Sierra de Guadarrama

Above the vast sweep of the meseta (tableland) that is Castilla La Mancha.

Situated in the Sierra de Guadarrama, on the northern, Segolvia Province, side of the watershed.

Sierra de Guadarrama backdrop. Between Zarzalejo and El Escorial, Madrid Province.

Yes, it IS a fence! Of sorts!! Behind is San Lorenzo de EL Escorial and Abantos.

Peña del Tejo, Mondalindo half in cloud and La Sierra de La Cabrera.

The highest peak of the Sierra de Guadarrama, Peñalara, can be seen on the horizon to the right. Mid picture is the disused railway line that goes under the Sierra from where I took this photo and which I walked through a few years ago. Before Covid, there were plans to re-open the line, which only closed 8 years ago. I recall the trains.

In the Sierra de La Cabrera. Two varieties seen here. I like both the blowsier pure-white petal one and the more compact carmine-flecked one.

Sierra de La Cabrera (Cancho Gordo); natural water erosion.

Cancho Largo and Cancho Gordo. Granite country,

Bosque de La Herrería, El Escorial.

H. A. N. W. E. everyone. Sierra de La Cabrera.

Autumn in La Sierra de La Cabrera.

Contrail over granite, lavender and cistus, Sierra de La Cabrera (pre-Covid).

This tree can be seen from afar. Sierra de La Cabrera.

Soaring above El Cancho Largo, Sierra de La Cabrera. Monochrome seemed to suit the greyness of the day.

Sierra de La Cabrera, holm oak and monastery (In that order!).

I used my trusty English language guidebook to these mountains. It was over 20 years old at the time and the path I was on (which was supposed lead straight back to the palace) was suddenly blocked off at this point. I had no alternative (I had a bus to catch) but to plough on through thorny thickets as tall as houses. I emerged (and caught the bus, just) but with my clothes torn to shreds. The folk on the bus avoided the blooded spectacle completely!

La Sierra de La Pedriza in the Sierra de Guadarrama. Granite country.