European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 29, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                An Overlook in the Sierra de los Porrone mountains is a Good place for a late morning break drive in the country s is s. I Madrid to Segovia the slow Way a couple of storks share a nest built in a Church Tower near Segovia. Madrid s big City atmosphere occasionally wears thin even for its most enthusiastic boosters. So when residents of Madrid get tired of the fast paced City lifestyle of the traffic jams and noise Many Retreat to the ruggedly Beautiful mountainous Region North of the capital. There they can drive leisurely along winding Road through Cool dense Pine forests and Over Hills affording spectacular views of Mountaintop castles tiny villages and dark Blue lakes. There Are several routes from Madrid to Segovia but one of the most spectacular and pleasant trips is along the Banks of the River Manzanares which passes through Madrid. Take m-607 North out of Madrid to Colmenar Viejo about 20 Miles Northwest. It s a typical castilian town  totally on agriculture and dominated by a 16th-Century Church. Continue on m-607 until reaching Cerceda a town of Only 1,000 inhabitants. Turn onto m-608, which skirts the foot of the Sierra de los Porrone mountains and follow it until it reaches Manzanares Al real. This i Ltd the site of an imposing 15th-Century Castle from which there is a breathtaking View of the Santillana Reservoir and the surrounding area. The Castle with its turrets of beaded holdings and Golden Brownstone stands impressively against the rugged backdrop of a virtually inaccessible Rock face. Inside the Castle is a collection of tapestries for Public viewing. Just past the Castle at the town of Soto Del real head North to Miraflores de la Sierra. The town near the Miraflores Reservoir has All the flavor of a local Holiday resort. It is a Good base for hikes into the surrounding Hills and forests. From Miraflores continue North along m-629, which takes you to the Canencia pass. The Road offers some of the most spectacular vistas in the Region and is a favorite of both bikers and hikers a As Well As the occasional Donkey drawn cart. The Road eventually runs into m-604. Turn West toward Lozoya Valley and the Pinilla Reservoir. The Road runs through open Countryside and offers a perfect View of the tranquil Reservoir Waters. From Here either continue North from Lozoya on a Small winding Road toward route 110, which leads into Segovia or head Southwest on m-604 toward Rasca fria where the chief attraction is the 14th Century Al Paular monastery. From Rasca fria the Road winds South to m-601, where the visitor is in position to head Back to Madrid or continue on toward Segovia. Either Way it makes for a Beautiful drive. A David Tarrant two donkeys pull a loaded cart along a Dusty path. At left the Castle at Manzanares Al real stands atop a Hill and offers great views of the Reservoir below. A amps photos by Jim Derheim