Puerto de la Fuenfría
Camino de Madrid
At 1,796 m, the Puerto de la Fuenfría is the highest point on the Camino de Madrid — and the highest point on any Camino de Santiago route that crosses the Spanish interior. The 600 m ascent from Cercedilla is steep but steady, much of it following the beautifully preserved Calzada Romana through dense pine forest.
There are no services at the pass. No bar, no shelter, no water. Just mountain, sky, and the border between the Comunidad de Madrid and Castilla y León. You'll know you've arrived when the ground levels out and the views open up.
The weather here can turn fast. Pilgrims have reported freezing temperatures and low cloud in late April when the previous day had been warm and sunny. In early season, there may still be snow on the ground. Dress in layers, carry a windbreaker, and don't underestimate this crossing.
This crossing is exposed and potentially dangerous in winter and early spring. Snow, ice, and fog can make the path treacherous. If the pass is closed due to snow (as it was in late March 2018, forcing pilgrims to take the train from Cercedilla to Segovia), don't push it. Your life is worth more than any stretch of Camino.
There are no services, no shelter, and no water between Las Dehesas and Valsaín (approximately 15 km of mountain walking). Plan ahead and carry plenty of water.
The Romans chose this pass as the best crossing point of the Sierra de Guadarrama, building the Calzada Romana that you still walk on today. For centuries, it was the main route between the meseta and the lands to the south — used by armies, traders, shepherds, and eventually pilgrims. The stone road surface, remarkably intact in places, is a powerful reminder that you're walking in very old footsteps.
The descent from the pass toward Segovia is steep initially but not technically difficult. The surface is soft forest floor — much kinder on the knees than cobblestones. You'll drop through pine forest into the valley below, eventually reaching Valsaín. An alternative route forks right toward La Granja de San Ildefonso — a worthwhile detour that many pilgrims take.