Eclipse August 12, 2026 · Madrid / Segovia, Spain · Ranked
The 5 best terrain-verified spots to watch the 2026 eclipse in Sierra de Guadarrama
3 of 5 checked viewpoints have a verified-clear terrain view of the low eclipsed sun. Ranked by ray-cast clearance, totality duration and 20-year clear-sky odds.
Every viewpoint below was checked with Heliora’s terrain engine: a 360° ray-cast of real elevation data from its exact coordinate, compared against the sun’s position through the eclipse. The ranking puts verified-clear spots first (by clearance margin), then totality duration and historical clear-sky odds.
Each verdict comes from ray-casting 360° from the exact coordinate over Mapbox Terrain-RGB elevation data (30 km range) — the same engine as Heliora’s live 3D sky view. Clearance margins under ~1° are flagged marginal: elevation pixels are ~75 m wide and can miss sharp ridge lines, and trees and buildings are not included. Clear-sky odds are 20-year ERA5 climatology (2005–2024, ±3 days around Aug 12, cloud cover ≤20% at the local peak hour) — historical odds, not a forecast.
The ranking
La Granja de San Ildefonso Clear view
40.900°N, -4.006°W
The eclipsed sun clears the terrain by 7.7° at the critical moment (maximum eclipse 20:31 CEST). Terrain hides the sun at 21:19 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:23. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 41% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →Peñalara Clear view
40.850°N, -3.957°W
The eclipsed sun clears the terrain by 7.6° at the critical moment (maximum eclipse 20:31 CEST). Terrain hides the sun at 21:18 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:23. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 46% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →Rascafría Blocked by terrain
40.905°N, -3.878°W
The terrain rises 2.3° above the sun — the eclipse is hidden behind the ridge from this spot. Terrain hides the sun at 20:21 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:23. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 41% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →Cercedilla Blocked by terrain
40.741°N, -4.056°W
The terrain rises 3.8° above the sun — the eclipse is hidden behind the ridge from this spot. Terrain hides the sun at 20:15 CEST, before the partial phase ends at 21:24. Historical clear-sky odds at peak hour: 46% (20 years of ERA5 data).
See it in 3D at this exact spot →Drop a pin anywhere — Heliora computes the terrain horizon from that exact point and shows whether the eclipsed sun clears it.