Towns and villages
Bustarviejo: heritage, pastures and mountain paths
Between Pendón and Mondalindo, a mountain village with centuries of history, an old silver mine and routes through Valle Hermoso.
Automatically translated from Spanish. Leer original en español
Bustarviejo occupies a landscape of granite, springs, and ancient pastures between the Bustar hill and the El Pendón massif. To the north rise the slopes of Mondalindo; towards Valle Hermoso, oaks, ash trees, and streams line paths that for centuries served livestock and agricultural work.
The town is documented in 1297 in connection with a grazing dispute with Canencia. It belonged to the Tierra de Segovia region and was granted town status in the first third of the 17th century. The Church of the Immaculate Conception preserves vestiges of a medieval temple, while the town hall, fountains, and horse-shoeing frame reflect other periods of local history. Silver mining and quarrying added new trades to its traditional economy.
More recent history also has a specific place in the landscape: in the Dehesa Vieja, remains of the penal detachment where political prisoners who worked on the Madrid-Burgos railway between 1944 and 1952 were held are preserved. Bustarviejo thus allows you to combine a visit to the town with walks through nature and a careful reading of its memory.
What to see and what to do
In the Plaza de la Constitución stands the town hall, recognizable by its two stories of arches. Nearby is the Church of the Immaculate Conception, enlarged over several centuries upon a medieval structure. A stroll along Calle Real leads to the Fuente Nueva (New Fountain), the Hermitage of Cristo de la Peña (Christ of the Rock), carved into the rock, and the Stations of the Cross leading to the Hermitage of La Soledad (Solitude). Opposite the old school buildings, a horse-shoeing frame brought from Valle Hermoso is preserved. To learn about the area's former mining activity, the Cuesta de la Plata (Silver Slope) trail leads to the Torre de la Mina (Mine Tower) and other remains, interpreted through information panels. In the Dehesa Vieja (Old Pasture), the vestiges of the penal colony invite visitors to respectfully reflect on an episode from the post-war period.
Plan for a day or a weekend
Spend the morning exploring the town square, the church, the fountains, and the two hermitages. After lunch in the village, choose one of the municipal routes: the "Among Pools and Orchards" route allows you to explore the old irrigation system, while the "Penal Detachment and Viaduct" route connects the pastureland with the history of the railway. If you stay a second day, you can wander through the narrow streets of Valle Hermoso or visit the mine area from the outside, starting near the football field. Save the ascent of Mondalindo for a planned day hike using the current route information.
Where to eat
The town directory lists options in the town center such as the Bailandera Brewery at Plaza de la Constitución 9; La Miel restaurant at Calle de San Sebastián 1; and Mirasierra restaurant at Calle de la Parra 31. It also includes the Tramontana pizzeria and rice restaurant at Maruste 18, and other bars in town. Fuente del Collado is listed on the road to Miraflores. Check the offerings and opening hours of your chosen establishment directly before traveling there.
Routes and nature
The Town Hall offers maps and routes for several trails: Penal Detachment and Viaduct, Between Pools and Orchards, Through the Lanes of Valle Hermoso, To Mondalindo via the Silver Mine, and Back to El Pendón. The lanes of Valle Hermoso wind through oak groves, past stone walls and streams; the Dehesa Vieja route connects ash groves and historical landmarks. The exterior mine trail starts from the football field parking lot and has information panels. Consult the municipal map before setting out and adjust your choice to the day's conditions; the ascent to Mondalindo and the back to El Pendón are longer, more mountainous options.
How to get there and park
By car, you can reach the mine from Madrid via Colmenar Viejo and Miraflores de la Sierra, continuing on the M-610, or via the A-1 to the area around Venturada and Cabanillas de la Sierra to connect with the M-631. The Regional Transport Consortium's intercity bus line 725 connects Plaza de Castilla with Miraflores, Bustarviejo, and Valdemanco; check the specific schedules for your travel day. For the exterior visit to the mine, the Town Hall indicates the starting point as the parking lot at the municipal football field. Within the town itself, park only where permitted by signage.
Upcoming parties and plans
The traditional calendar includes San Isidro, linked to the area's agricultural past, and the patron saint festivities of the Santísimo Cristo de los Remedios, usually celebrated in September. These references do not constitute a current program: the dates of events, concerts, and other activities for each year should be checked in the municipal calendar when they are announced.
Where to sleep
The municipal list of accommodations includes Apartamentos Navamar, at Calle Mayor 9; La Senda del Viento rural guesthouse, at Calle Mayor 33; Tío Alberto rural guesthouse, at Calle Lechuga 14; and Hostal Mirasierra, at Calle San Sebastián 5. Outside the town center are El Valle campsite and Valle de los Abedules hostel, on the M-610 road. Check directly with each accommodation for their terms and availability before booking.
Practical information
The Town Hall is located at Plaza de la Constitución 1, 28720 Bustarviejo; its telephone number is 91 848 20 04. To help plan walks, the municipality publishes route maps with descriptions and itineraries. Before a cultural visit, confirm whether it is possible to enter the church or participate in interpretive activities related to the penal colony. The area outside the mine has a marked trail, but the information provided does not constitute a visit to the underground galleries.
