Lagunas de Castrejón

Highlights

  • • Five seasonal endorheic lagoons over granite at more than 1,400 m altitude
  • • Balancing rocks and iconic blocks such as El Fraile across the Machota crag
  • • Melojo oaks, chestnut groves, juniper and broom layered by altitude
  • • Historic transhumance resting place beside the Colada de la Encrucijada drovers' road
  • • Guided trail accessible just 1 km from the centre of Zarzalejo

Description

The Lagunas de Castrejón are a group of five seasonal endorheic lagoons set above 1,400 metres of altitude, at the foot of Machota Baja and barely one kilometre from the village of Zarzalejo. They fill with the winter and spring rains and snowmelt and dry out again in summer, making them a distinctive wetland within the Sierra de Guadarrama north-west of Madrid.

The site is striking for its granite geomorphology, with balancing rocks and iconic blocks such as El Fraile, and for vegetation arranged in tiers: melojo oaks and chestnut groves at the base, juniper on the mid-slopes and broom on the higher ground. It was once a resting place for transhumant herds — it sits beside the Colada de la Encrucijada and a stone's throw from the Cañada Real Leonesa — and today it is a refuge for wildlife and locals alike. The Region of Madrid legally protects the area for its landscape, ecological and historical value.

Key Information

Pricing

Free

Kid-Friendly Pet-Friendly No Booking Required

Related Destinations

Guide

Essential information for visiting Lagunas de Castrejón

Location

How to get there

By carBy public transport

In this area

ZarzalejoMunicipio
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

Visit early in the morning in spring to spot amphibians and birds at the water's edge — bring binoculars. In winter there may be ice on the rocks: take care when walking over the granite outcrops. Respect the dry-stone walls and don't let dogs into the water — the lagoons are a breeding ground for protected amphibians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about Lagunas de Castrejón

They are seasonal lagoons: they fill with the winter and spring rains and snow and dry out in summer. The best time to see them with water is from February to May.
On foot — a short path of just over 1 km leaves the village and climbs towards Machota Baja. Zarzalejo's town council runs guided walks here on a regular basis.
Hiking shoes, water and warm clothing in winter — the site is above 1,400 m. In summer, a hat and sun protection. The route is not technical but the ground is stony and mossy.
No. They are shallow and ecologically very fragile, as well as a historic livestock crossing. Swimming is forbidden and visitors are asked to stay out of the water to avoid disturbing the amphibian fauna.
Park in the village of Zarzalejo and walk up. There is no car park by the lagoons and the rural tracks are closed to motor traffic.