Route of the swamps in motorhome or camper

There is a Madrid, of offices, hustle and bustle. But there is also a Madrid of vineyards, river beaches and natural labyrinths. On Comercial Caravaning  we like to show you this second part. If you do not have your own motorhome, we offer you our rental services.

We will advise you with the model that suits you best and we will explain how each element of the vehicle works in a workshop on the use of the caravan or motorhome.

Dare to know that rural Madrid. We are talking about Madrid as a town, those towns that even being only a few kilometers from the capital have little to do with traffic jams and bustle. A good way to get to know them is by taking an excursion in a motorhome or camper from our fleet, from which to enjoy the journey, stops and night rest under the starry sky of routes such as the swamps, in which we have everything in only 70 kilometers. Few kilometers, but sensations from another world.

Any driver knows that the M-501 will always be the Pantanos Highway. Starting from Alcorcón, to start our route and pass through Brunete, and then continue to Navas del Rey, a great place for sports fans. The reason? That there are several routes that can be done both on foot and by bicycle through this area that irrigate the Alberche and Cofio rivers, and that it is also the territory of the Picadas Reservoir.

We are in a place of wild springs. Former hunting ground for monarchs and a good part of the Spanish aristocracy as well as from outside our borders for the pasture that depended on the Valdeiglesias convent. Navas del Rey is a small oasis of nature between the Guadarrama and Gredos mountains that makes us forget that we are only 55 kilometers from the Madrid capital. Some of the visits that we cannot skip are the one to the church of San Eugenio Obispo or the one that leads to the remains of a tower from the times of Muslim domination.

Following the M-501 we will arrive in a few kilometers at the famous San Juan reservoir, the same one that has been baptized as “Madrid beach”, which at this time of year is much clearer than in summer time. The brave who dare to take a bath can do so in the area known as "Virgen de la Nueva", which has beach bars where they can have a drink before or after tasting the water.

In the area, gastronomy is also important. The old Grenache vineyards have become the basis for some of the best wines in Spain, complemented by delicious Avila meats and good vegetables from local gardens. The result? Those picnic areas of the 80s of the last century are now reference places of local gastronomy.

We are now very close to another point on our route, Pelayos de la Presa, surely one of the best known towns in the area. And it has its reason: surrounded by an impeccable natural environment and with the incentive of being able to visit the Monastery of Santa María de Valdeiglesias, from the late 12th century, surely Pelayos de la Sierra is the town that brings together the most attractions.

They say that at the end of the 19th century it already began to grow at a high speed, going from having five houses to hosting about 30 families. And from there, the houses continued to increase, especially from the second half of the last century, when many Madrilenians built their second homes here.

Even so, at this time of year, it preserves the village lifestyle, which long-time pelayeros attest to, who rest from vacationers. That is why now is a good time to enjoy our motorhome. Open spaces, almost forgotten paths and it is a sensation of enjoying the tranquility with another rhythm….

To finish our route through Madrid towns along the road to the swamps we still have a couple of stops left. The first in San Martín de Valdeiglesias, where there is also a good list of almost obligatory visits that do not disappoint: the spectacular Castillo de la Coracera, the Church of San Martín, its six hermitages or curiosities such as El Bosque Encantado, a botanical garden that also It is a theme park. If we are looking for adventure we can always go to Indiana, a place that will delight the most intrepid. https://www.indiana-sl.com/

And to close the route with an authentic flavor of the Madrid town, just a few kilometers away we will find Rozas de Puerto Real, between the valleys of the Tiétar and Alberche rivers and with just 500 inhabitants who enjoy the Morales reservoir and several streams in an environment where those who enjoy nature will find a gift from which there is no possible complaint. Spring has its moment and in a motorhome it is easy to enjoy it.