Senderismo
Walking in the Sierra
The Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park, Zec Zepa Sierra de Ayllón, is characterized by a wide diversity of landscapes both in the physical environment and in the ethnographic and heritage. These differences are marked by the change of geological materials in the 116,953 hectares of this protected area, abrupt changes of materials in different geological eras that determine, together with the topography, different natural ecosystems of high environmental quality.
The best way to interpret the territory is by following the trails on foot, with open senses and the capacity for active observation. In this way, you can discover the past, the present, and even predict the future of the Earth you are stepping on and experiencing at that moment.
The network of trails in the Natural Park of La Sierra Norte de Guadalajara, is wide enough to allow you to discover the biodiversity of the territory, a network of trails for all tastes and abilities, 3 GR (Long Distance Trails): G.R. 10 from Cogolludo to Pontón de la Oliva, passing through the Monastery of Bonaval, the GR60 that in several stages goes around the Ocejón Peak (2048mts) passing through the villages of the Black Architecture and the GR167 that crosses horizontally the north of the area from Prádena de Atienza to the Pontón de la Oliva, and the GR167 that crosses horizontally the north of the area from Prádena de Atienza to the Pontón de la Oliva.from Prádena de Atienza to Cantalojas along with an important network of PR (short distance trails), as well as local trails.
The Park also has a network of 5 Georutas with QR panels where you can learn about the landscape, geology and ethnography of the territory. The Georutas combine different places of interest that communicate with each other by vehicle and through trails lead us to the geological corners of interest of the Natural Park .
In the interpretation centers of Cardoso, Hiendelaencina, which is also the museum of the País de la Plata, Cogolludo (Ducal Palace) or the CIPAT of Tamajón (Paleontological Classroom) you can learn about the different places of interest in the Natural Park.gica) you can find out about the trails and georoutes, in various official websites, websites of the lodgings and Ecotourism activities and publications.
Ascent to Ocejón Peak.
It is not the highest, but it is THE mountain of Guadalajara. The silhouette of its south face alone attracts any mountain or hiking enthusiast. To reach its summit we have 4 approved trails from: Majelrayo CM-1, by Campillo de Ranas PR-GU 01, by Valverde de los Arroyos CM-2 or by Almiruete PR-GU19. Taking advantage of its ascent, we will visit the Arquitectura Negra or the Georuta de Valverde a la Chorrera de Despeñalagua.
GR60 Circular through the black villages
In 5 circular stages we can visit all the villages of the Black Architecture by paths that take us into different landscapes and ecosystems. Sabinares, oak groves, pine forests that communicate the different villages and towns by the paths that our ancestors used. We will see springs used by shepherds, walls where they sheltered the cattle from wolves, old cattle tainas and slate bridges that cross streams of cold and crystalline waters. We can do the GR60 in different stages, stay in rural houses and enjoy the local gastronomy.
Ribera del Sorbe and Umbralejo, the Golden Architecture
The village of Umbralejo is located in the center of the Natural Park, at an altitude of 1,260 meters above sea level and facing west. Included in the Alto Rey Sorbe region and the municipality of La Huerce.
Of medieval origin, it is an example of golden architecture, based on slate and quartzite. This village is today within the program of recovery of Abandoned Villages along with Granadilla in Cáceres and Bubal in Huesca. A circular route ideal for families with children who like hiking takes us from the Sorbe River to Umbralejo where we find an Interpretation Center of the Park. The route takes us to the town of Huerce and through a pleasant path returns us to the cool Sorbe River, a circular route of 12km.
The Roof of Castilla la Mancha, Pico del Lobo
For the mountaineers the ascent to Pico del Lobo with its 2274mts is a trail that you can not miss. There are several ways to ascend. From the village of El Cardoso de la Sierra where we have a Park Interpretation Center, the PRGU20 climbs us in a circular route through the 2 highest mountains of Castilla la Mancha, Cerrón and Lobo. This route is 33 km long so it can only be done by people with the physical preparation and knowledge in mountain. In it we will be able to see the only glacial remains of Castilla la Mancha and high mountain meadows with species of fauna and flora that are only seen in mountain systems of the northern peninsular.
