Madrid surroundings self-guided

This is our most popular self-guided cycling tour within a range of 50-100 kms (32-62 miles) of Madrid. It will take you through the most attractive parts of the Madrid Guadarrama mountain range which soon will be declared a national reserve park, stopping at the 13th century monastery of Rascafria and shortly after the mediaeval village of Pedraza, like a movie set. Biycling through the province of Segovia you can stop at any number of picturesque villages, each with its romanesque church and where inhabitants livelihood is drawn from the produce of the land they live on.

On your arrival at the noble and thousand year old city of Segovia, you are cast back centuries in history. You enter under a superbly preserved Roman aqueduct and make your way up to the beautiful sandstone cathedral and on to the Alcazar, a castle-fortress, of fairy tales appearence. Your accommodation is in the city center of the lively Plaza Mayor. The following day takes us up to the Palace of La Granja de San de Ildefonso, once a royal summer residence for the Borbon kings. Your road climbs challengingly up to Fuenfría pass to cross the Sierra range once more. On the descend you ride along a Roman road, flanked by pine tress and shady creeks towards the mountain village of Cercedilla. Further on, at San Lorenzo de El Escorial, you are once again surrounded by world heritage monuments, gardens and the monastery palace of King Philip II that still standing graciously as if time had not passed. Your cycle trip ends in Spain's magnificent capital where we will enjoy the intensity and liveliness of a modern metropolis offering art galleries and museums like the Prado, Retiro park, royal palaces and finely preserved monuments.

Itinerary

Day 1. Rascafía (Madrid).
Pick up at the airport at the agreed time and transfer to the Sheraton Hotel Santamaría del Paular. Introductions and selection of bicycle. Possibility to walk around the village to get acquainted with it and its monastery.

Day 2. Pedraza (Segovia). 55 km. 410 mts. gradient.
After the hearty breakfast at the hotel, we start cycling in the beautiful valley of Lozoya and its dam, to start ascending Navafria ,taking us to the side of the Segovian range. This is not a very steep ride, although long. From there we can have beautiful views of the valley and the pine woods. The descent is agreeable and peaceful. It takes us to small villages that still have all the charm of past times.
Pedraza outstands them all. We enter the village through an arch in its walls. Some of the houses once belonged to noble families and on the façade they still keep the families´ coat of arms. There, we will have the chance to eat the famous Segovian lamb.

Day 3. Segovia. 52 km. 120 mts. gradient.
We leave Pedraza, and look forward to our arrival in Segovia. We go through small villages with Romanesque churches and refreshing fountains, sparrows and hawks will be looking upon us as we go through the silent roads. We reach Segovia, crossing the Roman aqueduct (the best preserved in the world) and we sample some regional wine along with an aperitif. After resting at the hotel we visit the cathedral, the Alcazar (fortress) and the charming old part of the town.

Day 4. El Escorial (Madrid). 55 km. 200 mts. gradient.
Today we have a very intense day. After visiting the sumptuous Palace of La Granja with its fountains and gardens we leave either on a forest path or by road, passing by streams and centenary trees to reach El Escorial , always with superb views. We stop at a small village to recover some strength and we can also visit The Valley of the Fallen (Monument to all the Spaniards that died during the civil war and Franco´s tomb).

Day 5. Madrid.
Today we don´t have a long ride to do. We will be touring the outskirts of El Escorial and we will be visiting "Philip II´s chair” (A carved stone in the shape of a seat from where Philip II contemplated the process of the monastery works), the monastery gardens and the hills of El Escorial . We will be leaving the bikes to visit the monastery, we will have lunch and continue to Madrid by minibus. Afternoon and evening are free. As an optional choice we offer you a flamenco show with dinner.

Day 6. Madrid.
Free day. We will be giving information and tips on things to do and places to go to. The choice is very large. Not to be missed are: The Royal Palace, Plaza Mayor (main central square) and some museums. Another option: Get to know Madrid by bicycle with Bravo Bike!

Day 7. End of trip.
If you have the time, we suggest you go to the Retiro (classical park with lots of things going on in it), or to "el rastro ", a flea market. Transfer to airport in our minibus when needed.