Camino Schmidt 20100801

A classic loop from parking area next to Casa Cirilo, north from village of Cercedilla, to famous Camino Schmidt.

Details:
0,0km - start from parking at Casa Cirilo (at 1450m) with dirt road (Calzada Romana) uphills to Puerta Fuenfria. The climbs is fairly steady and without any technical difficulties, following wide road (possible even with 4x4 car). Nice views over the Fuenfria valley and surrounding peaks.

9,3km - Puerta Fuenfria (at 1800m). Quick stop and route turns to the east to reach Camino Schmidt. This part is much more demanding and technically more difficult with narrow path, full of stones and loose rocks, steep climbs and descents. Path goes through dense forest giving nice shadow in hot day. If done later in the day, the path may have lots of "traffic" with bikes and hikers on the way.

16,0km - Puerta Navacerrada (at 1850m). End of Camino Schmidt. Route enters wide pass with skiing center and large parking area, next to M-601 local road. After housing area, route goes to the south to enter forest again for fast and difficult descent along the spring. Loose rocks and steep path are really demending and force focus.

22,0km - Embalse Navalmedio (at 1300m). End of descent at small mountain lake with the dam. At this point forest finishes and route turns west, following dirt road through the fields until the village of Cercedilla. After passing the village, route turns north by asphaltus road to reach the starting point at Casa Cirilo - this part is a climb from about 1200m to starting altitude of 1450m.

Level moderate to difficult for technical difficulties on Camino Schmidt and descent from puerta Navacerrada. Beautiful landscapes of Guadarrama mountains.

INFO:
Cercedilla is accessible by local train ("cercanias") from all major stations in Madrid (Chamartin, Nuevos Ministerios, Atocha).