Dehesa de Navalquejigo

Highlights

  • • Mosaic of holm-oak, melojo oak and ash woodland in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama
  • • Birdwatching reserve home to booted eagle, black kite, hoopoe and European roller
  • • Historic stretch of the Cañada Real Segoviana with shepherd's dolmens and dry-stone walls
  • • 9 km circular route linking El Escorial with Las Zorreras-Navalquejigo station
  • • Easy access by Cercanías (line C-8a) within a landscape protected by the Region of Madrid

Description

The Dehesa de Navalquejigo stretches northwest of El Escorial, deep in the Sierra de Guadarrama, and is one of the finest examples of ash-grove, oak woodland and open holm-oak dehesa in the Region of Madrid. Its mosaic of pastures, rockrose and open woodland makes it an outstanding birdwatching area, with regular sightings of booted eagle, black kite, hoopoe and European roller, among other species.

The dehesa is crossed by the historic Cañada Real Segoviana drovers' road and by traditional paths linking El Escorial with the medieval village of Navalquejigo and the Las Zorreras-Navalquejigo train station. The roughly nine-kilometre route runs past shepherd's dolmens, stone fountains, dry-stone walls and traces of the seasonal livestock migration that has crossed this land for centuries. In spring the ash trees turn the dehesa a luminous green; in autumn the melojo oaks add copper tones and a carpet of acorns that draws livestock and wildlife alike.

Key Information

Pricing

Free

Kid-Friendly Pet-Friendly No Booking Required

Related Destinations

Guide

Essential information for visiting Dehesa de Navalquejigo

Location

How to get there

By carBy public transport
Practical Information
Pricing
Free
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours
Features & Services
  • Kid-Friendly:Yes
  • Pet-Friendly:Yes
  • Booking:No Booking Required
Planning Information

Visitor Tips

Wear hiking shoes and bring plenty of water, especially in summer. The trails have little continuous shade. In spring, take binoculars for birdwatching. Respect the dry-stone walls and livestock gates — leave them as you find them. If mountain biking, avoid spring (nesting season) and always stick to the cañadas, never going off-trail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about Dehesa de Navalquejigo

By car along the M-505 from El Escorial, or by Cercanías commuter train to Las Zorreras-Navalquejigo (line C-8a). Signposted paths leave from both points and enter the dehesa directly.
No. Access is free and open all year round. It is a protected area, so please respect the wildlife, stay on the paths and take all rubbish with you.
Yes, on a lead at all times. The dehesa is used by livestock and hosts nesting birds, so keeping your dog under control is especially important in spring.
Spring (April-June) for the bloom and bird activity, and autumn (October-November) for the colours of the melojo oaks. Summer middays can be very hot — go early in the morning.
Yes. Routes are gentle and well signposted. It's a great place to introduce children to birdwatching and to the history of transhumance.