HIKE to El Yelmo summit in La Pedriza / Subida al Yelmo (Medium/Advanced hike)

Hikes & Mingle WhatsApp Community: WhatsApp Community
IG photos of this hike from previous years: El Yelmo Hikes & Mingle IG

La Pedriza is a very particular mountain landscape, unique in its kind in the whole Iberian peninsula, it is defined by a collection of amazingly shaped rocks and crags and ridges along a massive granite batholith formed in the Paleozoic era.

Erosion has shaped what it is considered to be a unique genuine granitic natural museum. Because of their peculiar shapes, the rocks hold names evoking common forms, as the Helmet, the Bird, the Seal, the Camel, the Little Elephant, the Snail, etc. Besides, La Pedriza is the most important climbing area of Madrid.

We will reach the Yelmo summit through a narrow chimney/crack open on the north face, so no climbing skills or rope are needed at all. But you will need to help yourself with both your hands for 20 meters. A short, challenging but fun scramble will take us to the summit of El Yelmo at 1.717 meters.

Besides climbing to El Yelmo, in our route we will encounter the Snail and the Little Elephant. Also from the Yelmo summit we will enjoy wonderfull views over the town of Manzanares el Real and the Santillana reservoir.

➡ HIKE INFO & DETAILS:

• PRICE 14 € for the guided hike
• DISTANCE: 14km
• DURATION: 7h (including breaks, lunch, photos taking, etc)
• TYPE: Loop
• ELEVATION GAIN: 700m.
• ELEVATION LOSS: 700m.
• DIFFICULTY: Medium/Advanced. It includes hiking on steep terrain and short scrambling on rock.

The hike in general terms is medium. We will follow non conventional trails and go off trails in order to search and find the well hidden Little Elephant. It is a loop route so we will have a more comprehensive understanding of the La Pedriza hills near Manzanares el Real. The route ends back in the town of Manzanares el Real, where its medieval castle can be visited.

The only tricky part is the very end of the hike up to El Yelmo, the last 20-30 meters, where you walk/climb up to the top through the chimney, which is a narrow scramble where you will need to help yourself with your hands and feet. It's challenging but doable and fun. So far everyone who has come with us has been able to make it to the top. You will love it :)

But of course if once there you feel it is not something for you, you may also wait at the beginning of the chimney, relaxing and enjoying the great views over the north side of la Pedriza, while the group comes down from the summit.

➡ HOW TO GET THERE:

⏲We are MEETING at 9:45 at Manzanares el Real Tourist Office (just next to the bus stop and in front of the "Plaza de Dia" supermarket). https://goo.gl/maps/f4Biwk4i97k

🚗 BY CAR - Map location of the nearest parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/dQhDo7qLEE52

If we have enough cars we will allocate all hikers in the available cars. Otherwise, the meeting point can be reach by bus. Please, provide us with your WhatsApp number when signing up.

🚌BY BUS Take the 724 bus from Plaza de Castilla Intercambiador at 9:00 am. Dársena/Platform 26. Please double check the platform at arrival. The bus leaves at 9:00, so please plan to arrive a little earlier before the bus departure (8:45-8:50 would be fine) to secure a place in the bus.

Also allow yourself some extra time as metro and buses run less frequently on weekends than on weekdays and allow yourself 10/15 minutes to navigate and find the bus platform if you are not familiar with Plaza de Castilla Intercambiador. Get off the bus at Manzanares el Real main bus stop.

The price of a one-way ticket is 5.10€. Also if you happen to have an Abono Joven, good news for you: the trip is included in it and therefore free for you showing the Abono! :)

➡ WHAT TO BRING:

• Hiking shoes or mountain boots. Trail running sneakers are ok as well. / Zapatillas de trekking o botas de montaña. Zapatillas de correr o trail con suela que agarre también está bien.
• A small backpack for your stuff / Una mochila para tus cosas.
• 1,5L of water or other soft drinks per person. PLEASE DON´T BRING LESS / 1,5L de agua por persona. Por favor, no traigáis menos.
• Your lunch / Tu comida.
• Sunscreen & sunglasses / Protección solar y gafas de sol.
• A hat or a cap / Una gorra o sombrero.
• Gloves and a scarf / Guantes y bufanda o buff para el cuello.
• A fleece or warm sweatshirt as it will be cold. / Un forro polar o sudadera. Hará frío.
• A windproof jacket or a coat / Un cortavientos, chaqueta o abrigo.
• Bring yourself ready to enjoy a wonderful and fun hike with like-minded people! :)
• Y, por supuesto, trae muchas ganas de disfrutar de un día divertido con una genial compañía! :)

We expect to be back at Plaza de Castilla around 19:00h. However, bear in mind that the expected time is approximated since hiking depends on the group's pace and any other circumstances that might arise along the hike.

*** PAYMENT *** If you rather save the MeetUp & Paypal attendees´ fees, contact us directly and we will provide alternative payment methods.