Pinar de la Elipa Park, Madrid

Pinar de la Elipa Park in Madrid is a pine woodland of roughly 14 to 15 hectares in the Ciudad Lineal district, right on the edge of the Ventas neighborhood. For locals it functions as the neighborhood's main green lung — a place for a walk, a bike ride, or simply some shade away from the city center's noise.

Where exactly is the park located?

The park stretches between Avenida de la Paz, the M-30 ring road, and Calle de San Lamberto. That location is no coincidence: the pine belt was designed from the start to act as a natural buffer, shielding the residential blocks of Ciudad Lineal from the noise and exhaust of the busy ring road running alongside it. Today the park still works as a green wall separating housing from traffic.

How did this pine enclave come about?

The park's roots go back to 1946–1952, when Madrid's urban planning commission drew up a scheme to surround the Almudena cemetery with a belt of some 50,000 pine trees. The goal was to create a green ring around the necropolis and bring some order to what were then loosely developed suburban plots. The park itself was formally inaugurated on 20 June 1978, in a ceremony led by then-mayor José Luis Álvarez — although residents had already been using its paths informally since a few months earlier, in the spring of that same year.

What grows here, and what will you actually see?

The backbone of the vegetation is Aleppo pine, joined by stone pines, cypress, small oaks, strawberry trees (madroño), and poplars. The result is a dense but approachable urban forest with a distinctly Mediterranean feel rather than a single-species plantation. Winding footpaths crisscross the grounds alongside a dedicated bike lane, which is why the park has long drawn both dog walkers and cyclists looking for a route away from traffic.

What condition is the park in today?

The last few years haven't been kind to Pinar de la Elipa. Storm Filomena, which hit Madrid in January 2021, badly damaged the tree cover, and the years since have brought creeping neglect of the park's infrastructure — from broken paths to poor lighting. In response, Madrid's city council announced a renovation program for 2023–2024 that includes planting 287 new trees and nearly 5,000 shrubs. The plan has stirred debate among residents, some of whom worry that proposals to pave over sections of the park (a so-called "parque duro") will erode the forested, natural character that has defined the place for four decades.

Who is this park for?

It suits travelers looking for a quiet, green corner off Madrid's main tourist circuit — no crowds, no queues, no admission fee. It works well for a morning run, an afternoon walk with kids, or a short bike ride during a longer stay in the city. Just set expectations accordingly: this is a neighborhood park, not a manicured showcase like Retiro — some sections of infrastructure are uneven and still awaiting repair.

Frequently asked questions

How big is Pinar de la Elipa? The park covers roughly 14 to 15 hectares, making it one of the larger green spaces in the Ciudad Lineal district.

When was the park built? The pine plantings were planned back in the 1940s, but the park itself was officially inaugurated on 20 June 1978.

Can you cycle through the park? Yes — a dedicated bike lane runs through the grounds, and the winding footpaths are also suitable for a relaxed ride.

Is the park currently in good condition? Partially. After damage from Storm Filomena in 2021, a renovation program is underway involving new tree and shrub plantings, though some infrastructure still needs repair.