Embalse de San Juan is a region approximately 37 miles (60 km) from Madrid, characterized by its expansive reservoir, surrounding mountains, and pine forests. This area is notable as the only reservoir in the Community of Madrid where swimming and motorized water activities are permitted, offering a unique aquatic environment alongside terrestrial landscapes. The diverse terrain supports a range of outdoor pursuits, including several sports like touring cycling, hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, and more.
67
Routes
4.1
(92)
Average rating
1130
People visited

4.5
(44)
188
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(7)
23
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(2)
16
hikers
7.00km
01:48
40m
30m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

2.5
(2)
8
hikers
7.99km
02:18
180m
180m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
19
riders
31.6km
02:58
570m
570m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(5)
42
riders
40.6km
03:21
410m
410m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

36
riders
18.9km
02:03
630m
630m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

22
riders
35.7km
03:17
550m
550m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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85
riders
51.8km
05:09
1,250m
1,250m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.3
(3)
37
riders
45.3km
04:34
1,080m
1,080m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(2)
32
riders
28.0km
02:15
430m
430m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

5.0
(3)
26
riders
29.6km
02:04
350m
350m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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54
riders
80.0km
03:54
1,150m
1,150m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

41
riders
63.6km
03:15
1,110m
1,110m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

24
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

13
riders
38.2km
02:37
470m
470m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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31
runners
7.76km
00:50
70m
70m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

12
runners
26.8km
03:38
910m
910m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

10
runners
13.4km
01:27
130m
130m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
6
runners
15.8km
01:50
420m
420m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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6
riders
47.0km
04:07
810m
810m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

7
riders
63.9km
04:44
1,140m
1,140m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
35.6km
02:30
380m
380m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

6
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Embalse de San Juan offers a variety of outdoor activities including Touring cycling, Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Jogging, and Gravel biking. The region features diverse terrain suitable for various skill levels. Over 10,000 visitors have explored the area, with routes averaging a 4.16-star rating.
Embalse de San Juan is the only reservoir in the Community of Madrid where swimming and motorized water activities are permitted. It features 14 miles (14 kilometers) of shoreline, offering a unique aquatic environment alongside its terrestrial landscapes. This makes it a popular destination for both land and water-based recreation.
Yes, Embalse de San Juan provides cycling routes for various skill levels and types, including touring, road, mountain, and gravel biking. Cyclists can find routes on paved surfaces, gravel paths, and mountain trails. Guides like Cycling around Embalse de San Juan and MTB Trails around Embalse de San Juan offer specific options.
Popular hiking routes include the 'View of the Lake and Mountains – The Route of the Coves' loop, which is 3.8 miles (6.1 km) long. Another option is the more challenging 'Río Alberche – Picadas Reservoir' loop, spanning 12.2 miles (19.6 km). The Hiking around Embalse de San Juan guide provides more details.
Yes, the region offers trails suitable for beginners and families. Hikers can find easy strolls, and specific guides are available for less strenuous options. The Family-friendly hikes around Embalse de San Juan and Easy hikes around Embalse de San Juan guides highlight these routes.
Embalse de San Juan is located approximately 37 miles (60 kilometers) southwest of Madrid. Its proximity makes it an accessible destination for day trips and outdoor getaways from the city. The area is easily reachable by car.
The area is characterized by its expansive reservoir, the Embalse de San Juan, which covers 650 hectares. It features surrounding mountains, dense pine forests, and the Río Alberche. Granite slabs reaching the water form hidden coves, adding to the picturesque environment.
Komoot offers several guides for Embalse de San Juan, covering various activities. These include Cycling around Embalse de San Juan, Hiking around Embalse de San Juan, and MTB Trails around Embalse de San Juan. Other guides focus on family-friendly options, traffic-free routes, and gravel biking.
Key recreational areas, such as Playa de la Virgen de la Nueva and Playa de El Muro, offer essential services. These include parking facilities, restaurants, and lifeguard services during the summer months. Information about specific amenities can often be found through local municipal tourism offices.
While specific public transport details vary, komoot offers a guide for Hikes from bus stations around Embalse de San Juan. This resource can help users identify trails accessible via public transportation. Local municipal websites may also provide bus schedules and routes.
Yes, the area around Embalse de San Juan features historical sites. These include the 15th-century Castillo de la Coracera in San Martín de Valdeiglesias and the 12th-century Cistercian monastery of Pelayos de la Presa. These sites offer cultural interest alongside the natural attractions.
The Vía Verde de Alberche is a greenway that offers scenic routes, passing over bridges and through tunnels. It is suitable for various cycling activities, including touring and road cycling. This path provides a pleasant experience through varied landscapes.

