La Cuerda Larga is a route that goes from the Puerto de la Morcuera to the Puerto de Navacerrada or vice versa, in Madrid. It is one of the hiking routes the most well-known in the province of Madrid and can be started in either direction. Its length is almost 20 kilometers and the altitude through which it runs is always above 2000 meters.

Panoramic with the Bola del mundo on the left Photo of Treparriscossantacatalina


It is considered the most demanding among the classic routes of this mountain range since its route requires quite a bit of effort. In the summer, the high temperatures and the sun make the journey harder, which is why many prefer to do it when the sun begins to set and finish it at night, and in winter, it is a route only suitable for mountaineers due to the ice. that accumulates and the snow in all places.
Important and equally advisable is to do this route with optimal weather conditions. Without much shelter from the wind, this route will be essential to do without it and due to the possibilities of fog.

Peaks of the La Cuerda Larga route - Wikiloc source


It is called Long Rope because of the practically horizontal line that makes up the 8 summits of this route. The peaks that make it up are: Bola del Mundo, Cerro de Valdemartín, Cabeza de Hierro Menor, Cabeza de Hierro Mayor, Loma de Pandasco, Asómate de Hoyos, Los Bailanderos, La Najarra.

Cumbre de la Maliciosa


Being a linear route, the start and end points are logically not the same, and therefore it can start at either of its two ends. If you are not going with an arranged group, in which transportation takes you to one point and picks you up at another, it is necessary to leave a vehicle at each of the places.

Itinerary map of the Curda Larga route - Source



Technical Data Sheet:
  • Difficulty: High
  • Departure and arrival: Puerto de Navacerrada or Puerto de la Morcuera
  • Duration: approximately 5 hours
  • Distance: 20 km
  • Elevation 600 m

The route runs along paths that are well marked, if there is no fog it is unlikely that we will encounter any difficulty in terms of orientation. In the northern part is the Lozoya Valley and in the south the Santillana Reservoir. The material that we should not lack to carry out this route is: the backpack, bottle of water to hydrate, cereal bars or nuts...(Take a look at the basic hiking equipment) and when walking above 2000 meters high we must include a fleece lining, gloves and hat.

Virgin of the Snows - Photo by losk2delaskumbres.blogspot.com


How to get there

-By car:
  • From Madrid you will have to take the A-6 towards A Coruña until exit 39 towards Puerto de Navacerrada on the M-601.
  • From Segoia you will have to go on the CL-601 and continue on the M-601 until Puerto de Navacerrada.
- Public transport:
  • By Bus take line 691 from Moncloa.
  • Train - Cercanías: Line C9.
It is always good to get away from civilization a little and do some sports away from the cities, and adventure tourism is one of the options we propose, more specifically high altitude hiking in the >Community of Madrid, the Cuerda Larga, one of the most visited itineraries.