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Refugio Zabala, Spain: what it is and when to go

Refugio Zabala is a mountain refuge in Sierra de Guadarrama in Spain (Trescasas/Palazuelos de Eresma), at 2,075 m above sea level. Interests: Mountains and Hiking. The best time to visit is September, a short season because of the altitude. In June there are 14 h 55 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 05. It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Spain: one to enjoy at a calmer pace. Here is what it is, where it lies, when to come, how to get there and what else is nearby to turn it into a trip.

Reviewed on 5 min read

In a nutshell

What it is
Mountain refuge in Sierra de Guadarrama · Mountains, Hiking
Where
Spain · 28741, Rascafría
Elevation
2,075 m
Best time
September.
Nearest airport
MAD Madrid, 50 km as the crow flies
Price
Gratis
Beds
4
Run by
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Coordinates
40.83713, -3.95849

What it is and where

Refugio Zabala is a mountain refuge in Sierra de Guadarrama in Spain (Trescasas/Palazuelos de Eresma), at 2,075 m above sea level. It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Spain: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

El refugio Zabala es un refugio de montaña no guardado situado en el circo de Peñalara, en la zona central de la Sierra de Guadarrama. La mitad de la construcción se ocupa por una pequeña estación meteorológica.

It is in Trescasas/Palazuelos de Eresma, where this site lists 90 more places to see, 11 km from the centre.

Its coordinates are 40.83713, -3.95849; the nearest main airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD, Madrid), 50 km as the crow flies. How to get around Spain (train, car, bus) is covered in its country guide.

Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)

Beds
4
Run by
Universidad Complutense de Madrid

It is one of the Mountains and Hiking places in Spain. In Kokai it is already on your trip map next to the places you save yourself, and it goes into a day's plan with one tap.

When to go

The best time to visit Refugio Zabala is September, and the season is short because it sits at 2,075 m: above 1,800 m there is snow until June and it returns in October.

  1. JanBetter not9:23
  2. FebBetter not10:26
  3. MarBetter not11:40
  4. AprBetter not13:06
  5. MayBetter not14:17
  6. JunPossible14:55
  7. JulPossible14:39
  8. AugPossible13:38
  9. SepBest time12:15
  10. OctPossible10:53
  11. NovBetter not9:40
  12. DecBetter not9:05

Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight

In June there are 14 h 55 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 05. Daylight hours are calculated from the site's latitude for the 15th of each month; when planning a full day on foot they matter as much as the weather.

What you come forBest timePossible
MountainsSeptemberJune to August and October
HikingSeptemberJune to August and October

It is not the same trip whatever you come for: Refugio Zabala has a different season depending on what you want to do here, and Kokai puts it in the right month for you.

When to go to Spain in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.

Before you go to Spain

To enter Spain there are 6 things to sort out before you leave, starting with “Valid ID card or passport”: they are all, with their deadlines, in the Spain checklist. Currency: Euro (EUR); plugs: Type C and F · 230 V · 50 Hz; emergencies: 112.

In Kokai you tick off the checklist inside your trip, and each item reminds you when it is time to do it.

What is nearby

Distances are as the crow flies. Everything else is in the Spain guide.

More in Spain: Mountains

Every Spain place under Mountains, each with its season, is on its page.

Frequently asked questions

What is Refugio Zabala?

It is a mountain refuge in Sierra de Guadarrama in Spain. It has articles in 3 Wikipedias, so it is not one of the busiest places in Spain: one to enjoy at a calmer pace.

When is the best time to visit Refugio Zabala?

September, and it is worth checking carefully: at 2,075 m the season is shorter than lower down. In June there are 14 h 55 of daylight, and in December, 9 h 05.

How do you get to Refugio Zabala?

The nearest main airport is Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport (MAD), 50 km as the crow flies. From there, directions opens the route on the map, and how to get around Spain is explained in its country guide.

How do I add it to my trip?

With one tap. In Kokai it is already on the Spain map, next to the places you save yourself: add it to a day's plan, give it a time and, if you like, get a reminder when you pass nearby.

What else is around here?

Nearby you have Circuito Peñalara, Laguna de los Pájaros de Peñalara, Puerto de Cotos - La Granja. The rest is in the Spain guide.

Keep reading

Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, and from Wikidata, CC0. More about Refugio Zabala on Wikipedia. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.