Collado Bajo (Sierra de Valdemeca)

The mountain wall

Sierra de Valdemeca runs north–south between Huerta del Marquesado and Valdemoro-Sierra. Red rock, Triassic sandstone and conglomerates, covered by dense pine forest. Its eastern slope, facing Huerta and Valdemeca, is almost vertical and traps clouds. Collado Bajo is its summit and the municipality’s highest point, at about 1,840 m.

Flight 42

On 29 April 1959, shortly after four in the afternoon, an Iberia Douglas DC-3 flying Barcelona–Madrid entered mountains and low clouds, diverted by the storm. People in Huerta and Valdemeca heard it pass unseen, turn and return. It struck the slope near the summit. The 25 passengers and 3 crew died. Among them were gymnast Joaquín Blume, European champion in 1957, his wife and almost the whole Spanish gymnastics team.

Villagers climbed at night through snow, guided by smoke. A stone cross was erected above. Since 2006 the Marcha Blume has climbed each April from the village to the cross and summit: 16 km and almost 600 m of elevation gain along old paths. The accident also appears in a Paisaje Ilustrado sculpture.

Plan your visit

Before you travel

The ascent is long and mountainous: in fog, frequent here, do not venture out without knowing the way. The Town Council gives information about the walk each year.

Combine with

Molino del Batán and Cerrito del Moro.