Hiking Senda Fluvial del Pardo (Pardo River Trail). June 2025. Madrid, Spain. @TheDiabeticHiker
Hiking Senda Fluvial del Pardo (Pardo River Trail). June 2025. Madrid, Spain.  @TheDiabeticHiker
Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
In June 2025, I set out on a solo hike (walk, really) along the beautiful Senda Fluvial del Pardo just outside Madrid, Spain—and it ended up being a simple but nice surprising getaway from downtown Madrid.

This roughly 4-mile roundtrip path follows the Manzanares River through the Monte de El Pardo, one of the largest protected natural areas around Madrid. The trail itself is easy, with minimal elevation gain and a well-marked path, making it perfect for a relaxed hike, trail run, or walk.

My goal was to reach the spillway of the El Pardo Reservoir and see if it was flowing - and it was. Watching the water flow through the dam while surrounded by the quiet forest and open views was a highlight of the trip.

If you’re looking for an easy and scenic hike near Madrid that doesn’t require a ton of planning—but still delivers great views—this one is worth checking out.

Trail Highlights:
• Distance: ~4 miles roundtrip (6.1 km loop)
• Difficulty: Easy
• Elevation Gain: Minimal (~250 ft / 82 m)
• Location: Monte de El Pardo, Madrid, Spain

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Hiking Senda Fluvial del Pardo (Pardo River Trail). June 2025. Madrid, Spain.

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