Camorza Gorge, from the visitor centre to Canto Cochino

A simple path, for beginner hikers according to the National Park, linking the La Pedriza Visitor Centre with Canto Cochino following the River Manzanares. The Park describes it as perhaps the most impressive way to enter La Pedriza: the river is hemmed into the La Camorza gorge and forms pools and waterfalls among granite forms. It is 4.9 km one way, on a gentle climb, and 1 h 35 for an average walker.

The route

It leaves from the visitor centre car park and follows a stretch of the GR-10 to the ruins of the Old Castle of Manzanares. From there it goes up the Manzanares along its right bank, passes near the hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Peña Sacra and, after crossing the river, reaches the El Tranco area. Past the vehicle barrier, you continue upstream with the water on your left; the gorge narrows and the pools and small waterfalls of this upper stretch of the river appear.

Here the river marks the boundary between two very different landscapes. On the right is La Pedriza Anterior, which coincides with the National Park boundary: rock, rounded granite forms, scrub, junipers and holm oaks. On the left, the Camorza hill, much less rocky and covered in replanted pine woods.

After a kilometre of gentle climbing you reach the Foca area, where the river makes a tight bend and the path crosses it by a wooden bridge. The last stretch, now with the river on your right, goes along a wider, sandy path among willows, ash trees and alders to the Canto Cochino car park. This part is within the Ecological Recovery Plan of the River Manzanares in its Upper Stretch.

Route details

• Distance: 4.9 km, one-way crossing.
• Time: 1 h 35.
• Ascent: 198 m up and 79 m down; average gradient 7.4%.
• Altitude: from 915 to 1,035 m.
• Surface: path, rocky at the start and sandy at the end.

Why it is the best option if the barrier is closed

The Canto Cochino car park has a quota and hours, and at weekends from October to May it fills early. This path lets you enter on foot without depending on it: you leave the car at the visitor centre or come on foot from Manzanares el Real, which the 724 bus reaches. On reaching Canto Cochino you can continue to the Charca Verde or to El Tolmo. As it is a one-way crossing, to return you retrace your steps, which doubles the distance.

With children and a dog

Its gentle gradient suits families with children who already walk. Dogs must be on a lead, and swimming in the River Manzanares is not permitted. Take water and footwear that grips on the rock areas of the first stretch.