Casa de Campo: the lake and the pines

Stops along the way

Things to notice.

1. 01

   1

   El Lago and the terraces

   Start at the boating lake, the social heart of the park, ringed with old-school terrace bars. Take a table on the water's edge for a drink and the view back across to the royal palace on its ridge — the postcard everyone gets here, and worth getting. Boats for hire if you want the water.

   01

   El Lago and the terraces

   Start at the boating lake, the social heart of the park, ringed with old-school terrace bars. Take a table on the water's edge for a drink and the view back across to the royal palace on its ridge — the postcard everyone gets here, and worth getting. Boats for hire if you want the water.

   ◉Street View
2. 02

   2

   Teleférico arrival

   The cable car from Argüelles lands on the hillside above the lake — a 1969 line that drifts over the river and the pines. You don't have to ride it; the arrival platform and its café give you the view down over the whole park. If you do ride, take it on the way in another day.

   02

   Teleférico arrival

   The cable car from Argüelles lands on the hillside above the lake — a 1969 line that drifts over the river and the pines. You don't have to ride it; the arrival platform and its café give you the view down over the whole park. If you do ride, take it on the way in another day.

   ◉Street View
3. 03

   3

   The pine woods

   Strike west off the lake into the holm-oak and pine, where the park stops being a garden and becomes something closer to open country. Five times the size of Central Park, and most of it is this. Pick a track and follow it; the paths all loop back.

   03

   The pine woods

   Strike west off the lake into the holm-oak and pine, where the park stops being a garden and becomes something closer to open country. Five times the size of Central Park, and most of it is this. Pick a track and follow it; the paths all loop back.

   ◉Street View
4. 04

   4

   Cerro Garabitas viewpoint

   The high ground of the park, the hill the Republican lines held in the Civil War. The climb is gentle and the reward is the city laid out east across the trees. Quiet on a weekday; bring water in summer, there's little shade on top.

   04

   Cerro Garabitas viewpoint

   The high ground of the park, the hill the Republican lines held in the Civil War. The climb is gentle and the reward is the city laid out east across the trees. Quiet on a weekday; bring water in summer, there's little shade on top.

   ◉Street View
5. 05

   5

   Paseo del Embarcadero back to the water

   Drop back east toward the lake on the broad central avenue, the pines closing overhead. A long, easy descent that gives the legs a rest after the hill. The lake reappears between the trunks ahead.

   05

   Paseo del Embarcadero back to the water

   Drop back east toward the lake on the broad central avenue, the pines closing overhead. A long, easy descent that gives the legs a rest after the hill. The lake reappears between the trunks ahead.

   ◉Street View
6. 06

   6

   Lakeside to Casa de Campo station

   Round the southern shore of the lake to the Casa de Campo metro, where lines 5 and 10 take you back. One last look across the water to the palace before you go underground. The terraces are still busy if you've time for one more drink.

   06

   Lakeside to Casa de Campo station

   Round the southern shore of the lake to the Casa de Campo metro, where lines 5 and 10 take you back. One last look across the water to the palace before you go underground. The terraces are still busy if you've time for one more drink.

   ◉Street View