Los Batanes Youth Hostel

Sleeping next to the monastery for little

It is a hostel in the Community of Madrid Youth Hostels Network on the Los Batanes estate, opposite the El Paular Monastery, about 2 km from Rascafría and 98 km from Madrid. It has views of Peñalara and is next to the path to Las Presillas and the route to the Purgatorio Waterfall. Although it is called a youth hostel, it admits all ages; the price changes.

Rooms

It has 120 beds in 44 rooms with sheets and blankets: with one, two or three beds in beds, and four or eight in bunks. There are four places adapted for people with reduced mobility. The small rooms are the option for couples or families who want privacy without paying for a hotel; the bunk rooms, for groups and schools.

Reception is open from 8:00 to 21:00, although the hostel is open 24 hours.

Rates

The official prices, including VAT, depend on age:

Children under three do not pay. There is a 25% discount with the Carné Joven or the hostel membership card, and discounts for youth activities organised by public or non-profit bodies. Booking is by form on the Community of Madrid website, which also publishes the booking and use conditions.

Facilities

The dining room serves breakfast at 8:30, lunch at 14:00 and dinner at 20:00, and prepares a packed lunch if you give notice beforehand, handy for a day on Peñalara. There is a café lounge with drinks and snack machines, a sitting room with television, activity rooms, wifi in the common areas, left-luggage, cots and highchairs. They lend board games, table tennis, table football, bicycles and snowshoes. Outside there is an outdoor area and patios, and parking for cars and bicycles. At reception they issue the Carné Joven free of charge, from 9:00 to 20:00.

Getting there

By car, take the M-604. By bus, line 194 leaves the Plaza de Castilla interchange and stops in Rascafría, and the 194A comes from Buitrago de Lozoya; from the village it is about 2 km on foot. More detail on buses from Madrid. Next door is the El Paular Visitor Centre, with the arboretum, and the Perdón Bridge.

Telephone 918 691 511, email [email protected].