The River Manzanares and the Charca Verde via the Vivero bridge

The easiest route to see the Manzanares inside La Pedriza: a 5.2 km circuit from Canto Cochino that the National Park classifies for beginner hikers and estimates at 1 h 40. It goes first under the pine wood and then along a narrow path beside the river, among large granite boulders polished by the water, to the Charca Verde, a surprisingly beautiful pool, and returns by the Vivero bridge.

The route

From the Canto Cochino car park you go down the tarmac track to the bridge over the Manzanares. On the other side is the Canto Cochino information point: turn left, leaving it on your right, and follow the river upstream on the PR-M 18 path, marked with white and yellow stripes. The path is narrow and side tracks branch off; pay attention so as not to stray.

About 2 km from the start the Vivero bridge appears, where the PR-M 18 continues. To reach the Charca Verde you have to carry straight on: leave on your right the metal gate of a Park forest nursery, cross a low wall and the path is lost on the rock floor. Without losing your bearings, it is about 30 metres among rocks and shrubs to the pool. Legend has it that, very occasionally, from the middle of the Charca Verde a woman with long hair and slightly greenish skin emerges looking for a husband.

To return you retrace the stretch to the Vivero bridge, cross it and, shortly after, take on the left a forest track that descends to the car park. From the track you see El Cáliz, a balanced rock, and at the start of the route there is an Arizona cypress with a strikingly twisted trunk.

Route details

• Distance: 5.2 km, circular.
• Time: 1 h 40.
• Ascent: 173 m up and down; average gradient 7.6%.
• Altitude: from 1,022 to 1,137 m.

Water, yes; swimming, no

After rain and the thaw the Manzanares comes down strongly and the route looks its best. But according to the Park swimming is not permitted in the River Manzanares, nor in the Charca Verde, and dogs may not enter the water. If you are looking for somewhere to swim, the only bathing areas around the Park are the natural pools of Las Berceas, in Cercedilla, and the presillas of Rascafría.

Getting there

By car, to the Canto Cochino car park, free and with a quota of 270 vehicles. From October to May, at weekends and public holidays the barrier does not let cars in between 10:30 and 16:00, and the quota usually fills between 8:30 and 9:00. From June to September, at weekends it closes from 9:30 to 18:30. If there is no space, walk up from the visitor centre via the Camorza gorge. It is a good first route with children who already walk; if you want something longer, the El Tolmo route leaves from the same bridge.