Towns and villages
Valdemanco: granite, paths and art among mountains
At the foot of Mondalindo and next to the Sierra de la Cabrera, a village to discover the memory of stonemasonry and explore its landscape on foot.
Automatically translated from Spanish. Leer original en español
Valdemanco lies nestled between the Sierra de la Cabrera mountains and the slopes of Mondalindo, in a landscape dominated by granite. The Albalá stream, the old orchards, and the livestock trails reveal another side of the landscape, one more closely linked to the daily life of the village. Its historic center preserves the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and offers charming corners from which to begin exploring the surrounding area.
Local history was linked for centuries to Bustarviejo and the Segovia region. After the provincial division of 1833, Valdemanco remained within Madrid, and in 1840 it established its own town council. The well-known story of Juan Valdés, nicknamed "the one-armed man," and his inn belongs to popular legend; it does not, on its own, establish the origin of the town.
Agriculture and livestock farming shared the spotlight with granite quarrying. In the 20th century, the Madrid-Burgos railway helped transport the stone from the quarries to construction sites in Madrid. This relationship with the material remains key to understanding Valdemanco, while the Berrutti Foundation offers an artistic perspective on the same natural environment.
What to see and what to do
Take a stroll through the town center and the area surrounding the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The granite landscape accompanies the visit and helps to understand the importance of stonemasonry in the town's history.
The Berrutti Foundation brings together workshops, exhibition spaces, and artworks within a garden and woodland setting. Its project is linked to the work of Berrutti and Charo Villa, encompassing sculpture, painting, printmaking, and ceramics. The foundation offers tours to explore the workshops and the relationship between creation and nature; please contact them in advance to confirm availability and details.
Plan for a day or a weekend
For a day trip, choose one of the municipal trails and leave time on your return to stroll through the town center and have lunch there. The Senda de los Huertos (Orchard Trail) combines old farmland, riverside paths, and the remains of mills. If you prefer a day focused on art, arrange a visit to the Berrutti Foundation and combine it with a walk through Valdemanco.
With a weekend, you can dedicate one day to the Granite Route and another to exploring the town's heritage and the foundation. Avoid taking on long hikes without checking their distances, elevation gains, and conditions; arrange your accommodation and return before you leave.
Where to eat
The municipal directory lists Casa Santos, on the La Cabrera road at kilometer 5.8; Asador Roberto, at Avenida del Desvío, 43; and La Bodega del Calvario, at Calle Chaparrito, 20. It also includes La Posada del Grillo, in Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, and the bars La Alegría and La Rueda. Please check directly for opening hours, food service, and reservations for your visit date.
Routes and nature
The Senda de los Huertos (Orchard Trail) is 6.2 km long and combines a circular route with a short out-and-back section. It descends towards the riverbank and the old orchards, reaches the mills, and returns via La Asomadilla. The municipal information sheet warns of potentially muddy sections, difficulties crossing the stream after rain, and two short stretches along the road.
The Granite Route is 9.6 km long, with a loop and a shared out-and-back section. It starts at the cemetery and connects granite boulders, the area around the Berrutti Foundation, old quarries, and wetlands. The route description notes uneven terrain and a section along a road.
The municipality also suggests the Shepherds' Path, the Footprints of History, the Path of the Dead, and the Bank Route. Consult the map and the condition of your chosen trail; bring water and adjust your outing to the weather and your fitness level.
How to get there and park
The M-610 road connects Valdemanco with La Cabrera and Bustarviejo. From Madrid, you can approach via the A-1 towards La Cabrera or via the M-607 corridor, continuing through Miraflores de la Sierra and Bustarviejo. In the town center, park according to the signs and keep access to homes and roads clear.
Line 725 connects Plaza de Castilla with Miraflores, Bustarviejo, and Valdemanco. Line 197B connects Torrelaguna, El Berrueco, La Cabrera, and Valdemanco. Check with the Regional Transport Consortium to see which buses go to your town, the stop you need, and the return trip for your travel day.
Upcoming parties and plans
The running of the heifers is one of Valdemanco's Carnival traditions, linked to young men turning 18 this year and newlyweds. The maypole, traditionally erected in the town square between the night of April 30th and May 1st, is part of their spring customs.
The summer festivals are celebrated in honor of Our Lady of Mount Carmel and Saint Roch, whose feast days are July 16th and August 16th, respectively. These dates are traditional references; the complete schedule of festival days, events, and times for each year should be checked in the current municipal program.
Where to sleep
Mirador de Valdemanco is an accommodation option in the Cerro Matallera area, located at Calle Peña del Cerro, 4. Its location allows you to plan a stay focused on the village and the surrounding trails. Please check directly for booking conditions, capacity, and availability for your dates.
Practical information
The Town Hall is located at Plaza de Nuestra Señora del Carmen, 1, and its telephone number is 91 848 11 74. The postal code is 28729. The municipality has maps and hiking guides available to help plan your routes.
Check in advance whether access to the church interior and visits to the Berrutti Foundation are permitted. When out in the countryside, respect livestock farming practices and farms; the old quarries and railway infrastructure are part of the landscape's history and should not be assumed to be open to visitors.