17th of October
Let’s go to Marines Antiguos to hike up to the highest peak of Sierra Calderona – el Gorgo. The area is also a perfect place to snack on madroños, which we will find growing all along the trail.
Difficulty: medium/high (15km with 550m of elevation gain).
Technical level: medium (steep descent from the peak with loose rocks).
Bring at least 1l of water, lunch, warm clothes and hiking shoes.
El Gorgo
El Gorgo (909m) is the highest peak of the Serra Calderona Natural Park. Gorgo actually forms a small massif within this complex mountain range, covered with trees (mainly pines and cork trees); the peak of Juego del Tejo connects Gorgo with the elongated tailpiece of Jabonera, which shelters on its eastern slope some of the most important cork oak spots (Quercus suber) of Calderona…. mendikat.net
Ruta del Agua de Olla
The origin of this group of houses dates back to the 11th century, specifically to the time of the Taifa kingdom. In the year 1238 it already appears in the Llibre del Repartiment with the name of Qaryät al-Ülya, “The Farmhouse of Above”. During the seventeenth century, due to its direct relationship with the field work, it was renamed to Olla. Being located in the passage zone between two different regions, it acquired strategic importance in all the war events in the area. The Tower served to welcome the inhabitants inside when the danger lurked.
The Water route, of great importance for its spectacular views and especially for the ethnological and natural elements present in the area. Note the existence of numerous sources, which maintain a small flow throughout the year, being fairly spread around the term, especially in the northern area that coincides with the mountainous area of the Sierra Calderona.
On our route along the paths and roads of the term, sources, azudes, ponds, reservoirs come out to meet us… The sources mostly have a construction made with slabs of rodeno to keep this precious liquid in the best conditions. This can be seen in sources such as Fuente del Sargatillo, guarded by giant cork oaks or Fuente de Olla. The same also happens with the reservoirs that we find near the main roads at the foot of the mountain which were used to collect water that filtered through it…. Marines.es
Madroños
Even though madroño (strawberry tree fruit) is the symbol of Madrid, the Gorgo area is full with these delicios berries, which are in season right now, therefore we will be able to feast on it during the hike.
Wikipedia: Madroño
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