🎵 Audio guide
The Majadillo trail is a circular trail which follows the River Árrago then climbs 150m into the foothills of the Sierra de los Ángeles on a forestry track which, at its highest point, has magnificent views. It then descends once again to the river.
The trail passes through a huge variety of natural environments: the river and its gallery forests, holm oak groves, olive orchards, scrub and pine trees in the higher parts of the trail, which are mixed with Mediterranean vegetation in the small valleys.
The trail begins on a tarmac track next to the bridge, Puente de los Pilares and a natural swimming area. It heads south, crossing a patch of large holm oak trees. On the right is the River Árrago and its gallery forest and a beautiful view of Cadalso and the Almenara castle.
Terraces of olive trees start to appear as we get closer to the natural swimming pool, with the Cachones recreation area on the other bank. Olive trees begin to dominate the surroundings of the trail, which capriciously peels away from and returns to the river until we leave it behind as we pass though some pine woods.
With a 90° turn we head away from the Árrago and, after passing through an area of olive trees, we make another sharp turn and start a climb through scrub and pine trees, parallel to the Ardiles stream, its greenery contrasting with the rest of the surroundings.
We reach the end of the tarmac and take the path on the left to ascend next to the plots of land in the valley. Further on, the trail zigzags through an area of pine trees dotted with strawberry trees, willows or oak trees, depending on proximity to the Ardiles stream.
Once we reach the firebreak we are at the highest point of the trail. It’s a good moment to pause and enjoy the panoramic views while resting and regaining our strength in order to tackle the rest of the trail – a steep downhill track.
As we head down the firebreak, through gaps in the thick pine forest we are treated to beautiful views of the Árrago valley, the villages of Santibáñez and Cadalso, the Almenara tower, the Sierra de las Jañonas and the Pilas valley.
Finally, light floods the trail as we emerge from the forest into an area of olive trees with lovely scenic views of the valley.