Imagine water flowing through mountains. La Senda del Agua n°3 captures this essence. This installation represents a path of water. It’s not just art. It is a symbol of nature’s journey.
La Senda del Agua translates to “The Path of Water”. The name reflects its purpose. It traces the route of water. The route goes from the Berceas reservoir to Cercedilla’s water tanks. This path is visible due to erosion.
Once called “Camino de las Canteras” it became La Senda del Agua. The name changed because of the entubación. This entubación means piping. The piping carries water. You can see it along the route. Erosion has exposed it.
Hikers know it as a route. It runs through the Parque Regional de la Cuenca Alta del Manzanares. This park is in the upper Manzanares river basin.
The trail begins in Cercedilla. It ends at the Parque Nacional “Valle de la Fuenfría” visitor center. Cercedilla is a mountain town. The visitor center is in the Fuenfría Valley. The route showcases valley views. You can see nearby mountain towns.
The path stretches five kilometers one way. Walking it takes about one and a half hours. Its difficulty is low. The slope is seven percent. The highest point is 1365 meters. The lowest point is 1195 meters. The elevation change is plus 221 meters and minus 126 meters.
The trail uses light blue circles for signs. These markers guide hikers. The route highlights the Fuenfría Valley.
Another Senda del Agua exists. It is a guided tour. This tour is at the Caserío de Henares environmental education center. This path shows water canalization. It runs from the river to the Huertos de Ocio. These are leisure gardens. The tour passes an amphibian pond. It visits the Cerro Gordo lagoons. One well is on the route. The tour ends in the Huertos de Ocio. It shows water’s importance in crops.
Yet another path tells a different story. This is the Frente del Agua route. It runs through the Lozoya Valley. This area was strategic during the Spanish Civil War. Republicans and Franco’s forces fought for it. The area had many reservoirs. These supplied Madrid with water. The Frente del Agua was a line of trenches. It had bunkers and machine gun posts.
Madrid also boasts hidden water mines. These run under Ciempozuelos. They channeled water to the Vega. Locals could connect their homes to these mines. They brought water directly inside. Near the mines were bodegas. These cellars stored wine and food.
La Senda del Agua n°3 reminds us of water’s importance. It connects us to nature. It links us to history. It invites reflection. It stands as a tribute to Madrid’s natural resources.