Mirador del Cerro de la Cabaña
Few visitors and even some locals overlook this modest hilltop on the northern edge of Las Rozas, but on a clear winter morning the panorama from Cerro de la Cabaña stretches from the terracotta rooftops of the town all the way to the snow-dusted crests of the Sierra de Guadarrama — a view that costs nothing and requires only a 20-minute uphill walk.
The View Itself
From the summit, the Sierra de Guadarrama range fills the northern horizon in a near-perfect arc: Peñalara (2,428 m), the highest peak in the range, is identifiable on the right, while the distinctive double summit of La Mujer Muerta ridge anchors the centre of the panorama.
To the south and east, the urban spread of the Madrid metropolitan area stretches to the horizon, with the glass towers of the CTBA (Cuatro Torres Business Area) glinting in the distance — a striking juxtaposition of wild sierra and modern capital.
Getting Up There
The most direct approach starts from the residential streets of the Navalcarbón district; follow Calle de la Sierra northward until the path transitions to a dirt track that winds through rosemary scrub to the summit.
The walk is short (about 1.5 km one-way) but moderately steep in the final section — trail shoes are comfortable but not strictly necessary on dry days.
Best Times to Visit
Winter mornings between November and February offer the clearest air and the highest probability of snow on the sierra peaks — arrive around 09:00 for low-angle light that turns the mountains pink.
Sunset in summer is equally rewarding: the sky behind the sierra goes through copper, violet and deep indigo in quick succession, and the city lights begin to flicker on below.
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