Natural pools of Rascafr\u00eda (Presillas) and the Purgatorio waterfall<\/h3>\n
Depending on the season we are in, we can enjoy the Sierra de Madrid in different ways. For example, in summer it is an obligatory excursion to the natural pools of Rascafr\u00eda<\/strong>. A the Presillas<\/strong> It can be reached by car, which takes about an hour and a half, or by bus from Plaza de Castilla. It is a recreational area with large green meadows and three swimming pools located on the banks of the Lozoya River. From here there are several routes that can be done on foot, such as the one that goes to the Purgatory waterfall,<\/strong> Highly recommended for children, who will enjoy swimming in waterfalls of more than 10 metres, but the water is frozen!<\/p>\n The other route we highlight is at the foot of the Valsa\u00edn Mountains, in the Segovian area of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The Donkey's Mouth <\/strong>is an excursion suitable for children because it is practically flat and has a distance of 4 km. It can be reached by car up to the Los Asientos recreational area<\/strong>, on the C1-601 that connects Navacerrada with Segovia. Here you will find a large play area, a bar and a picnic area. Bordering the Eresma River, you will pass small waterfalls and bridges until you reach the remains of an aqueduct that supplied water to the village of Valsa\u00edn in the 18th century.<\/p>\n If you like hiking with children, you can't miss the excursion to the roman road<\/strong>. A route through the pine forests of the Sierra de Guadarrama, walking through centuries of history. To get here, take the A-6 to Guadarrama and take the road to Cercedilla. From there you reach Las Dehesas, where the recreational area is located. Leave your car in the Majaval\u00e1n car park. From here the excursion starts, which has a distance of 8km with a gradient of 400 metres. The first few metres are the hardest, but the scenery is worth it. It can be done both in winter, when everything is snowed in, and in summer, in the coolness of the pines.<\/p>\n In autumn, Madrid's Sierra is a spectacle of colour. That's why the following destination should be one of the first options: The Montejo Beech Forest. <\/strong>You can get there from the A-1 to the village of Montejo de la Sierra and then take the M-139 road. When you reach the course of the river Jarama you will find a car park where you can leave your car. Access to the beech forest is restricted, so it is necessary to book a visit in advance, either online or by following this link, Sierra del Rinc\u00f3n<\/u><\/a> , or at the visitor centre itself. Admission is free and the excursion is always guided. The children will love to listen to the explanations of the guides with the names of some of the beech trees, such as the elephant's foot or the hundreds of years that some of them are hundreds of years old. They will give you all the information you need: 91 869 70 58.<\/strong><\/p>\n We no longer have any excuse to go hiking in autumn. Our next suggestion is to walk among centenary chestnut trees and pick up a few chestnuts along the way. We have to go by car to the town of El Tiemblo in Avila, about 90 km from Madrid, on the M-501. Look for the sign indicating the El Regajo recreational area <\/strong>where the car park is located. Before we have to pay \u20ac6 per car and another \u20ac2 per adult to gain access. The route is on foot, about 4.5 km, very easy to do with children, even with a pushchair. At this time of year the landscape is spectacular with its ochre, yellow and orange colours. The protagonist of this route is The Grandfather<\/em>. A chestnut tree that could be 500 years old and its trunk, 10 metres in circumference, has served as a shelter for shepherds in the area. The children love to have their photos taken here, you don't see such a specimen every day.<\/p>\n Just an hour's drive from Madrid we find a spectacular natural setting. The Gorges of the Durat\u00f3n River<\/strong> are located in the town of Sep\u00falveda, in the province of Segovia. A place for hiking along the river or for an activity for all the family: canoeing. From April until September, different companies organise these canoeing routes. There are several options; half day or full day, with or without a monitor and with different routes along the Hoces. We will also be able to see the vultures in the wild. We will see them gliding very close to us. It is considered the largest colony of griffon vultures in the wild in Europe.<\/p>\n Undoubtedly, an excursion not to be missed in your agenda, highly recommended especially in the summer months.<\/p>\n And very close to the Hoces we find this medieval town with a castle that children will love. Declared a Historic-Artistic Site, Pedraza offers visitors several monuments, among which the following stand out for their curiosity La C\u00e1rcel de la Villa.<\/strong> Located at the entrance to the village, we can visit the dungeon with the stocks that were put on the prisoners or the area where the jailer lived. In short, a way of bringing the Middle Ages and how they lived in those times closer to children. It is open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 11.30 to 14.00 and from 15.30 to 19.30 and the entrance fee is 3 euros. For more information you can call\u00a0921 50 99 55.