Towns and villages
Puentes Viejas: Mangirón and the water villages
Four towns, historic roads and reservoir landscapes in the Lozoya Valley
Automatically translated from Spanish. Leer original en español
Puentes Viejas encompasses four villages in the Sierra Norte region of Madrid: Mangirón, where the Town Hall is located, Cinco Villas, Paredes de Buitrago, and Serrada de la Fuente. The Lozoya River and the Puentes Viejas, El Villar, and El Atazar reservoirs create a continuous landscape of hillsides, pastures, pine forests, and small rural hamlets.
During the Middle Ages, these villages were linked to the Community of Villa y Tierra de Buitrago. Their livestock trails, churches, and stone houses preserve traces of that mountain life. In Paredes de Buitrago, the fortifications of the Water Front also serve as a reminder of the strategic value the reservoirs held during the Spanish Civil War.
The current municipality was formed in 1975 by uniting Mangirón, with Cinco Villas as its annex, Paredes de Buitrago, and Serrada de la Fuente. Mangirón retains the municipal seat; the common name comes from the reservoir and serves to describe a territory whose exploration is divided among four villages, each with its own distinct character.
What to see and what to do
In Mangirón, stroll through the town center and visit the Church of Santiago Apóstol. The Puentes Viejas dam and the landscapes towards El Villar illustrate the town's connection to water. In Cinco Villas, highlights include the Church of Santa Ana, the traditional washhouse, and the viewpoints on Picazuelo Hill.
Paredes de Buitrago features the Church of the Immaculate Conception, an old mill, and a restored forge. Its former washhouse now houses the Water Front Interpretation Center, the starting point for a tour of Civil War fortifications. In Serrada de la Fuente, you can complete your visit with a stroll through the hamlet and past the Church of San Andrés. It is advisable to check current visiting conditions before going indoors or participating in guided activities.
Plan for a day or a weekend
If you have a day, start in Mangirón, visit its church, and then take a walk to admire the scenery around the dam. Continue to Cinco Villas to see the town center and its viewpoints; reserve the afternoon for Paredes de Buitrago and its heritage linked to the Water Front. This plan requires planning travel between towns and adjusting stops to the available daylight.
With a weekend, allow time for the circular Waterfront route from Paredes and a second day in Serrada de la Fuente or on the Mangirón trail towards El Villar. Choose your route according to its characteristics and confirm in advance any visits to centers or establishments you wish to include.
Where to eat
The options are spread across the villages. The municipal tourist information lists La Terraza del Barral in Mangirón, Bar Terraza de Paredes, La Posada de Serrada and Bar La Plaza in Serrada de la Fuente, and El Don de María in Cinco Villas. Depending on the establishment, you'll find home-style cooking, tapas, and sandwiches. Check the opening hours and menu with your chosen establishment before traveling from one village to another.
Routes and nature
From Mangirón, a path leads to the El Villar reservoir; from Cinco Villas, the Picazuelo trail climbs to a viewpoint overlooking several valleys and reservoirs. Paredes de Buitrago marks the start of the circular Water Front route, approximately eight kilometers long according to the Community of Madrid, with information panels interpreting the positions of both sides during the Spanish Civil War. In Serrada de la Fuente, there is a trail through the Casasola pine forest.
The local network also offers the Paredes rest area trail and connections to the Genaro Trail. Check the official route, trail conditions, and weather forecast before setting out; respect heritage sites and the signs regulating areas near reservoirs.
How to get there and park
To travel by car from Madrid, take the A-1 to the Sierra Norte and then the road to your chosen village. Check the specific route to Mangirón, Cinco Villas, Paredes de Buitrago, or Serrada de la Fuente, as they do not share a single town center. Park only where permitted by local signage and avoid blocking roads, farm access points, and entrances to paths.
For public transport, the Regional Transport Consortium includes Mangirón on the intercity bus line 191D, which connects Buitrago del Lozoya with Robledillo de la Jara. Municipal information also includes lines 191E and 199A for connections between towns. Check the route for each town and the departure and return times before planning your trip; line 191 from Plaza de Castilla goes to Buitrago del Lozoya, where a transfer may be necessary.
Upcoming parties and plans
Each village maintains its own celebrations. Mangirón celebrates Saint James the Apostle and Saint Michael the Archangel; Cinco Villas honors Saint Roch; Paredes de Buitrago celebrates its festivities in honor of the Immaculate Conception; and Serrada de la Fuente preserves those of Our Lady of Solitude and Saint Andrew. The Carnival Bull Run (La Vaquilla de Carnaval) is among the revived traditions in the villages of the municipality. The schedule, dates, and events for each year should be checked in the Town Hall's announcements.
Where to sleep
The municipality's tourist offerings include Saika Rural in Mangirón, El Bulín de Paredes in Paredes de Buitrago, and La Posada de Serrada in Serrada de la Fuente. The specific location is important if you plan to visit several places without your own vehicle. Please check directly for accommodation conditions and availability for your dates.
Practical information
The Puentes Viejas Town Hall is located at Plaza de la Constitución, 1, in Mangirón, and can be reached at 91 868 02 67. The municipal tourist office also provides information on heritage sites and routes. To visit the Waterfront Interpretation Center, the forge, or other indoor spaces, please confirm in advance how visits are organized. AEMET (the Spanish State Meteorological Agency) displays the municipal weather forecast for Puentes Viejas with the reference point located in Mangirón; conditions may vary in other towns.