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San Lorenzo De El Escorial

Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Highlight • Historical Site

Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

Hiking

4.9

(78)

Mountain biking

5.0

(25)

Road cycling

5.0

(3)

Gravel riding

5.0

(1)

Cycling

5.0

(1)

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  • Location: San Lorenzo De El Escorial, Guadarrama, Madrid, Spain

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    Tips

    October 19, 2022

    Hiking

    A visit that you cannot miss! The monastery has been a world heritage site since 1984 and is one of the best ways to appreciate and understand the "golden" era of Spain reigned by Philip II.

    You can consult the official website for visiting hours and purchase tickets

    patrimonionacional.es/visita/real-monasterio-de-san-lorenzo-de-el-escorial
    Translated by

    August 18, 2025

    Mountain biking

    The Monastery of El Escorial was built by King Philip II in the 16th century to commemorate a military victory and serve as a royal pantheon for the Habsburg dynasty.
    Designed by architects Juan Bautista de Toledo and Juan de Herrera, it is characterized by its sober, Renaissance style. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
    Translated by

    February 7, 2023

    Hiking

    This was a beautiful walk around the stunning Royal Site of San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This is a Royal Palace and Monastery and is simply magnificent inside and out. Photos are not permitted inside sadly. It consists of the monastery, basilica, an exqusite priceless library, royal tombs and palace. A simply sumptious place to visit and a WHS at that. Hard to do it justice with just an iphone camera.
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    Nearby routes

    Best routes near Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial

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    4.6

    (56)

    232

    hikers

    #1.

    Silla de Felipe II and Bosque de la Herrería Loop

    13.4km

    03:53

    300m

    300m

    The Silla de Felipe II and Bosque de la Herrería loop trail invites you to immerse yourself in the history and nature of the Sierra de Guadarrama. You'll hike through the lush Bosque de la Herrería, a protected natural area where oaks, ash trees, and cherry trees create a green canopy, and discover the enigmatic Silla de Felipe II, a granite viewpoint offering panoramic vistas of the Monasterio de El Escorial. This 8.4-mile (13.4 km) route, classified as moderate, offers a diverse experience with sections of Roman road and natural trails, ideal for a day of exploration.

    To plan your visit, keep in mind that this is a very popular route, especially on weekends, so arriving early is key to finding parking. The trail is well-marked and accessible, although some sections require a good level of fitness. No specific permits are mentioned, but it's always advisable to carry water and check the weather forecast, especially if you plan to spend the estimated 3 hours and 52 minutes to complete it.

    What makes this route special is the combination of its natural and historical richness. The Bosque de la Herrería is a picturesque landscape with springs like the Fuente de la Reina, while the Silla de Felipe II, with its stepped platforms, is a legendary spot from where the king is said to have overseen the construction of the Monastery. With an elevation gain of 985 feet (300 meters), it's a rewarding hike that connects you with the past and the beauty of the surroundings.

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    Moderate
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    4.8

    (48)

    166

    hikers

    Hike the difficult 9.3-mile Guadarrama - El Escorial Green Route, gaining 2665 feet with panoramic views from Mount Abantos.

    Hard
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    Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

    Hard

    Details

    Informations

    Elevation 1,030 m

    Weather

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    Sunday 28 June

    32°C

    17°C

    -- %

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    Location: San Lorenzo De El Escorial, Guadarrama, Madrid, Spain

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    View of El Escorial and the Sierra de Guadarrama

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