Towns and villages
Montejo de la Sierra: the Beech Forest and the life of a mountain village
Springs, cattle trails and stone houses in the Sierra del Rincón, with a protected forest whose visit is organized with a pass and guide.
Automatically translated from Spanish. Leer original en español
Montejo de la Sierra stretches across a hillside of the Sierra del Rincón, nestled among meadows, orchards, and mountains. Its stone houses, narrow streets, and fountains reveal a village whose daily life has been deeply intertwined with water and agriculture. It also serves as an information point for learning about the Biosphere Reserve and organizing visits to the surrounding area.
Livestock farming, transhumance routes, and flax cultivation left their mark on the buildings and land use. The wooden flax-wreathing platforms that are still preserved are reminders of the work of separating the flax fiber. A significant date is 1460, when the locals acquired El Chaparral, the hill where the current Montejo Beech Forest is located: the village's relationship with this forest predates its tourist appeal by centuries.
The protection of the Beech Forest as a Natural Site of National Interest in 1974 and its inclusion in 2017 in the World Heritage Site dedicated to European beech forests mark another stage in its history. A visit to the forest complements a stroll through the town center, where the Church of San Pedro, the fountains, and the hermitages help to understand a heritage that extends far beyond the beech trees.
What to see and what to do
The helmet and its sources
Calle Real serves as a reference point for exploring the squares and alleyways. Look for the Fuente de los Tres Caños (Fountain of the Three Spouts) and the Fuente del Arriero (Muleteer's Fountain), located in a narrow street next to the church. The stone basins and old grinding stones connect the public spaces with rural life. Also, take note of the horse-shoeing frame and the oven that juts out from the facade of a house, without trespassing on private property.
Church of Saint Peter in the Chair
It's located in the town center, opposite the Town Hall. Inside, the Baroque altarpiece and the wooden ceiling of the main chapel are particularly noteworthy. Please confirm when it's open to visit.
The hermitages
The Hermitage of La Soledad is part of the town's heritage. The Hermitage of Nuestra Señora de Nazaret is located outside the town center and is the destination of the local pilgrimage. The surrounding area can be explored via the path that connects both hermitages.
The Montejo Beech Forest
The forest is located away from the town center, next to the Jarama River. Guided tours are free, but space is limited. You need to pick up your pass at the Biosphere Reserve Information Center before heading to the beech forest. Arrange this and your transportation as part of your visit.
Plan for a day or a weekend
If you have a place available for the Beech Forest, plan your day around your assigned time. First, go to the Information Center to pick up your pass within the established deadline, and then head to the forest entrance. Allow time for the guided tour and for returning to the village; book lunch at a time that works for you.
Complete your day with a stroll around the fountains, the plaza, and the exterior of San Pedro. There's no need to embark on another long hike to discover Montejo's heritage.
Without a pass for the Beech Forest, you can spend the morning exploring the town center and choosing a path through the orchards, past the hermitages, or across the meadow. Access to the forest is regulated: do not attempt to enter via an alternative route.
For a weekend getaway, dedicate one day to Montejo and another to Horcajuelo de la Sierra or Prádena del Rincón. Decide on your transportation options based on your accommodation and available connections. If traveling by bus, check each connection and the return journey before finalizing your activities.
Where to eat
Mesón El Hayedo is located at Calle del Turco, 13. Telephone: 91 869 70 23. It is a restaurant option within the village; confirm opening hours and make a reservation if your meal depends on a forest visit time slot.
Monte del Tejo, located at Calle Pozo, 23-25, offers Mediterranean cuisine featuring local produce, meats, and traditional dishes such as judiones (large white beans). Telephone: 616 688 355. See the menu and seasonal specials.
The municipal list also includes the La Abuela Pili Pastry Shop and Café, with phone numbers 659 366 572 and 679 729 931, and the El Rincón de Lalo Grill, at 672 472 281. Check the specific service for the day of your visit.
Large white beans, migas (a breadcrumb dish), and traditional pastries are all part of the local cuisine. Their availability depends on the establishment; please inquire when booking and inform them of any allergies or dietary requirements.
Routes and nature
The Beech Forest
Beech and oak trees coexist in this forest, along the upper reaches of the Jarama River. The trails are part of the environmental education program and require an access pass. Follow the educational team and stay on the assigned route. The choice of trail should be based on available spaces and the fitness levels of the participants.
