El Atazar - Pico Centenera

Route in a remote area in the northeast of Madrid region, characterised by its relief of slate and schists rocks. This by itself configures all the land management, flora and fauna. The ecosystem.

El Atazar is best known by the huge reservoir that has its name. But it is also a little village that traditionally worked on livestock, mainly sheep and goats, now more focused on turism.

Estimated time: 7 h

Maximum altitude: 1809 m

Altitude difference/gradient: 750 m.

Distance: 24 Km

GETTING THERE:

The village of El Atazar is 79 km to the north of Madrid City. For arriving there the best option is by car, taking the A-1 motorway until exit 60 towards El Berrueco. There, follow indications to “”Presa de El Atazar” (El Atazar dam), cross over it and continue to the village. Normally there are car places by the church.

DESCRIPTION

From the church, go down towards a valley at the East. There is a track that passes by the cemetery. Then turn northwards descending the valley.

Follow this track that passes first some orchards by the stream and then enters an oak wood (Quercus pyrenaica). You will arrive to a sort of pass with some farm buildings and pastures amid the bushes. Follow the way up and notice a path with a barrier to the right, because you will need to take it later. It is a part of the long distance trail GR-88, marked with red and white signs.

Continue along the track until you will arrive to a junction with a barrier. Take the track to the right and be aware of cairns and paths that runs to the left at the highest point, paths that join together and foloow the summit line. Following up and down, but mainly upwards, it will take you to the highet point of the range, the Centenera summit (1809 m).

The landscape along the line its open shrubland, with some patches of pine plantations that hardly grow up given the weather conditions and the rocky soil.

The return uses the same path, although a little variation can be done as described in the route El Atazar - GR-88. Loop

View of the ridge that brings you to the summit.

MAP AND PROFILE