• Easy walk from town: the route to the Silla de Felipe II is 7 km round trip from the tourism office, rated low difficulty
• Best color in fall, when the oak, ash and chestnut leaves turn
• Paid guided nature walks: a local company runs a full-day, 12 km walk through the forest and El Castañar for ages 12 and up, on dates it announces

La Herrería is the old royal forest below the El Escorial monastery, still owned by Patrimonio Nacional. Paths cross meadows of big ash trees, oak woods and a chestnut grove that has spread past the walls of the El Castañar estate, with stone fountains along the way. The classic family walk climbs gently to the Silla de Felipe II, a rock viewpoint looking back over the monastery.