La Jarosa Reservoir

La Jarosa is a reservoir in the Sierra de Guadarrama near Madrid covering about 55 hectares, with clear water surrounded by pine forests, oak trees, and other vegetation. The lake sits in a valley with several hiking trails and picnic areas for visitors.

The reservoir was built in 1968 over the site of an abandoned medieval village called La Herreria. Beneath the lake lie the remains of the old settlement, and when water levels drop, the ruins of a small chapel called Ermita de San Macario become visible along the shoreline.

The name La Jarosa comes from the jara shrubs that blanket the slopes with white flowers and give the area its character. Visitors experience these plants especially in spring, when their blooms bring color and scent throughout the surroundings.

The lake is located a few kilometers south of Madrid and is easily accessible by car via the A-6 highway and the M-614 road. The circular walk around the lake takes about two hours on foot, has minimal elevation gain, and is accessible for most visitors.

Nearby stands a forest of Laricio pine trees with silvery-gleaming bark, some over 500 years old, creating a particularly beautiful natural display. These ancient trees stand out when you follow the hiking path and walk through the quiet woodlands.