Stage 5: Navafría – Arcones

Stage 5 of the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental Nature Trail starts by the natural pool located in the pool of Navafría. It starts properly in the information panel which stands nearby and enters the pretty town of Navafría by the Calle de los Molinos. It runs along the whole length of this street until reaching the Plaza de Mayo, just facing the town hall.

Once the town hall has been reached, the trail continues right by the Calle de Mayo, which goes up to the left and leaves gradually the town by the road SG-V-6112, where the last houses are left behind. Shortly afterwards, the trail turns left and becomes a wide dirt path which runs among ash trees, an evidence of the humid nature of the soil.

Kilometre point 72 is reached and shortly afterwards the trail leaves to its right the town cemetery, before going uphill. The trail crosses the road SG-612 (please proceed with utmost care) and continues along the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental drover's way by the path to the right.

After reaching a new kilometre point, the road goes quickly downhill, leading the traveller to cross the river Pozas by the bridge known as Riscos bridge. Just afterwards, a steep slope makes the trail leave the valley behind and brings it back to its original height.

At this stage, the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental drover's way is enclosed by traditional stone walls which separate neighbouring states. Inside these states beautiful specimens of ash trees(Fraxinus angustifolia) and Pyrenean oaks (Quercus pirenaica) may be admired.

The environmental value of this stage is unquestionable, since it entirely runs by the Sierra Norte de Guadarrama Natural Park, which as also been included in the Natura 200 network as Specially Protected Area (SPA).

Kilometre point 75 is reached, with the heights of Sierra de Guadarrama looming always to the right. Shortly afterwards, the trail crosses a small creek by means of a ford placed for that purpose and a gate with a revolving door for walkers. The trail winds uphill and downhill along a short section in the small valley of the Riacillo creek and its tributary streams.

The trail continues along a wide, well-defined path. The trail turns right at the following crossroad, as signalled by the Nature Trail signals. Then, it goes uphill, leaving behind the Tollas creek, which is also a tributary of the aforementioned Riacillo creek.

After kilometre point 77, the trail turns left, leaves the dirt path and, without ever leaving the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental drover's way, reaches the traditional resting area called Descansadero de Gallegos. At this point, the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental exceeds its legally established width of 75 m so that its function as a resting space is guaranteed.

Shortly afterwards the trail reaches another traditional resting area known as Descansadero Corral de la Mesta, where lost or unidentified sheep and those used for paying taxes were kept, before a new gate with revolving door for pedestrians which acts a as border between the municipalities of Gallegos y Matabuena.

A succession of small creeks is crossed by means of fords. The largest of those creeks is the Guijar de las Ganchas creek. The trail runs constantly across pastures dotted with Pyrenean oaks whose branches were trimmed in the past to be used to feed the sheep when grass was scarce.

The trail turns left by the wide dirt path, and abandons it a few metres afterwards by turning again, right this time, to continue this journey to the past by the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental drover's way. At this point, the traveller can see the town of Matabuena to their left. Shortly afterwards, the trail goes uphill and downhill crossing small temporary creeks by means of fords.

Kilometre point 80 is preceded by a new ford and, after crossing several creeks, the most noteworthy of which is the Palancar creek, and reaching a new kilometre point, the trail becomes a steep downhill slope; those travelling by bicycle are advised to get off their bikes and walk this section. The trail zigzags down the slope following the path in order to avoid walking in a straight line, which would be steeper. After crossing two fords the trail goes briefly uphill until reaching a gate with a revolving door for walkers. At this point, the tracing turns north and a downhill section begins where patches of Scots pines (Pinus sylvestris) are dominant, together with a diverse bush layer.

Shortly before kilometre point 83, the trail reaches a crossroads and continues by the path at their left, which is a wide path crossing an area where pastures, mainly, and some cereal crops, become dominant instead of tree patches.

Before kilometre point 84 the road turns left with the sole purpose of reaching the municipality of Arcones, specifically the village of La Mata. The dirt path ends shortly after leaving behind the first houses, and at that point the trial turns right by the asphalt road called Calle La Mata. Walking along this road allows for visiting most of this small village. The asphalt road becomes a dirt path again as soon as the last houses are left behind, and on this dirt path the information panel signalling the end of this fifth road of the Cañada Real Soriana Occidental Nature trail between Navafría and Arcones can be found.