Walks in the Montes de Toledo from Hontanar · Route no. 08
Corral de Cantos Walk: Hontanar’s summit (1,421 m)
The big climb from Hontanar: up the Navas de Estena path and along the ridge to Corral de Cantos, at 1,421 m one of the highest summits in the Montes de Toledo, and down the forest track to the Collado de la Madroña. A long, unmarked route for experienced walkers only.
Route facts
A loop from Hontanar. Figures from the Wikiloc track by Josuns (May 2021): about 5 h 30 min with stops.
- 🐕 Dogs: yes, fit and on a lead
- Waymarking: none, the track is essential
- Off-path: about 3 km along the ridge
- Best season: autumn and spring
- Avoid: fog, rain or strong heat
Distance from Cork Valley
3.5 km by road from Cork Valley to the car park by the municipal pool in Hontanar.
Road distance to the start of the walk, measured on the OpenStreetMap road network from Cork Valley in Hontanar.
Route map
The numbered points open Google Maps when tapped. Route drawn from the track published on Wikiloc by Josuns, over tracks, streams and roads from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL licence). The arrows show the direction of the walk.
Waypoints and how to get there
Park in Hontanar, following the signs to the municipal swimming pool, 3.5 km from Cork Valley. From there a paved lane soon turns into a forest track and enters the pine wood.
- 1Hontanar car park — follow the signs to the municipal swimming pool and park there. Start and finish.GPS: 39.6106, −4.4984 · Open in Google Maps
- 2Senda de Navas de Estena — on a sharp bend by a gully the path leaves to the right; there is no sign.GPS: 39.5900, −4.4957 · Open in Google Maps
- 3Meadow by the CM-4151 — from here you climb beside an estate fence up to the ridge.GPS: 39.5867, −4.5064 · Open in Google Maps
- 4Corral de Cantos — the summit, with a fire lookout hut and steps up to the top.GPS: 39.5709, −4.4784 · Open in Google Maps
- 5Collado de la Madroña — after a barrier on the track you drop to Hontanar along the Senda de la Madroña.GPS: 39.6095, −4.4812 · Open in Google Maps
What the walk is like
From the car park a track enters the pine wood and slowly loses height among pines and oaks. On a sharp bend by a gully, with no sign at all, the Navas de Estena path leaves to the right, crosses two gullies and climbs beside the last one: one of the loveliest stretches, and from here on it is all uphill. The path comes out on a track and, near the CM-4151 road, at a pleasant meadow that is ideal for a rest.
From the meadow you climb beside an estate fence up to the ridge of the sierra. Here the paths disappear: about 3 km are almost off-path, through rockrose and young oak that slow you down, following the fence to Corral de Cantos, recognisable by its fire lookout hut. The way down is the forest track that reaches the hut, for several kilometres, to the Collado de la Madroña, and from there the Senda de la Madroña back to Hontanar.
Photographs
Practical information
What to take
- Plenty of water and something to eat
- Hiking boots
- Sun cream, a cap and sunglasses
- A charged phone with the track downloaded
- A lead for your dog
Rules in the hills
- Stay on tracks and paths
- Close any gates you open
- No fires
- Respect livestock and private estates
- During the hunting season, avoid hunt days
- Take your rubbish home
🐕 Only for fit dogs. Always on a lead. The ridge section has rockrose and thick scrub.
No booking or permit is needed, but mountain experience is: carry the Wikiloc track on your phone or a GPS, plenty of battery, and tell someone your route. There is little shelter from the wind at the summit.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is the climb to Corral de Cantos?
Hard: 17.4 km and about 718 m of total ascent, with about 3 km off-path along the ridge and no waymarking.
What is at the summit of Corral de Cantos?
A fire lookout hut with steps up to the top. The views take in much of the Montes de Toledo.
Can it be shortened?
Yes: going up and down the forest track from the Collado de la Madroña avoids the off-path section, though it is less varied.
Where do I park?
In Hontanar, by the municipal pool, 3.5 km from Cork Valley.
Where to stay
Cork Valley · Mirror Houses and wooden cabins
The natural base for this walk: adults-only, pet-friendly rural accommodation in Hontanar, in the heart of the Montes de Toledo, 130 km from Madrid and 55 km from Toledo. Mirror Houses that reflect the dehesa, wooden cabins, a private Nordic hot tub and a saltwater infinity pool. Your dog sleeps indoors, goes everywhere with you and even has a pool of its own.
Certified Starlight Destination and Alojamiento Rural Singular of Castilla-La Mancha.
Other walks from Hontanar
Walks in the Montes de Toledo that start in or near Hontanar, with their road distance from Cork Valley. See also our walks in Cabañeros National Park.
- Los Porches Walk · hiking route in ToledoAn easy loop from the village · 8.5 km · 3.5 km from Cork Valley
- Arroyo de las Lanchas Walk · hiking route in ToledoWaterfalls and a 1,297 m pass · 12.6 km · 3.5 km from Cork Valley
- Corral de Cantos WalkHontanar’s summit, 1,421 m · 17.4 km · 3.5 km from Cork Valley
- Collado de Pasamontes and Hoz de Carboneros Walk · hiking route in ToledoCaves, a 1,400 m summit and waterfalls · 17.4 km · 6.8 km from Cork Valley
- Hoz de Carboneros and Pico de la Sombrerera Walk · hiking route in ToledoWaterfalls, scrambling and a 1,400 m summit · 19.1 km · 5.6 km from Cork Valley
Take the route guide with you
Everything about this walk — map, GPS points, what to take and the rules in the hills — in a PDF ready to print or save to your phone before you set off, as mobile coverage is patchy along parts of the route.
⬇ Download the full route guide (PDF)Corral de Cantos Walk · map, GPS points and practical information to print and take with youRoute guide produced by Cork Valley from the track published on Wikiloc by Josuns (view on Wikiloc). Map: track drawn over data © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL licence. Distances, ascent and times as given by the original track. The map is for orientation and does not replace a topographic map or a GPS.