Hayedo de Tejera Negra, Protected beech forest in Guadalajara Province, Spain.
Hayedo de Tejera Negra is a protected beech forest in Guadalajara Province situated where the Lillas and Zarzas rivers meet. The woodland spreads across 400 hectares with beech trees as the dominant species, mixed with yews, hollies, and birches throughout.
The area was recognized as a natural site of national importance in 1974 and received Natural Park status in 1978. The park boundaries were later expanded in 1987 to protect more surrounding woodland.
The name comes from a small valley where dark yew trees grow, reflecting how locals traditionally named places after natural features they saw. You notice this connection when walking through the valley itself.
Parking spaces must be reserved in advance through the official website since availability is limited. Three marked trails of varying difficulty start from the Interpretation Center, allowing visitors to choose their preferred route.
This forest represents one of the southernmost beech formations in Europe, thriving under conditions that developed after the last glaciation 7,000 years ago. The presence of this northern tree species at such southern latitudes is the result of a rare geological and climate combination.
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