Chorros del Manzanares

Chorros del Manzanares is a chain of natural cascades on the upper course of the Manzanares River, right at the western edge of La Pedriza, within the municipality of Manzanares el Real in the Sierra de Guadarrama. The river drops here in a series of steps over granite rock, carving out pools and potholes over centuries, with calm, clear stretches of water resting between each cascade.

What will you see there?

The standout feature is the tallest of the falls, where water plunges through a narrow gap between vertical granite walls. Further downstream the river splits into several smaller cascades separated by flat boulders and natural pools where the current briefly slows down. A distinctive detail here are the so-called giant's kettles — round hollows ground into the rock by water spinning sand and pebbles over long periods. The area sits inside Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, so the landscape stays largely untouched: granite boulders, pine groves, and views toward the jagged peaks of La Pedriza in the background.

How do you get to Chorros del Manzanares?

The starting point is the Canto Cochino car park, reached from Madrid via the M-607 (the Colmenar road) and then the M-608 toward Manzanares el Real; after roughly 300 metres on the road to Cerceda, a turn to the right leads to Canto Cochino, right at the heart of La Pedriza. From the car park, a wide dirt track follows the left bank of the river to the falls, covering around 5 km one way. A longer loop along both banks is also popular, linking the falls with the nearby Charca Verde pool — about 9.5 km in total with 380 m of ascent, taking roughly 4 hours.

When should you visit?

The route is rated easy to moderate and is accessible for most of the year, though the cascades carry the most water in spring and after rainfall, when snowmelt feeds the upper river. In summer the flow tends to drop, but the riverside path remains fully walkable. Worth knowing: swimming is banned in the river at the level of the Chorros and the nearby Charca Verde, since this stretch lies within the protected national park and isn't set up as a bathing spot.

What else is worth seeing nearby?

Chorros del Manzanares combines easily with a visit to Charca Verde, a natural rock-bound pool a short walk further on, and with the Cascada del Chivato, another waterfall in this part of La Pedriza. The wider La Pedriza massif, known for its distinctive granite boulders, is one of the most recognisable landscapes near Madrid and draws both hikers and climbers throughout the year.

Frequently asked questions

Is the hike to the Chorros difficult? No, the route from Canto Cochino is rated easy to moderate — it follows a wide path with no technical sections, though sturdy footwear helps given the rocky terrain.

Can you swim there? No — within Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, including at Chorros del Manzanares and Charca Verde, swimming in the river is prohibited to protect the ecosystem.

How long does the full route take? Walking along the riverbank to the falls and back usually takes around 2 hours one way, while the popular loop combining the Chorros with Charca Verde takes about 4 hours in total.

What's the best way to get there from Madrid? By car via the M-607 and M-608 to Manzanares el Real, then on to the Canto Cochino car park, which is the starting point for the walk.