And where do we have to go to explore the first blue trail in Madrid? On the banks of the Guadarrama River… but not in the mountains, but in the municipality of Las Rozas where we find a route of just over two kilometers that can be traveled in just under half an hour and that starts under the iconic Retamar Bridge.
Camino Viejo de Las Matas: the blue trail of Madrid
If you are coming from the capital, to get to the beginning of this trail you must take the A-6 and exit in Las Rozas on the El Escorial Highway o M-505 heading towards the Puente de Retamar Recreational Area next to the bridge of the same name: here there is a small parking lot where you can leave your car.
Behind the parking lot is this bridge, which is one of the most emblematic in the Community of Madrid. It was built at the end of the 17th century when it became necessary to have a bridge downstream from the Herrera bridge in Galapagar, about ten kilometers to the north, to go straight from Madrid to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. Let us not forget that at the end of the previous century the monastery that became the royal palace of the Austrias.
But the project encountered difficulties and it was not until 1727, already in the time of the Bourbons, when Pedro de Ribera – author of the Puente de Toledo or the hermitage of the Virgen del Puerto, both in the capital, in addition to the venerated “Escorial manchego” ” by Uclés in Cuenca—the one who finished the work with its seven semicircular arches provided with breakwaters with conical capsthe most emblematic of the set.
In addition to this history lesson that the bridge offers us, the recreational area has an area of stone tables that can be used to make a good snack. But that will be later, on the way back, since we haven’t walked at all yet.
Always heading north, along a good dirt and pebble path, we begin the Camino Viejo de Las Matas that runs along the eastern bank of the Guadarrama, a key aspect that has allowed this small path to receive its blue distinction.
After passing under the M-505, the path becomes a little more sinuous and picturesque around the Arroyo de la Torre and then returns to the bank of the Guadarrama. And we must not forget that we are within the Regional Park of the middle course of the Guadarrama River, a long and narrow strip around the banks of the Guadarrama with about 50 kilometers in length. You may be surprised to find so many chalets in a protected environment, but let’s not forget, either, that this is the Community of Madrid…
The next point to highlight on the Camino Viejo de las Matas is the reservoir of the Sickle Mill of only ten hectares that is already located between the municipalities of Galapagar and Las Rozas. At the southern end of the reservoir there is a viewpoint from which you can have a panoramic view of the whole.
But the Camino Viejo de las Matas covers its last section in a northeasterly direction, leaving the reservoir on the right and entering urbanized territory. And it is in this area that the Molino de la Hoz urbanization was created in the 60s. In fact, the reservoir originally had a recreational function for the residents of the area, but it has finally been used by various people. migratory birds who have turned it into their habitat.
Although the end of the blue path is marked at the point where Cetrería Street connects with Gavilán Street, you can continue walking and go around the reservoir crossing to the other shore of the Guadarrama through the bridge that is located to the north. The path It happens to be about 5 kilometers in total, but it is circular and more entertaining than ending up “admiring” urbanizations.
What are blue trails?
Surely you are familiar with the blue flag on beaches, which is not information about the state of the sea, but rather an award given by the Environmental Education Foundation (FEE) made up of more than 100 NGOs from various countries. Its Spanish branch is ADEACthe Environmental and Consumer Education Association.
Well, the blue trails are the hiking version of the blue flag, an emblem and award. born in 2011 and applied first to a dozen coastal paths linked to beaches where the flag flew.
Since 2022, the program has been open to the participation of any municipality or managing body that wishes to submit a trail candidacy, regardless of its participation in the Blue Flag program for beaches and marinas. And this is how the blue trails begin to also reach the interior of Spainwhich is why, at the moment, there are so few (or none) in communities like Extremadura, Castilla y León, or Castilla-La Mancha.
And what criteria must a trail have to be “painted” blue? Here You can consult the guidelines that include standards on information, signage and infrastructure, conservation and management of cultural and natural heritage and, of course, public use. And if you want to see the complete list of trails to see which one is closest to you, click here.