Old road to Horcajuelo and the orchards
The documented 3.5-kilometer circular route winds through orchards and hay meadows along the old road between the two villages. The circuit returns to Montejo; reaching the village of Horcajuelo requires taking a detour and extending the route.
From the Hermitage of Solitude to that of Nazareth
The published 6-kilometer route connects religious sites with meadows and livestock trails. From the area around Nazareth, you can see the town and the mountains. Check the route and the map you plan to use before setting out.
Through the communal pasture
The published 5-kilometer route allows visitors to explore a landscape of ash trees, Pyrenean oaks, and pastures, featuring a shepherd's hut related to livestock farming. The dehesa (pastureland) maintains this traditional use: it respects the animals, gates, and access points.
The distances correspond to the routes in the trail brochure; other options may vary. Check the current conditions, keep the route in mind, and adjust the walk to the weather and your experience level. Visits to the Beech Forest have their own rules: pets are not allowed, except in cases justified by the regulations, nor is the collection of plants, fungi, or minerals.
How to get there and park
From Madrid, the A-1 motorway provides access to the area around Buitrago del Lozoya. The usual route continues along the M-137, passing through Gandullas and Prádena del Rincón to Montejo. Check road conditions in case of snow or ice.
To visit the Beech Forest, first go to Calle Real, 64, where the Information Center is located. The forest is about 8 kilometers from the center; pick up your pass and follow the signs to the entrance on the road towards the El Cardoso pass. The bus to the village does not include transport to the Beech Forest.
By public transport, you can connect line 191 from Plaza de Castilla to Buitrago with line 191C to Montejo. Line 911 also passes through Montejo on weekdays; its weekend and holiday service is listed in the official timetable as on-demand transport SD1. Check timetables, reservations, and any disruptions. Operator's telephone number: +34 91 177 99 51. Confirm your return trip and connections before starting your excursion.
Park in designated areas and explore the town center on foot. Respect all signs, property lines, and service entrances. Do not park on a shoulder or road simply because other vehicles are doing so.
Upcoming parties and plans
The patron saint festivities in September are dedicated to Our Lady of Nazareth. The program for each year determines the musical events, gatherings, and religious ceremonies; past programs cannot be used to set future dates.
The Nazareth pilgrimage traditionally takes place at the end of May. The villagers carry the image from the town to the hermitage and celebrate a day of fellowship. The exact date is confirmed in the annual announcement.
The Mayos festival commemorates the placement of a large tree in the town square at the beginning of May and the customs of the village's young people. The traditional calendar also includes the hornazo (a type of savory pie) and the burning of Judas around Easter, as well as the heifer at Carnival. These references describe local customs, not a confirmed program for the next edition.
The Reserve's environmental education activities can complement your visit. Check the current schedule, target audience, and registration requirements before making arrangements for an activity.
Where to sleep
Alojamientos El Horno offers four independent apartments at Avenida de Madrid, 37. The property offers different capacities and lists the phone number 690 869 898. Please check the specific unit and its conditions before booking.
El Hayuco de Montejo offers accommodations in a stone and wood building and a shared garden. Their current contact number is 613 010 374 and their email address is [email address missing][email protected].
The municipal tourism offer also includes Hotel Rural Monte del Tejo, with telephone numbers 91 869 74 45 and 616 688 355. Confirm the type of accommodation, dates and availability directly.
Book your accommodation and the Beech Forest separately. Staying at Montejo does not grant access to the forest. Arrange arrival times, cancellation policies, and any access requirements or conditions for traveling with pets before finalizing your booking.
Practical information
The City Council can be reached at 91 869 70 08 and [email protected] inquiries about the Beech Forest and the routes of the Reserve, go to the Information Centre at Calle Real, 64; telephone: 91 869 70 58.
The Beech Forest visit system combines advance booking by lottery with in-person collection of day passes, subject to availability. Online bookings must be confirmed by collecting the pass at the visitor center. Generally, this requires collecting your pass at least one hour in advance; the 10:00 AM slot must be collected at 9:30 AM, and afternoon slots before 2:30 PM. Please check the instructions associated with your booking.
The Beech Forest is closed on Mondays or the first working day of the week, in addition to any specific closures indicated on the calendar. Do not confuse the opening hours of the Information Center with those of the forest.
Within the protected area, there are restrictions on pets, food, drinks, tripod photography, and other activities. Please check the rules before visiting and inform the center of any accessibility needs so we can choose a suitable route. On the trails outside the protected area, bring water, a map, and appropriate footwear, respect private properties, and avoid leaving any litter.