Sierra de Guadarrama: El Escorial, La Granja and Segovia’s villages
Over the mountains north of Madrid to El Escorial, the fountains of La Granja, the Alcázar of Segovia, medieval Pedraza and the Duratón gorge.
- Distance
- 198 km (123 mi)
- Driving
- 2 h 44 min
- Suggested days
- 3
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Spain
- Updated
- June 27, 2026
At a glance: 3-day road trip of about 198 km (123 mi) with 8 stops, from Madrid to Sepúlveda. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total.
More road trips in Spain
Route description
From Madrid take the A-6 and the M-505 to San Lorenzo de El Escorial, about 50 km. The monastery-palace of Philip II needs at least two hours, including the royal pantheon and the library. From there the M-600 and the M-601 climb over the Puerto de Navacerrada (1,858 m), a ski pass that can have snow and chains rules in winter, and descend through pine forest to Real Sitio de San Ildefonso.
The Royal Palace of La Granja stands at the foot of the mountains with gardens modelled on Versailles. The fountains are switched on only on certain days, mostly on spring and summer weekends and holidays, so check the calendar. Segovia is 11 km further on. Besides the Roman aqueduct, walk up through the old town to the cathedral and the Alcázar at the western tip of the ridge.
For motorhomes, Segovia has parking areas outside the walls; do not try to drive through the old town. Then head north-east on minor roads to Pedraza, about 35 km. It is a walled village with a castle and an arcaded main square, entered through a single gate. In early July it holds candlelight concerts, when the streets are lit only by thousands of candles.
Continue north to Sepúlveda, a village of Romanesque churches above the Duratón river. The Hoces del Duratón natural park begins just downstream. The hermitage of San Frutos is reached from Villaseca: drive to the end of the track and walk about 1 km to the rim, where griffon vultures fly past at eye level. The whole route is about 230 km. Madrid is under two hours back by the A-1.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Madrid
Spain - 253 km
Monastery of El Escorial
HistorySan Lorenzo de El Escorial, SpainPhilip II’s vast granite monastery-palace of the 16th century, with a royal pantheon and a remarkable library. Closed on Mondays; parking in town can be tight, so use the car parks on the approach roads.
- 346 km
Royal Palace of La Granja
HistoryReal Sitio de San Ildefonso, SpainAn 18th-century royal palace at the foot of the Guadarrama with French-style gardens and monumental fountains that run only on set days in spring and summer. Check the fountain calendar before you go.
- 413 km
Segovia
Spain - 53 km
Alcázar of Segovia
HistorySegovia, SpainA fortified royal palace on a rock prow where two rivers meet, with a tower you can climb for views over the old town. The best photos are from the Mirador de la Pradera de San Marcos below.
- 642 km
Pedraza
Spain - 728 km
Hoces del Duratón
NatureSepúlveda, SpainDeep meanders of the Duratón river with a large colony of griffon vultures and the hermitage of San Frutos on the rim. Park at the end of the dirt track from Villaseca and walk about 1 km; the climb back is steep.
- 815 km
Sepúlveda
Spain
FAQs
How long is Sierra de Guadarrama: El Escorial, La Granja and Segovia’s villages?
3-day road trip of about 198 km (123 mi) with 8 stops, from Madrid to Sepúlveda. About 2 h 44 min of driving in total.
How many days do you need for Sierra de Guadarrama: El Escorial, La Granja and Segovia’s villages?
We suggest 3 days: about 2 h 44 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.
Where does Sierra de Guadarrama: El Escorial, La Granja and Segovia’s villages start and end?
It starts in Madrid and ends in Sepúlveda.
Which countries does Sierra de Guadarrama: El Escorial, La Granja and Segovia’s villages pass through?
Spain.
