Chorrera de San Mamés

Chorrera de San Mamés is a waterfall in the shared municipality of Navarredonda y San Mamés, in the Sierra Norte de Madrid, right on the edge of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. The stream drops around 30 meters over a rocky ledge at roughly 1,470 meters above sea level, making it one of the most visited cascades in this part of the range.

Where exactly is it?

The waterfall sits on a mountain stream that feeds into the Lozoya river, at a point where the terrain breaks sharply into a rocky step. It can be reached from either of the two neighboring villages that make up the single municipality — Navarredonda and San Mamés — with the paths from both converging near the falls themselves.

How do you get there?

You can start the hike from either Navarredonda or San Mamés; both routes lead to the same spot and can be combined into a loop. The full walk covers around 8 km with roughly 300 m of elevation gain, taking about 3 hours at a relaxed pace with stops. Around 90% of the route follows wide forest tracks, with only a short stretch on a narrower path. Difficulty is rated easy to moderate, so it suits families and less experienced hikers, though sturdy footwear helps on the rockier ground near the falls.

What will you see along the way?

The trail winds through pine and oak woodland, with the stream running alongside for most of the route, offering shade and a cooling presence even on hot days. The waterfall itself drops through a rugged, rocky setting — boulders and steep, forested slopes — a sharper contrast to the calmer valley scenery below.

When is the best time to visit?

Water flows here year-round, but the falls are at their strongest in spring, when snowmelt from higher up the range swells the stream — the best time to see it in full force. In summer the flow is more modest, though the shaded, cool path along the stream is a welcome relief from the heat. Autumn brings colorful foliage through the deciduous woodland, adding to the scenery, and trail conditions tend to be comfortable that time of year.

Who is this hike for?

It's a good pick for anyone after an undemanding but rewarding mountain walk, with no scrambling or technical gear required. It works equally well as a relaxed day out with children or a quicker outing for more experienced hikers. Bring water, a snack, and a camera — the waterfall framed by forest is one of the standout sights in the Sierra Norte de Madrid.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to reach the waterfall? The full loop, combining both approaches from San Mamés and Navarredonda, takes about 3 hours at a relaxed pace with breaks for rest and photos.

Is the trail difficult? No — it's rated easy to moderate, with about 300 m of elevation gain and mostly wide forest tracks, though the ground gets rockier near the waterfall itself.

When does the waterfall have the most water? Flow peaks in spring, during snowmelt from the higher parts of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

Can you start the hike from either village? Yes, paths from both Navarredonda and San Mamés lead to the same waterfall and meet near it, so the walk can be planned as a loop between the two villages.