The northern strip of the autonomous region of Madrid is delimited by a natural border, the Sierra de Guadarrama, which forms part of the Central mountain range and whose highest peak, measuring 2,430 metres, is that of Peñalara.
This mountain range features three clearly defined ecosystems depending on the altitude.
Although the tree species are perfectly restricted to the ecological areas marked by temperature, its fauna adapt more easily to the inclement weather.
Madrid Mountains
The area between 1,200 and 1,600 metres is one of rebollo oak groves, in which deciduous trees predominate.
Holm oaks are located below this elevation, whereas between 1,600 metres and 2,100 metres there appear high mountain pine groves, specifically that of the wild pine, which are the trees that best adapt to the low temperatures of these latitudes.
The highest elevation, above 2,000 metres, is a shrub scrubland area where only bushes can be found.
The mountain fauna and flora
In order to prevent the deterioration of this natural spot which harbours a total of 234 species of vertebrates, of which 169 are protected by law, plans are being made to give it the category of a national park, which would facilitate its conservation. Two natural parks already exist, although they do not have national status: the natural park of La Cumbre, Circo y Lagunas de Peñalara (the Peak, Cirque and Lagoons of Peñalara), measuring 780 hectares, and the regional park of the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares (the upper basin of the Manzanares river), measuring 52,796 hectares and located to the northeast of the autonomous region.
A diverse array of birds of prey and scavengers live on a similar variety of herbivores: cervids such as fallowdeer, roe bucks and deer, and other large animals, such as the boar or the wild goat; without forgetting rabbits, small lizards and field mice, which are an essential part of these birds’diet.
The lower parts of the mountains are covered by holm oaks, junipers, rockroses, thyme, brooms and lavenders, and there are also ash trees and willows. As we climb upwards, we come across oak groves and wild pines; and on the highest elevations there are the usual moors and shrub areas and mountain meadows.
La Pedriza
The primary places of interest in the Sierra de Guadarrama are La Cabrera, La Pedriza, the source of the Lozoya river in the lagoon of Peñalara, and the mountain passes of Canencia and La Morcuera. This mountainous area comprises the Carpetano mountains, Cuerda Larga and the Sierra de La Morcuera, Navacerrada, Siete Picos, Montón de Trigo, Peñas del Oso, Pasapán and the Sierra de Malagón.
The highest peaks are Peñalara (2,430m), Cabeza de Hierro Mayor (2,383m) and La Maliciosa (2,227m).
Of all beautiful places that make up the regional park of the Cuenca Alta del Manzanares, La Pedriza, a protected area since 1930, is noteworthy. Located in the middle of the Sierra de Guadarrama, it is one of the spots in Madrid which is most visited by mountaineering aficionados. The flight of the tawny vulture in search of carrion is one of the most habitual scenes in this region, where the harshness of the climate prevents the growth of forests and gives way to rockroses, lavenders, heather and shrubs.
