa del Parque Pinos Cimeros, the information centre of the Sierra de Gredos Regional Park. Its 2026 opening hours change by season: it is closed in January and February; in March, April, November and December (until the 20th) it opens Thursday to Sunday from 9:00 to 15:00; in May, June, September and October, Wednesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 15:00, and in July and August, Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 15:00, except 12 August. It also opens on some public holidays, such as 12 October, 2 and 9 November and 7 and 8 December. For enquiries or guided visits: 920 349 046 and [email protected].

What to do from the Plataforma

The classic path climbs the cobbled road to Los Barrerones and descends to the Laguna Grande, at the foot of Almanzor: 13.6 km there and back and about five hours. If you are with small children, it is enough to walk the first stretch to the Cavadores spring and come back. Spanish ibex show themselves near the path; do not feed them. Take warm clothing and a waterproof even if it is hot in the valley: up there the weather changes fast.

If you are looking for things to do on the southern slope of the sierra, the Arenas de San Pedro tourist office has information on the castle of the Triste Condesa and the Cuevas del Águila.