El Castañar de El Tiemblo is a forest of native and very old chestnut trees located in the Natural Reserve of the Iruelas Valley, in the south of the province of Avila. Its main interest is not in a great waterfall or a viewpoint, but in the forest mass itself: a chestnut grove of small size, but very unique in the Central System, with large trees, moist undergrowth and a shady environment that changes greatly with the light and the season. It is part of a protected area and is mentioned in official hiking routes of Castilla y León. From the route you can observe monumental specimens, forest clearings, cliffs and mid-mountain slopes, with the added attraction of some well-known trees by name, such as the specimen called El Abuelo (The Grandfather). The route is especially interesting for those looking for a quiet forest walk, reading the landscape and contrast between the mass of chestnut trees, the ground covered with leaves in autumn and the structure of the mountains in the environment. Its fame has brought a lot of affluence, so it should also be understood as a delicate place, with regulated access in certain periods. Hispania Nostra's own file indicates it as a vulnerable space due to the pressure of visitors and the fragility of the ecosystem. The best time is usually autumn, when the color of the foliage and the falling leaves offer the most photogenic moment; it is also pleasant in spring, with less affluence and a cleaner light.
