Amazing experiences in Spain's forests

See bears up close

Seeing these wild animals in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience. Where can you do it? The Cantabrian mountain range is the ideal destination. In particular, Asturias is the kingdom of the Cantabrian brown bear, a threatened subspecies of this large carnivore. In areas such as Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña e Ibias Nature Reserve and the Somiedo Nature Reserve different local companies organise viewing sessions. A guide-monitor will provide you with binoculars.Also in Asturias, you can enjoy a family visit to the Senda del Oso Greenway and travel along an old mining railway track to see bears kept in semi-wild conditions. More areas to see bears? Saja-Besaya Nature Reserve (Cantabria), the Pyrenees and Hosquillo Park (Cuenca).  

Near bison

Would you like to visit a strict nature reserve of European bison and discover hundreds of fun facts about these large mammals? Bison Bonasus is a non-profit association located in San Cebrián de Mudá (Palencia). It has around 20 hectares where visitors can see these animals in semi-freedom, a hostel, an astronomical observatory and instructors who will make your visit a day to remember. The project's key goal is to recover this historical animal of which in 1927 there was no specimen left walking free around the world. 

Spend the night in a tree

Who has never dreamed of spending a night in a “tree house”? In Spain, there are countless forests with adapted spaces in which ecological and sustainable cabins have been built both in extensive meadows at ground level, and on the trees.These types of establishments allow for sufficient distance between the cabins to improve the experience of sleeping in contact with nature. Chances are the only background sound is birdsong. The Sant Hilari Sacalm forest (Gerona), the Ultzama valley (Navarre), Zeanuri (Vizcaya), Outes (A Coruña), Sierra de Gata (Caceres) and the Sierra Norte in Madrid are just some of the sites where that you can live this experience. 

Discover hidden works of art

Have you heard of land art, an artistic current in which landscape and creation merge? In Spain, you will find several places like this. For example, the Oma Forest (Basque Country), a magical space created by Agustín Ibarrola. Will you be able to find the more than 30 works of art hidden in the tree trunks? Another example: in the Sierra Norte in Madrid, you will find what is known as the “Valley of Dreams”, in which more than 60 sculptors have created more than 100 works of art of exceptional beauty. Not far from Madrid, in Cuenca, you can visit the “Route of the Faces“. This natural site in the Buendía reservoir is made up of some twenty sculptures up to six metres high that Eulogio Reguillo and Jorge Maldonado began to sculpt in 1992. You will also be amazed by ”impossible“ and inspiring works of art in Las Batuecas-Sierra de Francia Nature Reserve (Salamanca) or in the Monegros desert (Huesca), near the town of Alcubierre.

Take ”forest baths“

Have you ever heard this expression? It means reconnecting with the environment, walking among trees, turning off any electronic device and focusing all five senses on nature. Several destinations allow you to enjoy this relaxing activity, but one of the most well-known in Spain is the Cantabrian redwood forest. You will find almost 850 specimens of this species with an average height of 40 metres between the towns of Comillas and Cabezón de la Sal. There is a marked route of almost two kilometres, perfect to discover as a family and disconnect. The silence and the light filtering through the leaves will be your companions. There are also guided tours in the ancient oak and beech forests of Ultzama (Navarre). Try walks in which you can relax your mind and see shades of green, orange and intense red. 

Find out about legends and myths

Forests are also places of legend... Did you know that on the Canary Island of La Gomera there is one of the oldest laurel forests in Europe? You can find it in the Garajonay National Park: an authentic jungle where a guide can tell you about its secrets such as the legend of Gara and Jonay, two star-crossed young people.More places with interesting stories? For example, the town of Zugarramurdi, in Navarre. Legend has it that there were witches in the forest near this village, who celebrated covens. Dare to enter the impressive Zugarramurdi cave (a natural tunnel 120 metres long and 12 metres high) and visit the Museum of Witches.  Another recommendation: The island of Cortegada (in Pontevedra, Galicia), which, in addition to various mysteries, is home to the largest laurel forest in Europe, a true botanical rarity. 

Search for elves with the children

Among many other locations, children will be enchanted by the Bosque Mágico de la Fuente del Pino (San Leonardo de Yagüe, Soria), where at the foot of almost every tree there are “peculiar gnome dwellings”; or in the fairytale village of San Clodio (Lugo), where you will see large ant figures made from recycled materials. You can also enjoy the Burosque Bureta enchanted forest (Zaragoza) or San Martín de Valdeiglesias Enchanted Forest (very close to the city of Madrid): A botanical garden with more than 300 plant sculptures. 

Listen to music and much more

In Spain, various music festivals and other cultural events take place in nature. You can also enjoy the Soundscapes in places like Selva de Irati, forests with dozens of stories in homage to which five podcasts have been prepared in Navarre (in Spanish and Basque) that you can download using the QR signs that you will find along the way. The protagonists of these stories are characters such as an old shepherd from prehistoric times or a Roman stonemason.

Find space and time to enjoy the incredibly beautiful landscapes of Spain's forests, as well as centuries-old customs and ways of life. And always do it with respect, while thinking of future generations.