[andyh]

On the back of a work conference I have one day in Madrid to get out bouldering.

I'm assuming La Pedriza is the way to go?

Requirements/factors:

 - want a fun day with lots of 6's

 - longs walk in's aren't an option as will be with my wife who's recovering from a ruptured ACL

 - ideally accessible by public transport from Madrid - I know there's a bus that goes there but will we then have a long walk? Is it better just to hire a car?

 - do I need to get a guidebook or can we just wander off into a maze of boulders and be occupied for the day?

Mucho gracias!

[Fiend]

Lots of walking to get to most places in Pedriza. I don't know where the bouldering is (well, there's boulders everywhere, I don't know where the more suitable documented stuff is).

An alternative might be Torrelodones, which is closer to Madrid and I think near enough main roads to get public transport although it's in the suburbs so buses might take some working out. There's definitely some nice problems there and it's a lot smaller to get around, you might be better there without a guide than getting lost, benighted, and eaten by bears in Pedriza.

http://sitioboulder.blogspot.co.uk/2012/08/torrelodonoes_22.html

I did a cool 6C-ish slab right near the road, there seemed to be plenty around.

[andy popp]

Or you could just go to the Prado.

[T_B]

Or you could just go to the Prado.

 

[andyh]

Or you could just go to the Prado.

We have one day for climbing, one day for touristing

Thanks Fiend, looks like it might fit the bill.

[andy popp]

Or you could just go to the Prado.

We have one day for climbing, one day for touristing

Excellent! We were in Madrid for three days just before new year - it had never been top of my list for cities to visit but I loved the place. Happy to give other recommendations beyond the Prado.

[andyh]

Excellent! We were in Madrid for three days just before new year - it had never been top of my list for cities to visit but I loved the place. Happy to give other recommendations beyond the Prado.

Fire away! 

[andy popp]

Well, the Prado - for Bosch (several of the most important works, all in one room and they let you get incredibly close), Velasquez, and Goya. We didn't get in tickets in advance and although there was a queue it moved fast. We waited perhaps 15 minutes. A world class museum but surprisingly "do-able". You can feel like you've seen the best part of it in less than a day and so its possible to see something else.  Reina Sofia close by is the city's modern art museum and houses Picasso's Guernica, one of the most important art works in the world. However, I didn't love the rest of the museum ... but of course, if you really want to see Guernica. Our surprise discovery was the beautiful and recently reopened National Archaeological Museum (MAN). Personally, I would recommend this over the Reina Sofia. A lot of people go to Toledo for the day from Madrid but if you have only one day for tourists stuff I would definitely recommend spending it in Madrid itself. Toledo feels a bit of a zoo and I didn't particularly enjoy our day there.

So, I probably haven't told you anything you don't know, but I would say get to the Prado in good time, spend a few hours there then stroll up to MAN. I loved Madrid, friendly, easy and compared to other European capital cities, dirt cheap.

[joel182]

Could consider El Escorial? Probably have to hire a car, the walks ins are very easy, views are pretty cool & boulders quite densely packed.

The monastery in the town is a world heritage site & worth a visit.

[mrjonathanr]

I can give you a lot of info about the city (I run school trips there) and info about la pedriza.

All the climbing shops are on the Ribera de curtidores but down the hill a bit the guys at urban monkey are sound if you want a rocodromo or local advice http://www.urbanmonkey.es/urban-monkey-rocodromo-madrid/localizacion-urban-monkey

PM me for info

[cjsheps]

I lived in Madrid last year, so maybe I can help in some way:

For bouldering, Pedriza is the way to go. You can get the bus from, I think, the Avenida de America exchange to pretty darn close to Pedriza. Laboratorio is fantastic, with more hard-ish stuff than easy stuff. Cantocochino offers a good grade range.

As for the city itself, one evening it could be worth going for Tapas in the city centre and checking out the Templo de Debod. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Debod - it's very pretty and gives a good view of the geography of Madrid. My flatmates took me there on our first night out, and I really enjoyed the whole thing.

Retiro is a great park - always some slackline / guitar stuff going on. And Malasaña is the "place to be" for hipster bars etc.

In general, going to the city centre and just walking around is a joy.

[andyh]

Thanks all for the suggestions, really looking forwards to it.

For bouldering, Pedriza is the way to go. You can get the bus from, I think, the Avenida de America exchange to pretty darn close to Pedriza. Laboratorio is fantastic, with more hard-ish stuff than easy stuff. Cantocochino offers a good grade range.

If you take the bus then how big a walk have you got to get to say Cantocochino?

All the suggestions are starting to make it sound like a car for the day is the best option, wherever we go to...

[mrjonathanr]

I would get a car, they are cheap enough and will save you time and effort.

[cjsheps]

I would get a car, they are cheap enough and will save you time and effort.

Long enough that if you could get a car, it would definitely be worth it.

[andyh]

Sorted, cheers fellas

[SA Chris]

I want to go too now! Always fancied it as a place to visit.

[cha1n]

Was also thinking El Escorial would be ideal, it'd be hard to get lost and there's bouldering very close to the parking. Can't remember the grades specifically though.

[andyh]

Was also thinking El Escorial would be ideal, it'd be hard to get lost and there's bouldering very close to the parking. Can't remember the grades specifically though.

Yep sounds perfect and some great looking rock. Destination sorted, now to find some online topos