National parks near Collado de Contreras, Castille and León
Collado de Contreras sits inside the Peñaranda de Bracamonte area and reaches the same parks. See national parks near Peñaranda de Bracamonte for the full write-up.
Sierra de Guadarrama National Park is the closest national park to Collado de Contreras, Castille and León — 80.6 km (50.1 mi) in a straight line, which works out to roughly 1 hr 38 min behind the wheel.
Sierra de Guadarrama, Monfragüe, and Cabañeros make a full day trip — leave early. Tablas de Daimiel, Picos de Europa, and Islas Atlánticas de Galicia are better with a night booked nearby.
Collado de Contreras has a population of about 249.
National parks near Collado de Contreras
| Park | Straight-line distance | Estimated drive | Realistic trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra de Guadarrama National Park | 80.6 km (50.1 mi) | 1 hr 38 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Monfragüe National Park | 149 km (92.6 mi) | 2 hr 39 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Cabañeros National Park | 170 km (106 mi) | 2 hr 57 min | Doable as a day trip |
| Tablas de Daimiel National Park | 221 km (137 mi) | 3 hr 42 min | Best as a weekend |
| Picos de Europa National Park | 257 km (160 mi) | 4 hr 14 min | Best as a weekend |
| Islas Atlánticas de Galicia National Park | 372 km (231 mi) | 5 hr 55 min | Best as a weekend |
| Sierra Nevada National Park | 435 km (270 mi) | 6 hr 51 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Doñana National Park | 453 km (281 mi) | 7 hr 7 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park | 459 km (285 mi) | 7 hr 12 min | Worth a longer road trip |
| Sierra de las Nieves National Park | 468 km (291 mi) | 7 hr 20 min | Worth a longer road trip |
When to make this trip
Sierra de Guadarrama National Park is generally best May, June, September, and early October, with April and late October as the quieter shoulder either side.
Winter is cool and wet at low elevation and snowy in the mountains, with reduced hut and refuge service.
July and August combine peak heat with peak domestic holidays. Shoulder months are both cooler and quieter.
Month-by-month detail for Sierra de Guadarrama National Park
Seeing more than one
Several parks near Collado de Contreras are close enough to each other to combine on one trip, so the drive from home only has to happen once.
| Pair | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Cabañeros → Tablas de Daimiel | 75.8 km (47.1 mi) | 1 hr 33 min |
| Monfragüe → Cabañeros | 141 km (87.7 mi) | 2 hr 32 min |
| Sierra de Guadarrama → Cabañeros | 160 km (99.5 mi) | 2 hr 48 min |
| Sierra de Guadarrama → Tablas de Daimiel | 184 km (114 mi) | 3 hr 9 min |
Planning a trip from Collado de Contreras
Distances here are straight-line and the drive estimate adds a road factor on top, but mountain passes and seasonal closures can change it a lot — a route that looks like three hours in June can be shut entirely in February. Confirm road status with the park before you commit to a date.
Other towns in Provincia de Ávila
- Ávila
- Arévalo
- Arenas de San Pedro
- Candeleda
- Las Navas del Marqués
- Sotillo de la Adrada
- El Tiemblo
- Cebreros
- El Hoyo de Pinares
- La Adrada
- Piedralaves
- Navaluenga
- Casavieja
- Muñana
- El Barco de Ávila
- Barraco
- Madrigal de las Altas Torres
- Pedro Bernardo
- Burgohondo
- Navalperal de Pinares
- Mombeltrán
- Solosancho
- Fontiveros
- Nava de Arévalo
Common questions
What is the closest national park to Collado de Contreras?
Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. It is about 80.6 km (50.1 mi) from Collado de Contreras, roughly 1 hr 38 min of driving.
Can I do a national park day trip from Collado de Contreras?
Yes — Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, Monfragüe National Park, and Cabañeros National Park are within about a three-hour drive.
How many national parks are near Collado de Contreras?
10 parks are within reach of Collado de Contreras, 3 of them close enough for a day trip.
When is the best time to visit the parks near Collado de Contreras?
For Sierra de Guadarrama National Park, the closest one, generally May, June, September, and early October. Either side of that, April and late October stays quieter.