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. Specifically, Asturias is the kingdom of the Cantabrian brown bear, one of the three species of brown bear in Europe. 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 do the Senda del Oso Greenway as a family, and travel along an old mining railway track to meet the bears Paca and Molinera. More areas to see bears? The Saja-Besaya Nature Reserve (Cantabria), the Pyrenees and Hosquillo Park (Cuenca).  

Near bison

How would you like to visit a bison strict nature reserve 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 almost 50 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 around twenty sculptures up to six metres high that began to be carved out of the rock in 1992. You will also be amazed by ”impossible“ and inspiring works of art in Las Batuecas Nature Reserve (Salamanca) or in the Monegros desert (Navarre).

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 Galicia), which, in addition to its various mysteries, is home to the largest laurel forest in Spain, a true botanical rarity. 

Search for elves with the children

Among many other locations, children will be enchanted by the Magical Forest of Fuente del Pino (San Leonardo de Yagüe, Soria), where at the foot of almost every tree they can find ”peculiar gnome houses“; 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 Bureta Enchanted Forest (Zaragoza) and the San Martín de Valdeiglesias Enchanted Forest (very close to the city of Madrid): a botanical garden with more than 300 living sculptures. 

Listen to music and much more

In Spain, various music festivals and other cultural events take place in nature. A very special example is the ”El Bosque Sonoro“ festival in Mozota (Zaragoza). For each concert in this small village of about 130 inhabitants, buying a ticket means planting a tree. The idea is to renaturalise the area, avoid depopulation and support the local cultural fabric.Another interesting proposal is the ”Routes of Sound Landscapes“ in the Irati Forest, forests with dozens of stories in homage to which five podcasts have been prepared (in Spanish and Basque) that you can download through QR signs that you will find along the way. The protagonists of these stories are characters like a pre-historical old shepherd or a Roman stonecutter.

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.