It is considered the most important Mediterranean forest in the Community of Madrid and one of the best preserved in all of Europe. And we are not talking about the well-known Madrid mountain range, but rather the Mount of El Pardoan extraordinary (and little-known) natural space that we find north of the capital and that has more than 15,000 hectares in which to enjoy in many ways.
© Vali Lung / Alamy Stock PhotoA MOUNTAIN THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY OWNED BY KINGS
To understand when this mountain began to be considered royal property, we must go back to 1405, when Henry II build there a hunting lodgealthough it was already royal hunting ground since the time of Alfonso It will be in times of Henry III and Henry IV when a small castle is built on the land where the current palace is located. Later, it will be at the time of Philip II when the palace is finished and the surface of this mountain is determined and the protection zones are expanded, and finally build the 100-kilometer wall that surrounds it, already in the 18th century, thus making a closed preserve.
THE NATURAL SPACE OF MONTE DE EL PARDO
The Manzanares River crosses, from north to south, this mountain with gentle relief where we can find mainly holm oaks, but also other species such as oaks, junipers, cork oaks, willows or poplars. And, as in Sierra de Guadarrama –one of the most desired natural spaces to which Madrid urbanites escape on the weekends– there are numerous rockroses, sticky rockroses, along with broom, rosemary or cantuesos.
But the wealth of Monte de El Pardo is not only in its plant species, but also in its fauna, with animal species that surprise those who enter it, due to its proximity to the big city. Looking at the sky you can see the flight of the imperial eagle, black vulture or black stork. Returning the view to the front, visitors can come across deer, fallow deer, wild boar, wild cats, foxes, genets, weasels…
© DCarreno / Alamy Stock PhotoWHAT CAN YOU DO IN MONTE DE EL PARDO?
HIKING ROUTES
To explore it on foot or by bicycle, the mountain has three well-marked trails that run through different areas of the natural space, to spend a fun day in nature, without leaving the city:
© Panther Media GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo- Environmental corridor ecological path of the Manzanares River: a simple and well-marked route that begins at the Somontes parking lot, where you can leave your car, and runs along the river. The route passes through the Somontes recreational area, the train bridge, the town of El Pardo, the Capuchinos bridge, the El Pardo weir, the Mingorrubio footbridge and the El Pardo dam, where it ends.
- Distance: 7.6 kilometers
- Route type: linear, simple, for all ages
- Peñarrubia Trail:Shorter than the previous one, this hiking route is perfect to do in autumn, part of the Peñarrubia recreational area, it is circular and perfectly marked with yellow arrows. Its highest point is reached at the so-called Mirador de Peñarrubia, with magnificent views of El Pardo and an area of tables in the surroundings where you can stop to eat something.
- Distance: 4.6 kilometers
- Route type: circular, medium difficulty because it has ups and downs, for all ages
- Valpalomero Trail: The Quinta recreational area, where you can leave your car, is the starting point of this third simple and well-marked route that runs between oaks and rockroses. Along the way it is possible to look out at different viewpoints from which to contemplate nature in all its splendor. The end takes us to the La Quinta restaurant, with an ideal terrace to rest after the tour.
- Distance: 5 kilometers
- Route type: circular, simple, for all ages
ATTEND THE DEER BERRING SHOW
Autumn is, without a doubt, one of the best times to visit El Monte de El Pardo, when the courtship of the male deer to the females, during the fall, between mid-September and October.
Their hoarse howls, what we know as the deer rutis a demonstration of strength to gain the favor of females in heat and thus mate. A spectacle that echoes in the forest, and whose sound can reach up to 3 kilometersand which is accompanied by other demonstrations of strength, such as fights between the males that intersect their antlers while the females do not lose any detail.
© Juanma Hernandez / Alamy Stock PhotoYou can also listen to the fallow deer snoring, a sound for which you will have to be somewhat closer, no more than 500 meters.
The best viewing places are in the Desaguadero viewpoint, he Valpalomero viewpoint, The Tower (next to the restaurant of the same name) or the bridge over the Manzanares (near the Capuchin Bridge).
For those who want to discover this natural spectacle in a guided way, Sierra de Guadarrama (sierradelguadarrama.com/berrea-ciervo-sierra-madrid) organizes outings accompanied by a professional guide.
WHAT CAN YOU VISIT EL MONTE DE EL PARDO?
VISIT THE PALACE OF ELPARDO
© DCarreno / Alamy Stock PhotoSurely it is the most unknown of the palaces belonging to the National Heritage. A place designated for centuries as a pleasure palace for monarchs, where royal receptions are held today and is the place of residence of heads of state when they visit our country officially.
The building was ordered to be built by Charles V, in the 16th century, and was commissioned by the architect Luis de la Vega. For this purpose, a small fortress was built with towers in the corners, surrounded by a moat, and with a main doorway in the Castilian Plateresque style. The work was completed during the reign of Philip II, who also decorated its interior in a very Italian style, with frescoes and a gallery featuring works by Titian, Hieronymus Bosch and Sánchez Coello that were lost in a fire in 1604.
Nowadays, there are many works of art and rooms to admire during the visit: tapestries by Goya, the dining room of Charles V, lamps from La Granja, porcelains from Sèvres… the beautiful auditorium, the only preserved court theater in Spain.
© National HeritageWhen to visit the El Pardo Palace?
The El Pardo Palace is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last access at 5 p.m.). The visit is guided, lasts one hour, and has a price of €9 (reduced, €4). Wednesdays and Sundays, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. It’s free.
AND THE PRINCE’S HOUSE
A few meters away, next to the Royal Palace, is this small neoclassical style mansion known as the Prince’s House. A building ordered to be built for the future Charles IV and his wife Maria Luisa of Parma as a recreation house. Also inside you can admire works of art by Lucas Jordan, Mengs or frescoes by Bayeu. Don’t forget to walk through its gardens.
Can you visit the Casita del Príncipe?
It is possible to visit it at 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. but requires prior reservation by phone: 913761500.
PALACE OF THE QUINTA OF THE DUQUE DEL ARCO
It was ordered to be built by the Duke of Arco, courtier of Philip V, during the 18th century, and is even less known than the previous ones. Their gardens, designed by Claude Truchet, Crop fields and fruit orchard areas are magnificent for a walk. The palace, similar to La Zarzuela although smaller in size, became part of the Royal Site of Pardo when the duke died and his wife donated it to the monarch. Its interior is not visitable.
THE CHRIST OF EL PARDO
Every Good Friday and escorted by the Royal Guard, the people of El Pardo venerate this image that goes out in procession during Holy Week.
“I made the body, but God himself made the head,” are the words of the sculptor. Gregorio Fernandez, author of this wood carving which has been considered, on many occasions, as the best in the world made of a recumbent Christ. We are talking about the one known as Christ of El Pardo and it can be visited inside the convent of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles, in one of its side chapels.
© @restaurante_filandonWHERE TO EAT IN EL PARDO?
The restaurant The Tower (restauranteeltorreon.com) is one of the best-known classics, and from there you can enjoy the rut.
On the road from El Pardo to Fuencarral, the famous Filandón restaurant (filandon.es), where the fire and the grill are the big stars, both for meat and fish, in addition to the excellent quality of the product. A charming place surrounded by gardens where personalities as prominent as the Obamas cannot resist or closer, Alejandra Prat, which she confessed a while ago was her favorite restaurantbecause “it has everything.”
