Circular por la Pedriza: el Collado de la Ventana, el Collado de la Dehesilla y el Yelmo

Circular route of medium-high difficulty that begins and ends at the parking lot "Canto Cochino" and that crosses one of the most beautiful parts of the Pedriza.
The route starts by crossing a small wooden bridge over the Manzanares River. Walk down the path known as the "highway of Pedriza" (part of the GR-10, marked with white and red), passing in about 30 minutes the Refugio Giner. Continue along the right bank of the creek "Arroyo de los Pollos" and cross it where the path "touches" the water (see first milestone indicated in the route). After crossing the creek, follow the path - climb smoothly to the confluence with the "Arroyo de la Ventana". There the path turns right and a steep climb along the left bank of the creek, brings you to the Collado de la Ventana. From this pass the views are spectacalar. Westward you see La Pedriza and north-eastward you can see la Najarra, La sierra de la Cabrera and with bright weather El Ocejón.
Turn right and follow the PR-M1 (Senda Termes) which will bring you to the Collado de la Dehesilla. This trail (marked with white and yellow) is divirting but quite difficult. It goes over, between and underneath rocks, and using your hands is a prerequisite. I recommend to do this part without a walking stick.
From the Collado de la Dehesilla you can turn right, going down to the Refugio Giner and back to the starting point via the "Highway of the Pedriza". But, nicer is to go straight ahead and follow the white-yellow marks that lead to the Pedriza Anterior, from which the impressive Yelmo also forms part. After a short but nasty climb you will pass the crest of "Los Fantasmas" and after a few hundred meters you will have a panoramic view towards the South: Manzanares el Real, the embalse de Santillana and - on the horizon - the four skyscrapers of Madrid. Leave the PR-M1 path by taking one of the many trails at your right that lead to the "Padrera del Yelmo". Here you can refill your bottles with fresh water and enjoy the view on the massive rock of "El Yelmo" - its flanks always being challenged by rock climbers. The descent back to "Canto Cochino" goes via the "Prado Pino".

-Route Milestones: Canto Cochino (1.020 m) - PR-M2 - Refugio Giner (1.200 m) - Senda de la Majadilla - Collado de la Ventana (1.780m) - PR-M1 (Senda Termes) - Collado de la Dehesilla (1.469 m) - Los Fantasmas (1.610 m) - Pradera del Yelmo (1.570 m) - Prado Pino (1.300 m) - Canto Cochino

- Realizada el 12-12-2009