Other natural resources

Laguna de San Galindo y de la Espadaña

Situated along the banks of the River Tajuña, formed by sheets of water and extensive reeds. They have a thicket which is one of the most important of all arboreal nuclei along this stretch of the Tajuña. There are important populations of migratory and nesting birds.

Laguna de Casasola

Located along the left hand bank of the Tajuña, access is gained from a rural road that runs alongside the historic Casasola castle.

It is a reedland that surrounds a small covering of sweet water, tenmporary in nature, remaining dry for long Summer periods.

The arboreal vegetation is restricted to some fruit trees, rushes and reeds. It does not attract a great number of birds although amongst them are a dormitory for starlings and the presence of marsh birds and anatidae.

Cañada Real Galiana

Straddles the borders between the South-East Park and the municipality of Chinchón and is on a hill between the rivers Jarama and Tajuña.

Protected by Law as a Waterway, it is the most important one although Chinchón has an extensive network of streams that cross its territory.

Impressive views over the two farmlands and the cliffs from the highest points of the municipality can be enjoyed.

Cerro de Valdezarza

Thick vegetation made up of gall-oaks and a place of refuge for numerous fauna. It is reached along several different rural roads and here is where the series of springs and washing places are found which were built by the Society of Harvesters and which have been recently refitted. This is where water was harnessed for consumption and for washing in earlier days. Nowadays the aquifers in this area still provide abundant water.

Barranco de Villacabras

Shaped over the years by the action of the water, it has etched out a wide groove along which the water flows and where there is abundant vegetation. The water and time have both formed curious curves at different heights in the cliffs which stay full.

It is famous spring of medicinal waters with a strong taste that for years was used for curing all kinds of stomach ills amongst the people in the area.

Barranco de Valdepozas

A rural road that strikes out from the San Galindo road and runs parallel to a ravine formed by the action of the water, lying between narrow cliffs on both sides. It is one of the most picturesque routes in the area.

Castillo de Chinchón

Located at one end of the town, its position affords it magnificent views over the historic center as well as all of the landscape in the immediate area (see Historic Heritage).

Castillo de Casasola

In the middle of the farmland of the Tajuña this defensive construction is very close to a lagoon of the same name. Its turret, or so the story goes, has a secret passage through which one could pass when needed out on the nearby roads. Nowadays it is in a fairly poor condition, albeit the views from the highest part are splendid over the fields and the castle’s silhouette can be easily distinguished from all of the hills in the neighborhood.

Vega del río Tajuña

From Ambite as far as Titulcia passing through a large part of the municipality of Chinchón, occupied by crops and lagoons is this farmland which crosses different and characteristic landscapes from the harsh limestone cliffs as far as the fertile fields and formations of thickets.

There are numerous mills along the course of the river which denote the importance and impact of the river on everyday life in this area.Prominent is the confluence in the municipality of Titulcia with the River Jarama along its lower course and the route of the old Tajuña Railway along its upper course (from Ambite to Morata de Tajuña), that allows extensive stretches of its waters to be covered on foot or on bicycle.Within the municipality of Chinchón the basin of the rural roads or tracks can be trod as described in the section on Routes.

El Pingarrón

Crossed by the Galiana Track, it is the only part of Chinchón included within the boundaries of the South-East Park, and is well known for its ecological values (vegetation and fauna) as well as being one of the highest points of Chinchón (695 m). Thick vegetation and magnificent views can be had of the farmland in the fields alongside the Jarama and the Tajuña.

Cabeza Bermeja

A hill dominating the municipality which can be climbed from different rural roads in an area where there is a lot of pine forestation going on. From here there are views over the rural countryside and it can be seen how man has transformed his natural surroundings to suit himself.

Páramos de Chinchón

Dry landscapes in the very heart of the region on high land where human settlements are hard to imagine. There is little vegetation and the land is parched with low shrubbery, thyme, some oak and large groves of vineyards and olives.

They can be seen at the junction of Route N-404 from Chinchón to Villarejo de Salvanés, passing through Valdelaguna or Belmonte del Tajo, providing unique contrasts between the red earth and the dryland crops.

Fuentes de Valquejigoso

Arriving from Chinchón Castle, along various roads, one reaches a large area that has been forested with pine trees and where there is a leisure area with infrastructure and fountains with spring water built years ago for the consumption of the population. There is a stark contract between the thickness of the pine trees and the moors and countryside surrounding them.

Restos del antiguo ferrocarril del Tajuña

From Morata to Chinchón and from Chinchón to Colmenar de Oreja, there can still be seen the outline where the railway ran but there are no remains of any tracks or stations.

Nevertheless, on the high part of the Tajuña from Ambite to Morata de Tajuña, action taken by the Community of Madrid has recovered the route it ran as a Greenways for traveling along it on bicycle or on foot. Built over 100 years ago, the train went out of fashion and was dismantled. Nowadays, Chinchón does not have any railway at all.

The straight line formed by the old rail track as far as Colmenar de Oreja is a perfect place for a quiet and peaceful walk, but the part which runs as far as Morata, crosses different hillocks and thick vegetation and is better appreciated from atop a bicycle.