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Ciclamadrid is an initiative developed by the Madrid Regional Government for those wishing to enjoy the beautiful local countryside by bike. This circular path covers many of the towns in the Madrid region, and is divided into sections to make it easier to follow. San Lorenzo de El Escorial is the reference point for two stages. There is also a circular urban route available here covering San Lorenzo de El Escorial and its surroundings, beginning and ending at El Escorial train station.
Stage 10: Moralzarzal to San Lorenzo de El Escorial. This stage enters San Lorenzo de El Escorial via the Colada de Collado-Villalba as far as the Historic-Artistic Complex declared a Site of Cultural Interest in 1971.
Stage 11: San Lorenzo de El Escorial to Robledo de Chavela. The route leaves San Lorenzo de El Escorial along Paseo de Carlos III, entering the La Herrería Woods (belonging to the Natura Network, and a Site of Cultural Interest known as the “Abantos Pine Woods and La Herrería Area”), and reaches the Seat of Felipe II before heading to Zarzalejo and Robledo de Chavela, skirting the Machotas mountains.
Urban route around San Lorenzo de El Escorial
Ciclamadrid also offers an urban tour for those visiting by bike.
This is a circular route beginning at El Escorial train station. From there head up Paseo de los Álamos, which runs parallel to the fence edging the park around the House of the Heir Apparent, entering the Historic-Artistic Complex of San Lorenzo de El Escorial by crossing Calle del Rey, Plaza de la Constitución and Calle Floridablanca, and heading down Calleja Larga, crossing through the La Herrería Woods as far as the M-505 Highway.
Follow the highway to the El Batán Gulley, and there take the earth track which crosses through another part of La Herrería as far as the Ávila Highway, which then becomes Paseo de Carlos III. This section passes in front of the House of Prince Gabriel. The route follows Calle Timoteo Padrós, Calle Conde de Aranda and Avenida de Carlos Ruíz as far as the Euroforum Felipe II building.
From there it heads down Carlos Arniches, Maestro Alonso and Leandro Rubio before rejoining Paseo Carlos III, with the House of the Company, now home to the Royal University Centre of Escorial María Cristina, off to the left. Nearby is the viewing platform for the southern façade of the Monastery, with an entrance beneath the arches leading to the Friars’ Garden.
Once you have passed through the arches surrounding the Royal Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial, head along Avenida de Juan de Borbón y Battemberg, passing the House of the Princes and the Queen on the left, the House of the Secretary of State (known as the Third House of Offices), the Second and First House of Offices, the last of which is home to the Tourist Office (at Calle Grimaldi 4). Continue as far as Plaza de la Virgen de Gracia.
From here head down the station road as far as Paseo de los Álamos, which will take you to the town of El Escorial, where you can visit the Church of San Bernabé and the famous “Borrowed” Monastery, before returning to the train station.