Parque Regional del Sureste — Chinchón Sector
Immediately south and east of Chinchón, the Parque Regional del Sureste protects a sweeping landscape of gypsum steppe, juniper scrubland and the dramatic canyon of the Río Tajo. It is one of the best places in the Community of Madrid to spot great bustards, little bustards and Montagu's harriers without driving hours from the capital.
Walking the gypsum steppe
The PR-M 49 footpath loops 12 km through the steppe south of Chinchón, passing gypsum outcrops colonised by rare endemic plants including Gypsophila struthium and Lepidium subulatum — species found almost nowhere else in Europe. The trail is waymarked in yellow and white from the car park on the CM-311 road.
Spring (April–May) is peak season: the steppe blooms with yellow rockrose and purple lavender, and great bustard males perform their extraordinary foam-bath display in the open fields. Bring binoculars — these birds keep their distance.
The Tajo canyon and riverside walk
A separate trail descends from the village of Chinchón to the Tajo river valley, passing through terraced olive groves before reaching the riverbank. The canyon walls here reach 40 metres and are pocked with the nesting holes of bee-eaters and sand martins from May to August.
The riverside path connects eventually to Aranjuez, 12 km downstream, making a full linear walk possible if you arrange a return bus. The Tajo at this point is calm enough for a paddle in summer, and the riparian forest of white poplar and tamarisk provides welcome shade.
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