Mirador de las Canchas from La Barranca

Mirador de las Canchas is the easy win in Valle de la Barranca. Wide forest track through pine, steady climb, then an open terrace with Maliciosa and Bola del Mundo right in your face. On a clear day you can even pick out Madrid in the distance.

It's one of those walks people do when they want sierra views without a summit push. Good for a half day. Busy on sunny Sundays, quieter midweek.

Quick facts

• Start: La Barranca parking area, above Navacerrada town (M-601 toward the pass)
• Finish: same place (out and back, or a simple loop via Senda Ortiz)
• Distance: about 8 to 11 km, depending on whether you return the same way or loop
• Time: 2.5 to 3.5 hours
• Climb: roughly 300 to 350 m
• Feel: easy to moderate. Mostly comfortable forest track

The walk

From the Barranca car parks / recreation area, follow the main forest track up the valley. Lots of shade. You'll pass junctions signed toward Maliciosa or Bola del Mundo. Stay with the Canchas / main track unless you're deliberately making a longer day.

The mirador opens suddenly: rocks to sit on, info boards, and that big balcony view. Eat something, take photos, then either reverse the track or continue into a loop (Senda Ortiz is a common way to vary the return).

In snow the track is still doable for many people, but ice patches happen. Poles help.

How to get there from Madrid

By bus

Take bus 691 from the Moncloa interchange toward Navacerrada / Puerto de Navacerrada. Get off in Navacerrada town (not Cotos). From the village you still need to reach La Barranca parking on the M-601. Options people use:

• taxi from Navacerrada up to La Barranca
• a short lift from other hikers
• or walk up the road / linking paths if you want extra kilometres

Some 691 services continue toward the pass and can leave you closer depending on the stop. Check the current timetable and stop list before you go.

By car

A-6, then M-601 toward Puerto de Navacerrada. La Barranca parking is signed before you reach the pass. It fills early on good weekends.

Coming back

Back to Navacerrada, then bus 691 to Moncloa. Leave time for the transfer from Barranca to the bus stop.

What to pack

Normal hiking shoes, water, a light layer, sun cream. The pine keeps shade, but the mirador itself is open and can be windy. Offline map if it's your first time through the junctions.

Coffee in Navacerrada afterward is easy. This is just a route note so you know what you're walking into.