 The Village of Rascafria
The village of Rascafria is situated around two miles from El Caracol. The village sits at the entrance to the national park of Peñalara, whose 2,430 metre-high peak makes it the highest mountain range in the province of Madrid.
Rascafria, with its tiny population of 1,700, is an olde worlde Castilian village full of charm and character. It remains largely unchanged, although the wealth it attracts from Madrileños who visit at the weekend has ensured that it has all the amenities required to make it a popular hub of activity.
It is wonderful to drive (or walk, if you're feeling energetic!) into the village in the early evening, and soak up the pre-dinner atmosphere - the village comes truly alive around this time.
The first historical references to the valley of El Paular pertain to the ancient Burgos-Alcala-Toledo road which during Moorish domination crossed the Sistema Central.
The 'reconquista' - or re-conquest - began in 1076 by Castille, and by the end of the 13th century the Castilian knights started selling their acquired lands to the common people, who formed into groups leading to the birth of four villages, Rascafria, Oteruelo, Alameda and Pinilla.
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