Laguna de San Juan

A wetland of about 47 hectares in the Tajuña plain, to the west of the Chinchón municipality: four hectares are open water and the rest is reeds, rushes and marsh vegetation that surrounds and protects it. It has been protected as a wildlife refuge by the Community of Madrid since 1991 for its value to waterbirds. It is about 8 km west of the town.

What you will see

The lagoon nestles at the foot of the gypsum hills that border the left bank of the river, so in a single walk you pass through three landscapes: the flooded area, the white hills and the farmland of the plain. According to the Community of Madrid, more than a hundred bird species use the wetland; it mentions among them the purple heron, the grey heron, the marsh harrier, the bittern and the purple swamphen. The municipal route adds swallows, martins and bee-eaters, which nest in the cliffs, and the cattle egret.

In 2022 the Community opened a bird observatory intended for monitoring and ringing, but also for the public to look without disturbing. Beforehand, reeds were cleared from the shore, channels were recovered and perches installed, and with that the waders have returned. Beside the refuge hut there is a panel explaining the place, and some signs help identify the birds according to the season.

How to get there

It is outside the old town and there is no public transport to the shore. The plain track that passes beside the lagoon, between crops and the Tajuña riverside wood, ends at the Titulcia road; confirm car access at the tourist office before setting out. The town council also proposes a long walk of about 19.5 km, which leaves from and returns to Villaconejos by the Valdezarza track and the Vereda de la Blanca, passes the refuge hut and the observatory and returns through the hills, with a high point of 650 metres. It has no shade, so it is only sensible on cool days.

No hours or admission are published for the refuge. Don't count on facilities at the shore and bring water.

Tips for the visit

Bring binoculars, go slowly and quietly, and don't leave the marked paths: it is a wildlife refuge. The season with most birds runs from autumn to spring; in high summer the heat of the plain is oppressive and there is less movement on the water.

It is a good outing for families with children who can stay still for a while, and to combine with a meal in the town: return to Chinchón and finish in the Plaza Mayor, or at the Bodega del Nero if it is the weekend.