Another more affordable option is to access from Majaelrayo by the Georuta to the Puerto de la Quesera by car and from the port ascend to Pico del Lobo by the circular PRGU-25 with 16km in total and 850 meters of elevation gain is more affordable.
Tejera Negra Beech Forest, World Heritage Site
Located in the town of Cantalojas to the north of the Park, it was declared a site of National Interest in 1974. In 1987 it was declared a Natural Park and in 2017 Unesco declared it a World Heritage Site as an extension of the Carpathian Beechwoods in Europe, a relict forest that comes from much colder (glacial) times than the present. It is the southernmost beech forest in Europe and actually there are 3 forest masses: the Pedrosa beech forest in Segovia and the Montejo beech forest in Madrid, being the Tejera Negra beech forest in Guadalajara the largest one with 400 hectares of beech mass. There are 2 hiking trails, the "Senda del Robledal" that begins at the current access control of 21 km circular and the "Senda de Carretas" of 6 km circular that begins and ends in the parking inside the space. For the access it is necessary permission from the Delegation of Agriculture being autumn the season of more visits.
Inside we can enjoy the mass of beech trees along with specimens of yew, holly, serval and a multitude of protected mammal species. In the beech forest are born the Lillas and Zarzas Rivers that downstream, after joining, form the Sorbe River.
Inside we will find interpretation of the use of charcoal as the main activity of this space with information panels of the flora and fauna of the place.
Cave of the Bear from Prádena de Atienza
From the village of Prádena de Atienza, at the foot of the Alto Rey, which with its 1848 stands out in this mountain range, taking advantage of a section of the GR167 that leaves from Prádena to Cantalojas (51 km crossing the Park from east to west) the trail takes us into the Pelagallinas River Fluvial Reserve to the Cueva del Oso through a pleasant 5km one-way trail. Legend has it that the troops of the Cid Campeador camped in the meadows nearby and that the Cid himself slept in the cave. On the route, which to return follows the same path, we will see constructions of old cattle tainas built in slate and beehives that interpret the importance of this space for the passage of livestock to the Sorbe River in these latitudes.
Waterfalls and lagoons
The Sierra Norte de Guadalajara is full of torrents that carry great flow due to its slope in times of rain, slate gorges that have formed pools and waterfalls. The Lillas and Zarzas Rivers in the Tejera Negra beech forest form beautiful meandering meadows where cattle graze extensively.
The Bornova River, which flows into the Alcorlo reservoir but not before leaving an impressive slate gorge, where at the end of the nineteenth century silver was sought, and the mines of Hiendelaencina are a living ancestor of that. In this village the museum of silver and the Georuta number 4 that runs through it explains this resource and the ethnography of the environment.
Further north of the park, the Glacial Lagoon of Somolinos can be visited from this town in a 10km circular route of great beauty.
Although outside the Park, but with ZEPA protection figure, the Lagunas de Puebla de Beleña are a viewpoint for birds that nest in this place when the lagoons, and only with rainfall, are full of water. A 4km trail leads us to a bird lookout in this place.
But there are 2 water trails that stand out from the rest:
Las chorreras de Despeñalagua in the town of Valverde de los Arroyos, an 80-meter waterfall below the Pico Ocejón of great beauty. It is reached by a path of 4km round trip that does not involve much difficulty.
Cascadas del Aljibe, in the town of Roblelacasa or El Espinar if it is circular, 2 waterfalls in the Soto stream that flows into the Jarama River in spring is a spectacle, too bad that in summer they become dry so it is not recommended at that time. To get there we will use the PRGU-09 trail 9km round trip from Roblelacasa, a village of Black Architecture that deserves a walk for its ethnographic value.