La Hiruela: A Hidden Treasure of Sierra del Rincón

La Hiruela is an area known for its natural surroundings and famous for its hiking trails. La Hiruela is located in the Sierra Norte, near the border with the province of Guadalajara. It is about 95 kilometers from Madrid and is part of the region known as Sierra del Rincón, along with other localities such as Prádena del Rincón, Montejo de la Sierra, Horcajuelo, Madarcos or Puebla de la Sierra. To the east, it borders Colmenar de la Sierra, another municipality of the Community of Madrid, while to the north it borders El Cardoso de la Sierra, of the province of Guadalajara, which reflects its border geographical position with Castilla-La Mancha. Just an hour from Madrid, the landscape transforms and leaves behind the urban bustle to give way to places where peace and tranquility prevail. Such is the case of La Hiruela, one of those hidden treasures where history and nature intertwine. According to the latest records from the National Statistics Institute (INE) of 2014, this locality in the north of the Community of Madrid has 83 inhabitants. This does not prevent plans from existing, for example, for a weekend getaway, which is favorable given that they are often located about an hour from the capital. The north of the Community of Madrid houses a large number of municipalities, many unknown to the general public, that preserve a discreet and authentic beauty. Without a doubt, the hospitality of its neighbors and the tranquility of its streets invite you to disconnect from the frantic pace of the capital. In the background, it serves to accredit that Madrid is not only a city, but also a land full of rural secrets to discover. Among sierras, valleys and plains are municipalities with cobblestone streets, ancient hermitages, stone houses or the sound of bells marking the slow pace of the days. Corners that have their charm, although in some cases the number of residents barely reaches a hundred. All these localities are within the mountainous natural environment that integrates the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve. «There is no data on the foundation of the village, but its origin is probably medieval, as a result of the repopulation of the area after the reconquest, between the 12th and 13th centuries», can be read on the town council's website. How to get to La Hiruela By public transport, up to two buses are necessary to get to La Hiruela. First, the 191 from Plaza de Castillo to Buitrago de Lozoya. On the other hand, the Senda de molino a molino is a route that crosses an oak forest, crosses the Jarama river and passes through the ruins of the Molino de Juan Bravo for a total of five kilometers that translate into about two hours. For example, the Senda de la Fuente Lugar route is 1.5 km long, has a low difficulty and a duration of about half an hour. To do this, you have to take exit 76 on the A-1 and then continue along the M-137 road to La Hiruela. Once there, several signposted hiking routes can be taken to enjoy its natural environment. Some are more accessible and others are more difficult. From there, the 911 to La Hiruela, with only two services from Monday to Friday, while on weekends the service is performed by the SD1 line on demand but always communicating it, at least, two hours in advance. Better communication obviously exists by private car.