Purgatorio Waterfall from El Paular

The classic walk of the El Paular valley. Rascafría town council calls it one of the valley's most emblematic routes, and its only difficulty is the length: a little over six kilometres to the waterfall, which you then have to retrace to get back. Allow half a day with the return by the same path. It is free and waymarked, with information panels from the regional Environment Department.

The route

The council's map of the walk marks six points of interest:

1. El Paular and the Perdón bridge. You set out opposite the monastery and cross the Lozoya by the 18th-century Perdón bridge.
2. The Rascafría oak woods. The first kilometres follow the Camino Viejo de Madrid, which linked the charterhouse with the court and is now Ruta Verde 6 towards La Morcuera, among oaks exploited for centuries for charcoal and firewood. Close by on the way is Las Presillas.
3. The Aguilón river. You follow upstream one of the streams that feed the Lozoya, with pools and small rapids set between cliffs.
4. Livestock. In the clearings of the oak wood cows graze, with the Avileña Negra as the main breed.
5. The Majada Grande cliffs. On the last stretch the valley narrows between rock walls.
6. El Purgatorio. The path winds among large boulders beside the stream to a wooden viewpoint facing the waterfall, a drop of water that carries flow almost all year.

When to go

According to the council, the waterfall looks best in the rainy months and with the thaw, in spring. In summer it carries less water, but the walk goes almost entirely in the shade of the oak and pine woods. In winter, with ice, the final stretch of stones calls for care.

Bring water, something to eat and mountain footwear: the end is rocky. Respect the gates of the estates and leave them closed, as the map asks. With children who walk well it is a good outing; with little ones, better to stay at Las Presillas or the arboretum. Dogs on a lead: it is a National Park and there is loose livestock.

Getting there

The starting point is next to the monastery, on the M-604. By car from Madrid, take the A-1 to Lozoyuela, at kilometre 69, and the M-604; also by the M-611 from Miraflores and the La Morcuera pass, or over the Navacerrada pass and Cotos. By public transport, line 194 from Plaza de Castilla to Rascafría or the 194A from Buitrago: see the page on buses from Madrid. From the Rascafría stop to El Paular you walk along the path beside the road.

What to combine

Before or after, a guided tour of the El Paular monastery or a while at the El Paular Visitor Centre. For lunch in Rascafría, Casa Briscas or the Restaurante Caldea.