To the north of the autonomous region of Madrid, almost on the border with the province of Guadalajara in Castilla-La Mancha,we find a municipality which is scarcely-populated yet harbours one of the protected natural areas of the region within its boundary. Since 1974, El Hayedo de Montejo de la Sierra, or more simply, El Hayedo de Montejo (the beech grove of Montejo) has been classified as a natural spot of national interest and is one of the most southern examples of a beech grove on the Iberian peninsula and even in Europe.
The queen beech
Fagus sylvatica
In spite of the fact that it only occupies 250 hectares, this famous beech grove is one of the places which is most frequently visited by nature lovers. Consequently, a public use plan has had to be created which entails a necessary and inevitable control of the people who go to Montejo to visit the spot.We would like to advise any interested readers to book their visits beforehand.
The Fagus sylvatica, the commonest beech tree in Europe, has taken over the area to advise us that there is no other place in the whole region of Madrid where we can admire it. Actually, it would be fairer to say that rather than taking over the territory, the Fagus sylvatica shares it with the oak tree.
Autumn in the beech grove
Montejo de la Sierra
A highly-recommended time of the year to visit the town of Montejo de la Sierra is in the autumn. From late October until early December, the reddish, or rather maroon, shades of the beech tree leaves invade this natural space.
The murmur of a flowing river nearby, when we are on its paths, cannot deceive us. It is the Jarama river, which has just been born in the foothills of Somosierra.
