Somosaguas offers a tangible connection to Earth’s history: the palaeontological site is located on the campus of the Universidad Complutense de Madrid and contains vertebrate fossils dating back around 14 million years. In Parque Forestal de Somosaguas, nature trails and cycling add to the picture; art and event venues are located in the Prado de Somosaguas area. This gives you a range of interests to consider when planning your trip: Earth’s history, nature and changing cultural programmes.
Nature Trails in Parque Forestal
Visitors can cycle in Parque Forestal de Somosaguas. There are also botanical, health-related and ornithological trails, which can be explored on foot or by bicycle. The thematic labels help you choose: botanical trails focus on plants, while ornithological trails focus on birds; health-related trails add another area of interest. You can therefore choose based on either the nature theme or your preferred way of getting around.
Two named routes can be compared by length. The Ruta Verde Parque Forestal Adolfo Suárez is 12.7 kilometres long and starts at the Campus de Somosaguas light rail stop. The Senda de la Antequina is a 2.5-kilometre trail in Parque Forestal de Somosaguas. This makes the Senda the shorter of the two named routes; the starting point is also given for the Ruta Verde.
The Aula de Educación Ambiental is located near the park entrance. The Hospital de Plantas provides advice, technical information and training for volunteers. If you are interested in learning about plants as well as exploring the trails, you can make these advisory and training topics a focus of your visit.
Palaeontology and Cultural Activities
The university campus also offers activities at specific times: the Department of Palaeontology at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid offers, among other things, open days connected with excavation campaigns on campus. If you would like to plan your visit around one, check the specific dates in advance.
For art, the Sala de Exposiciones VOLTURNO in the Prado de Somosaguas area serves as a municipal art gallery for exhibitions; it also has a projector and a conference room. Check the exhibition programme before your visit. In the Espacio Cultural Volturno (c/ Volturno, 2), in the same area, an event centre hosts festivals and themed event series. These programmes are scheduled periodically. If a particular festival or series is central to your plans, check the relevant dates.
Horse-Riding Activities for Different Interests
Club Hípico Somosaguas offers riding lessons with experienced instructors for all levels and also runs a pony school where young children can have their first experiences. The practical questions differ depending on the activity: check booking and availability in advance; for the pony school, also check the age requirements.
Discover more destinations: Griñón, Guadalix de la Sierra, Villaviciosa De Odón, Robledillo De La Jara, Galapagar, Rozas De Puerto Real, Collado-Villalba, Valdemoro.
For the broader travel overview: Madrid.
