Sierra Norte de Madrid offers seasonal nature and cultural sites

The Sierra Norte region of Madrid offers diverse natural and cultural attractions for visitors. In Montejo de la Sierra, the beech forest (Hayedo de Montejo) prepares for its seasonal transformation. Spanning 250 hectares on the slopes of the Sierra de Ayllón, the forest features a unique microclimate that has preserved beech trees since post-glacial periods. The landscape reaches its peak between mid-October and mid-November as leaves change from green to yellow, ochre, and brown. Access to this site, which was declared a Natural Site of National Interest in 1974 and is part of a UNESCO-recognized region, is managed through free guided tours via the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve Information Center.

Nearby, Alameda del Valle serves as a central point in the Sierra Norte. Notable landmarks include the 16th-century Church of Santa Marina Virgen y Mártir, which features a baroque altarpiece and wooden ceilings. The area also features the Pinilla Reservoir, located near the town, which offers views of the Guadarrama peaks and the Cuerda Larga.