The Community of Madrid, spanning 8,028 km2, offers a world of contrasts from the most cosmopolitan to rural and natural environments. One of the best things to do is to visit some of the beautiful villages in Madrid, where you can enjoy nature's calm and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and daily routine.
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or just a day trip, you'll love exploring this Sierra de Madrid village. Thanks to its streets, location, architecture and essence, time seems to have stood still.
Horcajuelo de la Sierra, an ancient village
Horcajuelo de la Sierra is located on the northeastern tip of the Sierra Norte de Madrid. With only 110 inhabitants, it's an ideal place to disconnect from routine and enjoy nature.
The village is nestled among steep hills, with numerous streams and lush forests, at the confluence of the Garita and Grande streams. This picturesque Madrid village is surrounded by impressive rock formations and the Sierra del Rincón's peaks, the most northeastern part of the Community of Madrid's Sierra Norte. It stands out for its impressive natural and cultural beauty and impressive conservation standards.
Horcajuelo de la Sierra dates back to a seasonal population dedicated to shepherding, existing before the conquest of the kingdom of Toledo by Alfonso VI in 1085. The gradual process of repopulation initiated by this monarch did not reach Horcajuelo until 1275.
Its cobblestone streets and stone and wooden houses with roofs are distinctive features of the town that foster the feeling of travelling back in time.
Biosphere Reserve
Another of this village's strong points is its surrounding nature. In 2005, UNESCO approved Sierra del Rincón as a Biosphere Reserve, which includes La Hiruela, Horcajuelo de la Sierra, Montejo de la Sierra, Prádena del Rincón and Pádena del Rincón. This recognition was due to its rich landscape, as an example of Mediterranean ecosystems, its biodiversity conservation model and sustainable development practices.
A village for hiking and nature lovers
Horcajuelo de la Sierra is the perfect destination for people who love nature, calm and hiking. Some of the most popular trails are:
- Molino del Tío Cecilio y vuelta por la Dehesilla
- Camino de los Terreros y la Calleja de los Llanos
- Camino de las Minas de Plata de Horcajuelo de la Sierra
- Camino de la Ermita de Nuestra Señora
Architectural heritage
San Nicolás de Bari parish church, a 15th-century Gothic church, and the ethnological museum, which showcases local life and traditions of yesteryear, are the villages main cultural attractions.
Moreover, the village has a restored forge that can be visited to travel, almost literally, back in time and learn, through a first-person audio guide, what the blacksmith's trade was like, as well as a horseshoeing colt, a building in which cattle were shoed.
How to get to Horcajuelo de la Sierra
To visit Horcajuelo de la Sierra from Madrid, you can take the A-1 road heading north. Depending on where you are in Madrid, you can take the A-1 from the city centre or the M-30 towards Burgos. Once on the A-1, you will continue north until you reach exit 76, taking you on the M-137 towards Horcajuelo de la Sierra.
If you prefer public transport, buses connect Madrid with some towns in the Sierra Norte, but they do not always go directly to Horcajuelo de la Sierra. In that case, you could take a bus to a nearby town and look for local options to get to Horcajuelo.
Houses for sale in Horcajuelo de la Sierra
On idealista, you can find homes for sale in Horcajuelo de la Sierra and surroundings with a design that exudes that familiar and much-loved rural and traditional character.
For example, this fabulous villa is for sale for €925,000. It has a surface area of 575 m2 on a plot of 1,000 m2. It has seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, a heated swimming pool and sauna.
This magnificent house has excellent rustic decoration, combining stone and wood in its interior and exterior, and boasts superb views of the Sierra de Madrid.
Another example of properties for sale in this beautiful village is this three-bedroom 200 m2 house for sale for €220,000. The property is practically new, as it was built in 2018, and has a remarkable facade and attic.
Lastly, if you are looking for a bargain and want to buy a house in a village in the Sierra de Madrid, this three-bedroom 94 m2 house is €68,000.
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