El Montejo: discover Madrid's beech forest

The beech forests of Madrid are home to almost 833 plant species and no fewer than 194 vertebrate families. The oldest beech trees are over five hundred years old and over twenty metres high. Alongside these hundred-year-old beech trees, you'll also find centuries-old oak and ash trees, as well as a host of animals such as roe deer, wild boar, herons, etc. It's thanks to this ecological wealth that the Montejo beech forest has become a valuable research centre for biologists, schools and universities. As you can see, a visit to the Montejo beech forest is an activity not to be missed during your stay in Spain.

Visits to the beech forest are free, but limited in number. They are led by environmental educators.

You can reserve your place for a guided tour directly at the site, on a first-come, first-served basis, at the Information Centre of the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve. Please note, however, that only 50% of the places available can be booked at the ticket office. The remaining 50% must be requested online.

Online booking on theofficial Sierra del Rinconwebsite

The region is full of specialities such as Montejo beans, potatoes, migas de pastor and local meats. Among the traditional dishes of the local gastronomy, try white beans simmered and prepared according to tradition. We recommend restaurants such as the typical Casa Aldaba in La Hiruela, the Posada de Horcajuelo restaurant in the town of Horcajuelo de la Sierra, the grill El Rincón de Lalo or the Los Naranjos restaurant in Montejo de la Sierra.

On the official Montejo beech forest [tourism website]<https://www.esmadrid.com/en/hetraie-montejo-sierra-rincon?utm_source=easyvoyage), you'll find a number of hiking routes through the mountains of Madrid. You can choose between Madrid's twenty green footpaths or the GR303 route, which takes you along the footpaths and through the villages of La Hiruela, Montejo de la Sierra, Horcajuelo de la Sierra, Prádenandel Rincón and Puebla de la Sierra.

📍 Location: it's here on Google Maps

Price: free access.

🚌 Getting there: from the municipality of Montejo de la Sierra, take the M-139 road, kilometre 8, towards El Cardoso (there is currently no public transport to reach the beech forest).

☀️ Best time of year: although the beech forest can be visited all year round, autumn is our preferred season. The shimmering colours and autumnal light offer magnificent scenery that can't be found in spring or summer.

👉Website