The park was created as part of a regional project to develop a green belt around the periphery of Madrid.
It is managed by the Community of Madrid's environmental services rather than the local municipal council.
The landscape design specifically utilizes autochthonous, drought-resistant flora to minimize irrigation requirements.
It acts as a key migratory corridor for local fauna within the Henares and Manzanares river basins.
The park integrates with the wider 'Parque Regional del Sureste' environmental protection zone.
Valdebernardo Forest Park is a 100-hectare peri-urban green space located in the Vicálvaro district of Madrid. It was designed as a natural transition zone between the urban environment and the open landscape of southeastern Madrid. The terrain features rolling hills and a diverse Mediterranean forest landscape composed mainly of Aleppo pines, holm oaks, and kermes oaks. The park serves as a hub for environmental education through its dedicated center, which hosts workshops and interpretive exhibits. A network of pedestrian paths and cycle tracks traverses the site, facilitating cross-district connectivity. The area is intentionally left in a semi-wild state to promote local biodiversity and reforestation in the regional context.
The high vantage points on the park's eastern slopes offering panoramic views of the Madrid skyline against the forest foreground.
Bring your own water, as drinking fountains are sparse in the outer forest zones.
The terrain is exposed with little overhead cover; wear a hat and high-SPF sunscreen even on cloudy days.
Stick to the marked trails to protect the fragile re-planted soil areas.
Attempting to visit during the hottest hours of a mid-summer day, as the park offers minimal shade in its younger plantation areas.
The Environmental Education Center may have restricted access during holidays; check local environmental portals for seasonal event schedules.
Leash your dogs in designated areas; do not pick plants or disturb wildlife habitats.
