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INTRODUCTION
Distance: 13.99 kilometers
Maximum altitude: 744 meters
Technical difficulty: Low
Route type: Circular
Time: 3 hours 10 minutes
A route through Monte de Valdelatas, where we'll enjoy nature, traversing inland paths and crossing small streams over various wooden bridges. Our route will wind through holm oak and pine forests, as well as through an area of riparian vegetation known as Los Carriles. Monte de Valdelatas is an essential enclave for the ecological balance of the area and offers a serene refuge for a wide variety of flora and fauna species, making it an ideal place for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts.
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1. Start of route. Parking
We depart from the service road of the M-607 highway, in a designated area near the hospital. We begin our route along the path that runs parallel to the Barranco del Lobo.
2. Snake Pontoon
The Pontón de la Culebra is a small aqueduct that forms part of the Canal de Isabel II and crosses Monte de Valdelatas from north to south. In use for 150 years, it carries water from the Lozoya River to Madrid.
After the pontoon, a path opens up in an area of small oak trees. Continue along it until you reach the bridge that crosses the Canal de Isabel II.
3. Bridges
We will cross the bridge over the Isabel II canal and then the bridge over the Arroyo.
Once we cross the bridge we will find a crossroads and we will take the one on the left.
Our walk passes through a beautiful pine forest where we can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view.
4. Natural Area of the Carriles
Los Carriles is a space where wild natural species such as holm oaks, brooms, lavenders, and hawthorns grow.
5. Valdelatas Pine Forest
A lush pine forest where we can find rabbits, hares, and small rodents such as the garden dormouse, red squirrel, and field mouse. Occasionally, foxes and wild boar can be spotted, coming from other nearby wooded areas. Wood pigeons, magpies, and insectivorous birds such as the great tit, the blue tit, the green woodpecker, the golden oriole, and the hoopoe are abundant.
6. Picnic Area
A rest area with tables for eating and enjoying a picnic.
7. Bridge of contaminated waters
We follow this path until we reach a crossroads and continue to the left, reaching the Bridge, which crosses over the Valdeguilla Stream.
8. Vallegrande Aqueduct
Together with the Pontón de la Culebra, they form part of the so-called Lower Canal.
A work more than 150 years old that continues to transport water from the Lozoya River to Madrid for more than 70 kilometers.
9. End of route.
We continued walking surrounded by pine trees to the entrance parking lot.