DISCOVERING & ENJOYING REGION SPAIN GUIDE FOR CYCLING TOURISTS CICLAMADRID CONNECTS! CYCLING TOURISM CICLAMADRID · Guide for CYCLING TOURISTS Contents DISCOVER THE REGION OF MADRID ON TWO WHEELS » What is CICLAMADRID? » CICLAMADRID Map » CICLAMADRID Destinations CONNECT TO DISCONNECT CICLAMADRID EXPERIENCES » GRAND TOUR » SIERRA DE GUADARRAMA • Classic mountain passes across the Guadarrama mountain range • Family Cycle Tourism in the Sierra de Guadarrama • MTB adventure in the Sierra de Guadarrama • Family MTB in the Sierra de Guadarrama » SIERRA NORTE • Cycling tourism on the Lozoya Nature Trail • CiclaMadrid MTB Tour » GREENWAYS • Tajuña Greenway, and The 40 Days Train Greenway • River Guadarrama Greenway RECOMMENDATIONS CICLAMADRID · Guide for CYCLING TOURISTS 3 DISCOVER the Region of Madrid on two wheels Just an hour from Madrid city centre, through a series of radial corridors and at whatever pace you want to set in the saddle, you can enjoy the wealth of destinations the region has to offer. Whether you choose easy-to-cycle routes with little difficulty or fancy some more active and challenging MTB or prefer to just stick to road cycling, there are plenty of combinations for the cyclist to enjoy the many natural, cultural and gastronomic attractions of the Region of Madrid. Set your own pace, as a group or with friends or family. If you have an intermediate level, you’ll enjoy the CiclaMadrid MTB Tour Sierra Norte, where you can challenge yourself with climbs of up to 1800 metres. Alternatively, if you're looking for something a little more accessible, choose the cycling tourism routes through the Sierra de Guadarrama. Your reward for crossing the finish line will be lunch in a picturesque village. You're guaranteed to enjoy it. Lose yourself in the forests of the Sierra de la Herrería, escape the city to visit the birth home of Cervantes in Alcalá de Henares, and if you're fan of the universal classics why not take a literary tour. Take a walk through the Gardens of the Royal Palace of Aranjuez, and you’ll feel like a king! Get pedalling through the Sierra de Guadarrama, crossing pastures of holm oak; discover picturesque villages home to more than 400 Assets of Cultural Interest and around 300 museums, as well as numerous castles and fortresses. Discover the region's culture of wine-making, visiting vineyards and wineries while enjoying the excellent gastronomy on offer. Are you going to miss it out? 4 Chinchón CICLAMADRID · Guide for CYCLING TOURISTS 5 WHAT IS CICLAMADRID? CICLAMADRID is a network of cycling routes totalling more than 980 kilometres throughout the Region of Madrid. It is designed for all levels and interests. It brings together cycling and tourism in a sustainable, easy and healthy way with the best cultural, traditional and gastronomic attractions the region has to offer. It is the brand created by Madrid’s regional tourist board in collaboration with tourism businesses and the other public stakeholders, committed to cycling tourism as a path for the sustainable development of the entire region. There is a network of agencies, accommodation and technical support companies specialised in providing cyclists with the best services, offering complete, tailored packages. You can find more information on the CiclaMadrid Connects! app and on the websites: www.ciclamadrid.es www.cyclemadrid.com 6 CICLAMADRID · Guide for CYCLING TOURISTS 7 Aranjuez Corridor Access CICLAMADRID · Guide for CYCLING TOURISTS Cyclists Green Ring in Madrid Braojos Lozoya 8 Greenways Road route El Bolao- Montejo de Cerceda La Sierra El Escorial Valdemanco Pelayos Navas de la Presa del Rey Valdemorillo Chapinería Railway station Metro station El Molar World Heritage Villamanta Towns of Madrid Talaaa del aaa El Álamo Algete Ajalvir Aana e Re Tielmes 9 CICLAMADRID DESTINATIONS GRAND TOUR, CONNECT TO DISCCONNECT THE GRAND TOUR connects destinations and tourist The 420-kilometre perimeter route is connected to the city attractions and invites cyclists to escape their routine, of Madrid through a number of radial corridors, for a grand total of 720 kilometres. offering the opportunity to discover the region in all its glory. Some points of the network also provide public transport access for cycling tourists. There are several tourist products created especially for different profiles Access all the available information and itineraries from of cycling tourists, from those traveling as part of a group to families and experts or lovers of “slow tourism”. your mobile device, downloading the CICLAMADRID CONNECT! app. World Heritage in Madrid Towns of Madrid Sierra de Guadarrama Sierra Norte Greenways 10 CICLAMADRID · Guide for CYCLING TOURISTS 11 Alcalá de San Lorenzo de Henares El Escorial Aranjuez The birthplace of Miguel de The perfect combination of art and Whether on two wheels or on foot, Cervantes, Alcalá de