The Montejo Beech Forest is a unique beech forest in the Community of Madrid, located in the municipality of Montejo de la Sierra, within the Biosphere Reserve of the Sierra del Rincón. It is a very small and fragile area, with about 222 hectares according to several institutional and informative sources, and is listed as one of the southernmost beech forests in Europe. It is also listed as a Natural Site of National Interest and, since 2017, a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO. What is visited is not a forest open to free walking, but an itinerary guided by marked trails, designed to observe the contrast between the beech forest, the wet undergrowth and the features of the relief and the shade that allow the presence of beech trees in a relatively dry climate. From the route you can appreciate a mature forest landscape, with a fresh and closed atmosphere, especially attractive in autumn because of the change of color of the leaves and in spring because of the humidity and the greenness of the soil. Its main interest lies in the combination of botanical value, conservation and regulated access: it is a very sensitive enclave with limited capacity and controlled visits. The reserve and the information center are managed from Montejo de la Sierra, in C/ Real, 64. The visit is especially recommended in autumn and spring, when the forest shows its contrasts better and the atmosphere is more pleasant for walking.
