Can you imagine a park so vast it rivals New York City’s Central Park? Right here in Madrid, the Parque Forestal de Valdebebas-Felipe VI stretches across an impressive 470 hectares. It’s the second-largest park in Madrid, dwarfed only by the Casa de Campo. Originally envisioned in the 1997 Madrid Master Plan, the Parque Forestal de Valdebebas-Felipe VI opened in stages, with the first 340 hectares welcoming visitors in March 2015. It is a remarkable transformation of what was once Madrid’s largest illegal landfill, Las Cárcavas, in the 1990s.
The park’s name has a story of its own. Initially called Parque Forestal de Valdebebas, it was renamed Parque de Felipe VI in 2015. Later, a non-binding referendum favored reverting to the original name. Finally, in 2019, a compromise was reached: Parque Forestal de Valdebebas-Felipe VI. This name honors King Felipe VI while acknowledging the park’s history. Located in the Valdefuentes neighborhood within the Hortaleza district, the Parque Forestal de Valdebebas-Felipe VI is bordered by major roads and urban developments. To the north lies the R-2 highway, along with the residential areas of La Moraleja and El Encinar de los Reyes. The M-11 highway and IFEMA convention center mark its southern edge. Valdebebas urban development lies to the east, and the M-40 highway and Sanchinarro development to the west.
Designed with sustainability in mind, the Parque Forestal de Valdebebas-Felipe VI is connected to Madrid’s reclaimed water network. Three reservoirs, holding 88,000 cubic meters of reclaimed water, irrigate the park. Its design, when viewed from above, resembles a giant tree, its branches spreading across the landscape. Within this green expanse are recreations of five distinct Iberian Peninsula ecosystems. You can stroll through areas representing the Iberian System, Toledo Mountains, Central System, La Alcarria, and La Mancha. Over 206,000 trees and 183,000 shrubs paint the landscape with vibrant life.
Beyond the forests, the Parque Forestal de Valdebebas-Felipe VI offers a variety of attractions. A fluvial environment, an arboretum, agricultural areas, a labyrinth, and a natural wetland provide diverse experiences. There’s even a participatory forest where citizens can contribute to the park’s growth. A dedicated cycling path encircles the park, inviting visitors to enjoy its beauty on two wheels. A network of pedestrian paths, including a cattle track connecting to the regional network of royal drove roads, crisscrosses the area. So, as you explore the Parque Forestal de Valdebebas-Felipe VI, remember that you’re not just walking through a park. You’re walking through a testament to urban renewal, a celebration of Spain’s natural heritage, and a vision of sustainable green spaces for the future.