Autumn is a good time to make that getaway that we have pending to some corner of Spain. The temperatures are milder and the landscapes acquire multiple tones, becoming a natural spectacle worth seeing and enjoying. In addition, it is not the high holiday season so traveling is cheaper and there are no crowds in the most touristy places.
If you are thinking of taking advantage of a bridge to embark on a new adventure, below we propose 4 very interesting destinations to visit in autumn.
Irati Forest
The Irati Forest is located in the Eastern Pyrenees of Navarre. It is the second largest beech forest in Europe after the German Black Forest and it forms an immense green patch of about 17.000 hectares that remains practically intact with the passage of time and human action.
If time permits, this is the perfect place to spend a country day in the company of the family as you can do outdoor activities such as hiking, photography or contemplation of the flora and fauna that live in the beech forest (foxes, wild boars , roe deer and robins among many others). During the autumn season, the Irati Forest becomes a spectacle of color as a good part of its trees shed their leaves and begin to acquire those beautiful ocher, yellow and reddish tones that characterize this time of year so much.
Lindes Hayedo
Located in the Natural Park of Las Ubiñas-La Mesa de Asturias, Hayedo de Lindes is one of the largest in northern Spain, where hundreds of hikers come every autumn to enjoy nature and go hiking.
In fact, you can take two routes of different difficulty to get to know the Hayedo de Lindes. The first is the most recommended for those hikers who are not used to going into the woods, so it does not have too much difficulty. It is circular so it is difficult to get lost being the starting point the town of Lindes, in the council of Quirós.
The tour lasts between four and five hours, so it is advisable to wear comfortable clothes and shoes. It is also advisable to bring some food and water for the road.
The second route leads to the Ports of Agüería. A valley of shepherds surrounded by the high peaks of the Peña Ubiña massif that crosses the La Foz Grande gorge. With routes marked to facilitate the walk, there is no escape that is more worthwhile this autumn than Asturias.
Enchanted City of Cuenca
Located near Valdecabras, in the municipal area of Cuenca, within a private estate which can be accessed with a payment of 3 euros, we find the Enchanted City of Cuenca, a natural area of calcareous rock formations located at an altitude of 1.5000 meters.
The erosion caused by the action of water, wind and ice has made possible this karst phenomenon in uneven shapes that have resulted in a unique and surprising sample of art molded by nature itself.
The Enchanted City of Cuenca was declared a Natural Site of National Interest in 1929. The visit to this place consists of a circular route of three kilometers that can be completed in an hour and a half. The route does not have too many complications as turquoise beacons indicate the way out and similar pink ones indicate the way back. However, on weekends and holidays, guided tours are organized to learn more about the curiosities of the Enchanted City of Cuenca.
Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park
Declared in 1945 as a National Picturesque Site, it is part of the network of protected areas of Aragon. It is located in Zaragoza and in 2010 it was named a Set of Cultural Interest in the Historic Garden category.
The Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park is a perfect place to visit during an excursion in autumn as it surprises the visitor with its waterfalls, caves and landscapes. Water takes on a special role in this space. The current of the Piedra River has shaped the rock into lakes, caves and waterfalls.
Here you can see beautiful places such as the Peña del Diablo, the Lago del Espejo or the spectacular Cola de Caballo waterfall, which hides an impressive natural grotto called the Iris Grotto. In addition, numerous waterfalls such as the Chorreaderos, the Trinidad waterfall, Diana's bath, the Caprichosa waterfall, the Iris waterfall, the Lake of the Ducks or the Vergel will leave tourists speechless.
During the excursion to the Monasterio de Piedra Natural Park, it is worth visiting the Cistercian monastery dedicated to Santa María de la Blanca, which was listed as a National Monument in 1983 and is located next to the entrance to the park.