Henares lives nature. This is an elegant town rich in Aranjuez is the perfect place to lose and breathes culture. The University heritage and monuments. The town yourself. It is the perfect combination of Alcalá de Henares was the world’s itself sits alongside the Monastery of the wild nature of the forest and first planned university city. If you're of El Escorial. It is surrounded by the refined lines of the architecture. passionate about archaeology, a mountains and forests like Monte Discover a unique cultural landscape visit to the Regional Museum of Abantos, a pine forest and the that strikes a perfect balance of Archaeology is a must. pastureland of La Herrería. landscapes, architecture and artistic works. Aranjuez is an homage to music: from May to June you can This is“Don Juan Tenorio” country One of the most fun ways to visit San Lorenzo de El Escorial enjoy musical walks through the and with a little luck you might be from Madrid is to take the Philip gardens. The lands here aslo produce able to catch a play during your visit. II Tourist Train. The vintage 20th delicious fruit and vegetables and you And’s don’t miss out on a tapas crawl! century locomotive and carriages can enjoy the local produce in the Hayedo de Alcalá is famous for the tapas served capture perfectly the atmosphere of many fine restaurants. free with drinks in the local bars. the 1940s. One of the carriages is Montejo Forest even perfectly fitted for passengers with bicycles. Take the Strawberry Train from Madrid and not only will it take you This old beech forest is one of to Aranjuez, but this exact replica of the must-visits of the northern It's an experience the old railway will transport you to Sierra; and a UNESCO World fit for a king! another era. One of the carriages is Heritage Site. it's colour palette is even perfectly fitted for passengers astounding. with bicycles (runs seasonally). Cycling is not permitted and tickets can pre-booked online or in person at the Information Centre. It's just wild flora and fauna and you. Don’t forget to try the local beans: the famous judiones de Montejo! 12 Alcalá de Henares CICLAMADRID · Guide for CYCLING TOURISTS 13 Towns of Madrid Sierra de Guadarrama Los Molinos played a prominent Eleven secrets The Sierra de Guadarrama boasts to discover role on the Sierra de Guadarrama remarkable landscapes and natural front during the Spanish Civil War. by bicycle, eleven value and is an extraordinary refuge The Route of the Bunkers will take unique destinations for biodiversity. Combine stages in you to La Casamata de Majaltobar, that retain their the saddle with other interesting La Casamata de Los Huertos and rural authenticity. activities on offer in the area: La Hermanita de los Pobres, among bird-watching routes, visits to other places. There are even guided farms, family mushroom-picking tours of these remnants of the In autumn in Rascafría, local wild excursions, night-time stargazing war now surrounded by peace and mushrooms take pride of place on the and even yoga and meditation tranquillity. local restaurant menus. Patones is retreats and lots more. Aranjuez also the perfect destination for a romantic offers cultural and entertainment Guadarrama offers plenty of options getaway. Don’t miss the Corpus options with its medieval antiques to eat. Apart from the delicious local Christi festival in Torrelaguna, or the market, and car show. beef, Madrid is known as Spain’s best Christmas nativity crib in Buitrago de port because the finest prawns and Lozoya. Visit the castle of Manzanares Don’t miss out on the 15th century seafood are sold here. del Real, which seems to be taken Castillo Nuevo de los Mendoza straight from a fairy tale. in Manzanares el Real. As well as this “new” castle the area is aslo Sample the wines of the D.O. Madrid home to the remains of another, even appellation in San Martín de older. It is one the gems of not only Valdeiglesias. Find out why Nuevo Madrid’s military architecture but Baztán is a little piece of Navarre in of the medieval architecture of the the Region of Madrid. Park your bike Kingdom of Castile. and treat yourself to a glass of anise in Chinchón. Or try a local wine while Chinchón grazing on some patatas chulas in Colmenar de Oreja. If you're a film buff, check out the Museum of Cinema in Villarejo de Salvanés and combine it with sampling the great local tapas tradition. In summer, enjoy evenings of wine and jazz in Navalcarnero. Fancy it? 14 CICLAMADRID · Guide for CYCLING TOURISTS 15 Sierra Norte Greenways You can find nature, sports, culture There are several corridors that connect and gastronomy any day of the the city of Madrid with the CiclaMadrid week in Madrid's Sierra Norte Grand Tour. You can cycle the length of mountains. Visit the Monastery of two greenways that coincide with two of El Paular, and explore the Valley these corridors.