Silla de Felipe II (King Philip's Seat)
Carved into a granite outcrop on the wooded hillside above the town, the Silla de Felipe II is a natural rock throne where, according to legend, the king would sit and watch construction of his monastery progress in the valley below. Whether or not the story is entirely true, the panorama it commands is breathtaking.
The View and the Walk
From the rocky seat — actually a series of stepped granite ledges smoothed by centuries of visitors — the entire monastery unfolds in one frame, with the Sierra de Guadarrama ridge rising behind it and the plains of Castile stretching south. Early morning light hits the west façade directly and the photography is exceptional.
The path up through the Herrería forest takes about 25–30 minutes on foot from the monastery's north side, following a well-marked trail through fragrant pines and holm oaks. The gradient is gentle enough for most fitness levels.
The Herrería Forest
The Bosque de la Herrería surrounding the path is a protected landscape of ancient oaks, many of them centuries old, with a carpet of ferns beneath. It is one of the best spots around Madrid to see deer at dusk — herds of red deer are regularly spotted between September and November during rutting season.
The forest is criss-crossed with additional trails that lead further into the Sierra de Guadarrama foothills, making it easy to extend a morning stroll into a half-day hike if the mood takes you.
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