Many people don’t realize it, but Spain is among Europe’s best autumn destinations. This is thanks to its vast mountainous forests – especially its beech forests. Each year in October and November, they take on all shades of gold, orange and red, making the hills and woodlands even more beautiful. In fact, these forests are so beautiful, they’ve even gained recognition by UNESCO.
This transboundary property stretches over 12 countries. Since the end of the last Ice Age, European Beech spread from a few isolated refuge areas in the Alps, Carpathians, Dinarides, Mediterranean and Pyrenees over a short period of a few thousand years in a process that is still ongoing. The successful expansion across a whole continent is related to the tree’s adaptability and tolerance of different climatic, geographical and physical conditions.
The beech forests of Montejo (Madrid), Tejera Negra (Castilla – La Mancha), Lizardoa and Aztaparreta (Navarre), and Cuesta Fría and Canal de Asotín (Castilla y León) are part of the “Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe”, declared a collective World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Beech forests are famous for their beauty, especially in autumn. In these vast woodlands, dominated by beech and other deciduous trees, human activity is barely noticeable. In October and November they turn to almost infinite shades of ochre and red, and many local towns and villages organise tours and activities relating to the beech forests at this time of year. If you plan to visit, remember that many of them must be booked in advance.
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