Called Portillo del Lobo or Portiel de Lobos as well, Pico del Lobo is the most elevated mountain in Sierra de Ayllón. Its N face is the most important, an ancient little glacier was once between Pico del Lobo and La Buitrera de los Lobos. At the foot of the mountain (N) there is a ski resort named La Pinilla (1.500 m), but its slopes don't reach Pico del Lobo's summit. However, a ruined cable car station still remains near the summit. So be careful, do not shelter in the drilled building. Today, the responsible for that building should clean the area, also it remains some cables and debris.

Pico del Lobo is in vogue because the militaries want to build a big radar station on its summit So a road should be built up to the summit from Puerto de la Quesera (1.710 m). There is a lot of opposition by some conservasionist associations, climbing societies, etc (LINKS).

Getting There

BUS

From Madrid
Out of the ski season there is a bus company wich conduce you to Riaza (Segovia), this town is a bit separated from Pico del Lobo, so hitch-hiking is the best method to go to La Pinilla ski resort or Puerto de la Quesera.
In the ski season there are buses to La Pinilla ski resort, I'll try to give you the timetables and prices.

From Segovia
There is a bus company wich conduces you to Riaza, I'll try to give you timetables and prices. Then hitch-hike to Puerto de la Quesera or La Pinilla ski resort.

PRIVATE VEHICLE

From Madrid
There are 2 options:
1. A-1 up to Km 105, then N-110 passing Cerezo de Arriba (Segovia) to Riaza, finally SG-114 to Km 4 and SG-112 to Puerto de la Quesera.
2. A-1 up to Km 105, then N-110 passing Cerezo de Arriba (Segovia) 1 Km, finallly SG-114 to La Pinilla ski resort.
In summer you could eat your sandwiches in Buitrago de Lozoya (Madrid), there is a nice garden (in the shadow) in front of Iglesia de Santa María. You also could visit that nice town. Then you could start the excursion when the temperatures low, don't forget lights or headlamps.

From Segovia
N-110 to Santo Tomé del Puerto (Segovia), then N-110 passing Cerezo de Arriba (Segovia) to Riaza, finally SG-114 to Km 4 and SG-112 to Puerto de la Quesera.

From NE Spain
1. N-110 to Riaza, finally SG-114 to Km 4 and SG-112 to Puerto de la Quesera.
2. N-110 passing Riaza 8 km, finally SG-114 to La Pinilla ski resort.

From N Spain
1. A-1 passing Castillejo de Mesleón (Segovia) 6 Km, then N-110 to Riaza, finally SG-114 to Km 4 and SG-112 to Puerto de la Quesera.
2. A-1 passing Castillejo de Mesleón (Segovia) 6 Km, then N-110 passing Cerezo de Arriba (Segovia) 1 Km, finallly SG-114 to La Pinilla ski resort.

Red Tape

No permits or fees are required. No seasonal closures but in winter sometimes the road to Puerto de la Quesera is non-viable due to the snow. They don't clean it because it doesn't join important populations.

When To Climb

All season but be careful with the fog and the blizzard on some winter days (January to March mainly). In July and August the temperatures can be too much high for hiking or climbing so take a lot of water with you and try to avoid the central hours of the day.

INM weather forecast for Guadarrama and Somosierra. The last is near Pico del Lobo.

Camping

Camping is not allowed in the area but, you can vivy if you want because there is no huts nearby. La Pinilla ski resort has many apartments and bedsitters. I'll try to find more lodgings in the area but Segovia is only 50 min far and Madrid 1 h 30 min.

Mountain Conditions

Get informed of winter road conditions in pages 601 and 611 of "Teletexto" TVE.

2-Thousand Meter Mountains in Sierra de Ayllón

Pico del Lobo 2.272 m
Alto de las Mesas* 2.257 m
La Buitrera de los Lobos S summit* 2.221 m
La Buitrera de los Lobos S-SE summit* 2.215 m
Las Peñuelas Central summit 2.211 m
Las Peñuelas W summit* 2.204 m
Cerrón 2.197 m
Las Peñuelas E summit* 2.194 m
El Cervunal* 2.194 m
Tres Provincias (Cebollera Vieja) 2.128 m
Cerro de la Majada de los Carneros 2.078 m
La Pedriza* 2.071 m
Peñón de Matarredonda* 2.065 m
Loma de Cabeza Pinillo 2.061 m
El Rocín* 2.051 m
Ocejón 2.049 m
La Cebosa 2.048 m
El Corco (Coto de Montejo) 2.047 m
Cerro del Picaño Central summit 2.046 m
Buitrera 2.038 m
Cerro del Picaño W summit* 2.033 m
Cabeza Pinillo E summit* 2.032 m
Alto del Cervunalillo 2.018 m
Alto del Parrejón 2.017 m
Cerro Ortigosa* 2.011 m
Cerro del Picaño SE summit* 2.008 m
Cerro del Aventadero* 2.003 m

* Subsidiary peaks

I've climbed the majority of these summits, many of them can be attempted in a whole day.

External Links

Plataforma "Salvemos el Pico del Lobo"
All about the opposition against the building of a big radar station and a road on Pico del Lobo. It has many good photos and a registration form. Only in Spanish.
Henares al Día
This paper of Guadalajara and Club Alcarreño de Montaña offer this site with information about the ascent of Pico del Lobo (I couldn't download the .zip file). Also that club is opposed to the building of a military base on Pico del Lobo, see its section. Only in Spanish.
Barrabes
The web of this mountain department-store of Benasque (Huesca), in the heart of the Pyrenees. Better weather info for mountain zones that inm.es but not centralized on Pico del Lobo area, located in Sierra de Ayllón, Sistema Central.
Reportaje sobre vivac en el pico del Lobo
Amplio reportaje con bastantes fotos, incluye una subida desde El Cardoso de la Sierra (Guadalajara) por la cara sur del pico del Lobo y la posibilidad de dormir en la cima.
Reportaje: Subida al pico del Lobo desde La Pinilla
Fotos y descripción de esta ruta, incluye un video con bajadas esquiando por la zona. Realizado el 6-12-2004.
Reportaje: Montañismo por La Pinilla y el Pico del Lobo
Reportaje sobre montañismo y alpinismo saliendo desde La Pinilla y llegando al Pico del Lobo.

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