The waterfalls around Madrid sit in the granite and slate hills of the Sierra de Guadarrama, the Sierra Norte and Guadalajara, one to two hours from the city. The walks range from a 35-minute family loop to a 12 km day hike, and they matter more than the height of the fall. Most need a car; two are reachable by bus from Plaza de Castilla, and the Cascada del Purgatorio is off limits for now.
Which waterfall near Madrid should I visit? Without a car, the Cancho in Navalafuente, on bus 726. With children and a car, El Chorro de Navafría, a 1.5 km loop. For a full day’s hike, the Chorrera de San Mamés, a 12 km loop with 389 metres of climb. Skip the Purgatorio until the park reopens its trail.
- Swimming: not allowed at the falls.
- Best season: winter and spring.
- Buses: Plaza de Castilla, metro lines 1, 9 and 10.
Bus 726 reaches Navalafuente in 1 hour 10 minutes from Plaza de Castilla, and the Litueros falls at Somosierra are a 2 km return walk of about an hour from the Ermita de la Soledad, with bus 191 at weekends.
Which waterfall can you visit without a car?
Two have a usable weekend bus. Both leave from Plaza de Castilla, the interchange at the north end of the Castellana, on metro lines 1, 9 and 10. Timetables use the 24-hour clock, and Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays share one timetable on the 726.
| Bus | Waterfall | Out | Back |
|---|---|---|---|
| 726 to Navalafuente | Cascada del Cancho | Every hour, 08:00-22:00, 1 h 10 min | Every hour until 21:30 |
| 191 to Somosierra | Chorrera de los Litueros | 08:00, arrives 09:55 | Saturday 18:45, Sunday 17:55 |
The Cancho walk is the town’s own 5.5 km loop, starting and ending in the village, rated easy and about 2 hours 30 minutes. The Litueros walk is only 2 km there and back, about an hour, so with the 191’s single evening return you will spend most of the day in Somosierra. San Mamés has buses on paper, but the connection at Buitrago leaves no margin: drive there. More car-free walks are in hiking near Madrid by train.
Is the Purgatorio trail open?
Not at the moment. The Sierra de Guadarrama National Park lists the trail as closed after damage from recent rains, with no reopening date.
When open, it is an 11.8 km walk with 264 metres of climb from the Puente del Perdón, near the El Paular monastery. In the same valley you can still do the Finnish Forest walk in Rascafría; note that the monastery car park is reserved for visitors to the monument, and Las Presillas charges 10 euros a car from October to May.
Which walks work with children?
El Chorro de Navafría is the safe choice: the park’s official loop is 1.5 km, about 35 minutes, with 90 metres of climb, classed as a family route. It starts at the El Chorro picnic area, 4 km from Navafría on a signposted track off the SG-612, with parking, toilets and a restaurant. None of these walks suits a pushchair, and even Navafría has boulders at the base.
For children who walk well, the Cancho loop is rated easy over 5.5 km. At the Cascadas del Aljibe, in Guadalajara, reached on a 6.5 km walk there and back, two falls of about 5 and 10 metres drop over slate, and the regional government warns about wet rock with children. Dogs must be kept on a lead in the national park.
Can you swim at Madrid’s waterfalls?
No. The Madrid region allows river swimming only at four zones with five spots, among them Las Presillas in Rascafría, from 15 May to 15 September, and bans it elsewhere in the national park. Las Presillas also bans dogs, which matters if you planned a walk with your dog and a swim. Where you can swim is covered in swimming spots near Madrid.
When is there most water?
Go in winter or spring. San Mamés, a fall of about 30 metres in the Sierra Norte, flows all year and peaks with the snowmelt in late spring; its 12 km loop takes about 3 hours 45 minutes. The Cancho is best in winter and spring. The Aljibe can dry up completely in summer and is best in spring and late autumn after rain.
The Aljibe sits beside the slate-built black villages of Guadalajara, which make a good second stop if you drive.
What might disappoint
Expecting to swim: you cannot, and the Navafría pools are a separate summer facility. Going in August: several falls are a trickle or dry. Planning around the Purgatorio: its trail is shut. And short does not mean smooth: the Litueros ends on stone steps that the town advises against in snow.
For more of the mountains, see Sierra de Guadarrama National Park access and Sierra Norte villages.
Waterfalls near Madrid, questions
Which waterfall near Madrid can I reach by public transport?
The Cancho waterfall in Navalafuente. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, bus 726 leaves Plaza de Castilla every hour from 08:00 to 22:00 and takes 1 hour 10 minutes; buses back leave hourly until 21:30. The town’s signposted loop to the falls is 5.5 km and starts in the village centre.
Is the Purgatorio waterfall trail open?
No. The Sierra de Guadarrama National Park lists the Purgatorio trail in Rascafría as closed after damage from recent rains, with no reopening notice. Check the park’s notices page before going.
Can you swim at waterfalls near Madrid?
No. In the Madrid region, river swimming is only allowed at four official zones with five spots, including Las Presillas in Rascafría, from 15 May to 15 September. It is banned elsewhere in the national park, waterfalls included.
What is the easiest waterfall walk near Madrid with children?
El Chorro de Navafría, in Segovia province: an official 1.5 km loop of about 35 minutes with 90 metres of climb, from the El Chorro picnic area car park. It needs a car, and the rocks at the base make it unsuitable for pushchairs.
When do waterfalls near Madrid have the most water?
In winter and spring. San Mamés flows all year and peaks with the snowmelt in late spring; the Cancho is best in winter and spring; and the Aljibe falls in Guadalajara can run dry in summer.
The Cancho by bus, Navafría with children, San Mamés for a full day, and the park’s notices before you leave.