{"id":7173,"date":"2026-05-15T11:00:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-15T01:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/2026\/?p=7173"},"modified":"2026-05-21T16:46:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T06:46:51","slug":"day-3-manzanares-el-real-to-cercedilla","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/robscamino.com\/2026\/day-3-manzanares-el-real-to-cercedilla\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 3 – Manzanares El Real to Cercedilla"},"content":{"rendered":"

So,\u00a0after a very pleasant stay with Ray and Rosa at their little garden\u00a0albergue, we set off today for\u00a0Cercedilla. Ray and Rosa were great hosts and provided a wonderful dinner and there were two other pilgrims staying with us in their small\u00a0albergue.\u00a0So,\u00a0the walk to\u00a0<\/span>Mataelpino<\/span>\u00a0was the first stage of\u00a07 1\/2\u00a0k’s, which was glorious and the weather was fantastic. <\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Day<\/p>\n

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The\u00a0views were\u00a0great!\u00a0We saw lots of animals along the way\u00a0and then when we got to\u00a0Mataelpino, we managed to find a cafe that was open and had an amazing, huge breakfast. First,\u00a0we ordered toast with tomato and then the lady asked,\u00a0\u201cDo you want ham?\u201d\u00a0Yes.\u00a0\u201cDo you want cheese?\u201d\u00a0Yes.\u00a0\u201cDo you want some eggs?\u201d\u00a0Yes.\u00a0So,\u00a0we ended up with this huge breakfast, which was great.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Day<\/p>\n

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And then from Mataelpino, we headed towards Navacerrada. We had a little bit of a navigation challenge there. I was using a new mapping app called OsmAnd. And I had tried to set the destination, next destination being Navacerrada to follow that because it gives us the distance to go. But unfortunately, I think it took us on the wrong track a couple of times. So, I gave up using that and fell back on the trusty Gronza map. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

And then we got into Navacerrada and had a wonderful lunch before heading on to Cercedilla. And in fact, just passed Cercedilla because we stayed at the youth hostel at Las DeHesas. And why did we stay at a youth hostel? Well, because it gives you about a 3 1\/2k start up the hill for the next day. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Day<\/p>\n

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So,\u00a0it’s\u00a0past the town of\u00a0Cercedilla\u00a0and\u00a0it’s\u00a0very good\u00a0value. I think we paid 56 euros for a private double room with\u00a0bathroom, including dinner and breakfast.\u00a0The only slight downside is that you end up having dinner with all of the kids who are staying at the youth hostel.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\"Day<\/span><\/p>\n

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So,\u00a0it’s a bit like being back at school and the noise was horrendous.\u00a0Ultimately,\u00a0it\u00a0was\u00a0a great place\u00a0to\u00a0stay\u00a0and it was great that the authorities allow adult hikers to stay there.\u00a0So,\u00a0then we managed to get a good night’s sleep,\u00a0ready for the mountain the next day.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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