Struggling to find new and fun things to do in Madrid on a budget? We bet you didn’t know that one of the most underrated experiences in Madrid is hiking. Yep, you heard that right. Due to its elevated location and proximity to the mountains, hidden forests and other places not commonly visited by tourists, the outside area of Madrid is home to several adventurous hiking routes. Spotahome rounded up five of our favorites, catered to your fitness level, season and the views.

Best hiking near Madrid

  1. Cercedilla (easy): for ‘the sound of music’ feeling.
  2. Cotos Forest (easy): to bring out your inner Katniss.
  3. Abedular Canencia (medium): for the scenery. Seriously.
  4. La Pedriza (medium): for the extra special mountain views.
  5. Sierra de Guadarrama (difficult): for the snow (and snowboarding, of course).

Cercedilla

FOR ‘THE SOUND OF MUSIC’ FEELING

Best time for hiking: Summer or Spring

Fitness level: Easy

How to get there: Take the train line C-8 from Atocha Renfe to Cercedilla or the bus number 684 from Moncloa Intercambiador station to Cercedilla. Journey time: 1 hour 17 minutes.

Photo source: http://yourlandmyland.com/

Cotos Forest

TO BRING OUT YOUR INNER KATNISS

Best time for hiking: Spring

Fitness level: Easy

How to get there: Take the bus number 194 from Plaza Castilla to Rascafria. Journey time: 2 hours 22 minutes.

Cotos hiking trails

Abedular Canencia

FOR THE SCENERY

Best time for hiking: Autumn

Fitness level: Medium

How to get there: Take the bus number 725 from Intercambiador Plaza Castilla to Bustarviejo town.

Abedular Canencia hiking trails

Photo source: http://www.meetup.com/es-ES/sportypeople

La Pedriza

FOR THE MOUNTAIN VIEWS

Best time for hiking: Spring

Fitness level: Medium

How to get there: Take the bus number 724 from Madrid Plaza de Castilla to Manzanares el Real.

Photo source: http://www.meetup.com/es-ES/senderismo-via-libre

Sierra de Guadarrama

FOR THE SNOW (and snowboarding)

Best time for hiking: Winter

Fitness level: Hard

How to get there: Take the bus number 684 from Madrid Moncloa station to Cercedilla. Journey time: 1 hour 17 minutes.

Photo source: http://sunnymountains.com/

Don’t want to hike alone? Check out these hiking in Madrid meetup groups!

Hiking in The Community of Madrid

Sporty People Meetup Group

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