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Community of Madrid Celebrates Centenary of Camino Schmid

The pioneering hiking route in the Sierra de Guadarrama commemorates 100 years of natural and cultural heritage.

Mountain hiking trail in the Sierra de Guadarrama with vegetation and rocks.
IA

Mountain hiking trail in the Sierra de Guadarrama with vegetation and rocks.

The Community of Madrid commemorated the centenary of the Camino Schmid, an emblematic hiking route in the Sierra de Guadarrama, emphasizing its natural and cultural significance.

The president of the Community of Madrid, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, presided over the centenary commemoration of the Camino Schmid on Saturday. This hiking route connects the hostels of Puerto de Navacerrada with the Valle de la Fuenfría, within the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. During her speech, Díaz Ayuso highlighted the importance of "honoring all that unites us with Castilla y León, the Community of Madrid, the natural heritage we share between the two regions, and the love for nature and hiking”.
The event was attended by the president of Castilla y León, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, and the ambassador of Austria to Spain, Enno Drofenik, among other members of the diplomatic corps. A commemorative plaque was unveiled to remember the route's origin, traced in 1926 by the Austrian mountaineer Eduardo Schmid Weikan. Covering 6.5 kilometers and crossing the Siete Picos ridge, this trail is considered one of the first marked itineraries in Spain, facilitating both enjoyment and the preservation of the area's natural wealth.
In the early 20th century, hiking gained popularity in Spain, driven by pioneering mountain societies such as Twenty Club (founded in 1907) and Peñalara: Los Doce Amigos (1912), precursors to the Real Sociedad de Alpinismo Peñalara. Thanks to these pioneers, scientists, and athletes, this area has become a significant natural space, attracting approximately 80,000 visitors annually. The Community of Madrid is committed to preserving its biodiversity and cultural values, paying special attention to the 34 municipalities within its Peripheral Protection Zone of the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park (PNSG).
With the goal of ensuring a sustainable future, experts from the regional government conduct regular maintenance and improvement tasks for the route. These activities include clearing brush, pruning, removing obstacles, and repairing erosion damage. Drainage improvements have been implemented, and elements such as the Antón Ruiz Velasco fountain have been restored. The centenary coincides with the Year of the Environment in the Community of Madrid, featuring over 50 activities to promote the protection of natural resources.

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