More than 50 percent of Moralzarzal’s territory lies within the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares. The trails focus on different features: streams, dehesa landscapes or a connection to Cerceda. The Ríos y Riachuelos route starts at the intersection of Calle de las Erillas and Camino el Benarejo. It follows important streams in Moralzarzal and reaches the Regajo de los Mares and the Río Navacerrada.

Hiking between the Dehesa and the Water

The Dehesa Nueva y Cerca de la Ladera route goes all the way around the Dehesa de Arriba, also known as Dehesa Nueva. Along the way, it passes through holm oaks, junipers, pines and rockroses. From a raised viewpoint, it offers panoramic views of the Sierra de Guadarrama and its towns. You can start the route at the Plaza de Toros or the municipal sports centre. Unlike Ríos y Riachuelos, this route focuses on vegetation and distant views rather than streams.

The Ruta 10B Moralzarzal–Cerceda is 4.4 kilometres long, linear and of low difficulty. It connects the two towns and starts beside the car park at the Moralzarzal sports centre. The route enters the Dehesa vecinal and crosses the Arroyo de Fuentidueña near Moralzarzal over a small wooden bridge. Another route leads from the sports centre via the Cañada Real Segoviana to the Embalse de Santillana in Manzanares el Real. It passes through the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares and through ash-tree dehesa, oak woodland, pastureland and Mediterranean forest.

The Camino de Becerril is a historic footpath between Moralzarzal and Becerril de la Sierra. The Ruta Cascada del Covacho starts at the sports centre and can be done on foot or by bicycle. For Ríos y Riachuelos, check the local signs at the start before setting off; you should also confirm the starting points for the Dehesa route before heading out. As trail conditions can change, it is a good idea to check them before a hike.

Springs, Stone and Historic Water Supply

The Fuente de los 4 Caños is described as one of Moralzarzal’s earliest springs, dating from the early 17th century; it was renovated in 1885. A water system built on the slopes of Matarrubia in the late 19th century carried water to the springs at the Plaza de la Constitución and the Fuente de los Cuatro Caños in the town centre. The Atarjeas are also part of this water history: they channelled and collected spring water from Monte del Robledo. This water originates in the Grande and Peñalagua streams. Sections of the original cast-iron pipe are still visible.

The Ruta del Agua presents architecture, stone and water as a legacy spanning several centuries. Granite is a defining feature of Moralzarzal’s vernacular architecture and can be found in its most important municipal buildings. The sculptures of San Benito and San Bernardo by José Benito de Churriguera have been housed in the chapter house of the monastery of the Calatrava nuns in Moralzarzal since 1980. Both are classified as Bienes de Interés Cultural (BIC).

Cultural Sites and Local Events

The Moralzarzal cultural centre has spaces for exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography, as well as numerous culture-related workshops. Film festivals and programmes of feature and short films are also organised there. The theatre has 542 seats and a varied programme of theatre, cinema and music for different audiences. For specific schedules, check the dates of the events in question.

The Plaza de Toros hosts bullfighting festivals, rock and classical music concerts, sports championships, fairs and Christmas celebrations. Individual events and their dates vary. A recurring local holiday is Cruz de Mayo, held on 3 May in Parque de La Tejera. The main event is a communal country meal, which the municipality offers free of charge to everyone in attendance. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the dates and programme for the relevant year. The festival’s origins are associated with a tradition among local quarry workers.

Discover more destinations: Meco, Brea De Tajo, Valdemanco, Alameda del Valle, Coslada, Madarcos, Algete, Valdemorillo.

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