Cercedilla
Camino de Madrid
Cercedilla is a picturesque mountain town and the last place to properly prepare before the big climb over the Puerto de la Fuenfría. Take it seriously — rest well here, stock up on food and water, and check the weather forecast before setting out.
The town has everything you need: shops, bars, restaurants, pharmacy, ATMs, and the cercanías train station that connects back to Madrid (handy if you need to bail or resupply). Cercedilla has a laid-back sierra feel — stone houses, narrow streets, mountain air. It's a popular weekend escape for Madrileños, so restaurants are plentiful.
One thing to consider: the main pilgrim accommodation options are not in Cercedilla proper but in Las Dehesas, 3 km further along the Camino. If you're planning to stay there, you'll cut 3 km off tomorrow's big day.
The stretch from here to Segovia (via the Puerto de la Fuenfría) is the most physically demanding day on the Camino de Madrid. Plan ahead and carry plenty of water — there are no services between Cercedilla and Valsaín. Check the weather: temperatures at the pass (1,796 m) can drop dramatically even in spring and summer, and snow is possible well into April.
From Cercedilla, you follow the Avenida Manuel G. out of town, heading westward toward Las Dehesas and the climb ahead. The yellow arrows are well marked.
Accommodation in Cercedilla.
| Polideportivo de Cercedilla 7€ |
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