Chorrera de Mojonavalle

Chorrera de Mojonavalle is one of the tallest waterfalls in the Sierra de Guadarrama, tucked into the forested slopes near Alameda del Valle, in the Lozoya valley of the Sierra Norte de Madrid.

What makes this waterfall special?

The falls are fed by the Arroyo del Sestil del Maíllo, a stream that flows into the Lozoya river, and here it drops down a nearly vertical rock face roughly 30 meters high. That height is unusual among the region's easily accessible waterfalls, which is exactly why Mojonavalle has become one of the signature hikes of this part of the Sierra de Guadarrama. The water slides down the stone chute in a frothing white curtain, and the sight is at its most powerful in spring, when snowmelt from the higher peaks feeds the stream at full strength.

The surroundings are just as memorable as the waterfall itself. The trail winds through a forest of Scots pine, fir and birch, and at its heart lies the Abedular de Canencia, a birch grove considered one of the southernmost in all of Europe — a genuine botanical rarity at this latitude. Along the way you'll also pass the Tejo de la Senda, a yew tree estimated at more than 500 years old, along with a couple of impressive holly trees, both attractions in their own right for anyone exploring this stretch of the Guadarrama range.

How do you get there?

The starting point is the spacious recreational parking area at Puerto de Canencia, a mountain pass in this section of the Sierra Norte de Madrid, close to Alameda del Valle and the Lozoya valley. From the car park, a clearly marked forest track leads to the falls — near the trailhead there's an information sign about a cycling route, and about 100 meters further on a barrier blocks vehicle access beyond that point. The round trip covers roughly 5 kilometers and takes about 1.5 hours, with only around 120 meters of elevation gain. That makes it an easy, family-friendly route rather than a demanding mountain trek.

What will you see along the way?

About 10 minutes from the parking area, on the right-hand side of the trail, a small lookout point opens up views over the entire northern side of Puerto de Canencia — a good spot to pause before continuing through the woods. The waterfall itself is highly seasonal: it only shows its full force on a handful of days each year, mostly during the spring thaw. In summer and autumn the flow tends to be much thinner, though the forest setting still makes the walk worthwhile.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring, particularly during the snowmelt period in the higher parts of the Sierra de Guadarrama, is when the waterfall is at its most spectacular. The trail gets busy on spring and autumn weekends, so it's worth setting off early — arriving at the car park before 10:00 gives you a better chance of finding space and enjoying the trail before the crowds build up.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is the Chorrera de Mojonavalle waterfall? It stands around 30 meters high, making it one of the tallest and most impressive waterfalls in the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Where does the trail to the waterfall start? The hike begins at the recreational parking area of Puerto de Canencia, following a marked forest path of about 5 km round trip.

Is this a good hike for families with children? Yes, it's an easy route with only about 120 meters of elevation gain and a walking time of roughly 1.5 hours, which makes it a popular family outing.

When does the waterfall carry the most water? It's at its fullest in spring, during the snowmelt period — for the rest of the year the flow of the Sestil del Maíllo stream is usually much lighter.