<\/strong><\/p>\n Our first proposal is to ride on a steam train from the 1940s. The journey that the children will experience takes them back to no less than the 16th century, the time of Philip II, just when he ordered the construction of the El Escorial monastery. The departure is from Pr\u00edncipe P\u00edo station and along the way we will see costumed characters from that period who will enliven the trip. The excursion continues in San Lorenzo de El Escorial with different activities that can be carried out during the day. The return is in the afternoon. For more information I leave you the direct link www.trendefelipeii.com<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n It may not be well known, but this museum is located in a privileged place in the Sierra de Guadarrama. To get there from Madrid you have to go towards San Lorenzo de El Escorial and at km 5.6 of the M-600 road you will find the El Tomillar recreational area<\/em><\/strong>A centre for Scientific and Cultural Dissemination about Nature. Among centuries-old pine trees, this museum displays hundreds of invertebrates, such as colourful butterflies, beetles or spectacular spiders. There are both living species and a collection of stuffed insects from all over the world, with their texture, colour and body parts intact. There are guided tours, workshops and even night outings during the summer months. Prices are as follows:<\/p>\n - General admission. 7\u20ac (over 10 years old up to 65)<\/p>\n - Reduced admission 5\u20ac (children under 10 and seniors)<\/p>\n There is nothing more original than a trip through the Guadarrama mountains on a donkey. They are very noble animals and ideal for children because of their size. In Madrid the Association Dejando Huella<\/em><\/strong> in the town of Mataelpino, wants to recover this animal that nowadays is in danger of disappearing. That is why they have created this activity for children, they will be able to feed and brush them, as well as get to know the mountains and their environment. This activity includes: a visit to the farm where the donkeys are bred and a ride on their backs, a guided walking tour of the surrounding area accompanied by the donkeys. The visit lasts 2 hours and the prices are as follows:<\/p>\n . Adults: 10\u20ac.<\/p>\n . Children: 15\u20ac.<\/p>\n . Children under 3 years: free of charge In the municipality of Tres Cantos we find Burroland<\/em><\/strong>. This is a donkey shelter where we can spend a morning enjoying other animals such as horses, ducks and goats. And it is free of charge. The only thing we have to pay for is their food if you want to feed them. A different plan to bring children closer to these friendly animals.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>Who said you were afraid of bees? Original as they come, we propose an activity in which children become beekeepers for a day. You can learn everything from what an apiary is, life in the hives and how to tell the difference between drones, queens and workers. We will visit a real beehive, but we will be well protected with a suit like those worn by beekeepers. And after the visit we will taste the honey. This activity can be found in different places in the mountains of Madrid that are dedicated exclusively to beekeeping. All of them include a guided tour and an optional lunch. For example, in Hoyo de Manzanares it lasts 3 hours and the prices are:<\/p>\n . Adults: 10\u20ac.<\/p>\n . Children: 15\u20ac.<\/p>\n . Children under 4 years: free of charge<\/p>\n In the Bustarviejo Beekeeping Classroom<\/strong> the minimum age to enter the apiaries is 6 years old. In the Sierra Norte de Madrid we find this other place: Family Beekeeping Day<\/a>, The prices are as follows:<\/p>\n 20\u20ac over 14 years old And from the world of bees we move on to the vineyards. Very close to Madrid we can spend a morning with the family learning how wine is made, visiting the wineries and strolling through the vineyards. While the grown-ups can take part in a wine tasting session, the children will have fun decorating barrels or playing among the vines accompanied by monitors. The activity takes place in the town of Cadalso de los Vidrios<\/strong> (80 km southwest of Madrid) and includes a picnic lunch in a vineyard and lasts 3 hours. Prices range from 28\u20ac for adults to 15\u20ac for children. Children under 3 years old are free of charge. Without a doubt one of the children's favourite excursions. Because it is one of the few places in Spain where you can see a pack of Iberian wolves up close. Located in the northwest of Madrid, in Peralejo<\/strong> very close to El Escorial, is a 100% recommendable animal recovery centre. Through a 2 and a half km path you will be able to contemplate the native fauna and flora of the area. Animals such as foxes, wolves, lynxes, griffon vultures, deer, wild cats, mouflons, .... and up to 27 different species that you will be able to see in their natural habitat. The prices are as follows:<\/p>\n . Adults: 10,50 \u20ac.<\/p>\n . Children from 4 years old: 9\u20ac.<\/p>\n All the information is available at this link: Ca\u00f1ada Real<\/a><\/p>\nThe Donkey's Mouth<\/h3>\n
Roman road in Cercedilla<\/h3>\n
Montejo beech forest<\/h3>\n
THE CHESTNUT ROUTE<\/strong><\/h2>\n
CANOEING IN THE HOCES OF THE DURAT\u00d3N RIVER<\/strong><\/h2>\n
PEDRAZA<\/strong><\/h2>\n
THE TRAIN OF PHILIP II<\/strong><\/h2>\n
THE INSECT PARK MUSEUM <\/strong><\/h2>\n
DONKEY RIDES<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/madridactiva.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/Ni\u00f1o-con-Burros.jpg\")
<\/p>\nBEEKEEPER FOR A DAY<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n10\u20ac from 6 to 14 years old
\nNot recommended for children under 6 years of age.<\/p>\nVISIT A VINEYARD<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/madridactiva.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/Foto-ni\u00f1os-en-vi\u00f1edos.jpg\")
<\/p>\nANIMAL RECOVERY CENTRE <\/strong><\/h2>\n
THE LAVENDER FESTIVAL<\/strong><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/madridactiva.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/Foto-Familia-Campos-de-Lavanda-e1530696440799.jpg\")
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