seven Spanish forests to capture an autumn full of colors

Autumn is the time of year when nature seems to have its own color palette. The intense greens of summer give way to warm tones of yellows, oranges, reds and browns, creating landscapes worthy of any postcard. A time when the forests call us to walk, to enter them and take the opportunity to breathe fresh air after the summer heat.

These trees which combine different ocher tones are an attraction for those who love nature, but even more for photography enthusiasts. It is undoubtedly the best time of the year to go out into the countryside with a camera in hand, because every leaf that falls, every ray of light that filters through the branches, can be the key to getting the ‘perfect snapshot.

Deciduous forests, made up mainly of beech, oak and chestnut trees, are the main protagonists of this transformation. Its leaves, which in summer protected us from the sun with their dense shade, now fall in cascades, creating a natural carpet on the ground on which we enjoy sliding our feet. The morning mists that rise with the freshness of autumn, the golden afternoon lights that illuminate the trunks and the small streams that begin to come back to life with the first rains, make these places ideal destinations for those who want to immortalize the essence of autumn. with their cameras.

Capturing fall in an instant

We have the landscape before us, but photographing in this environment also has its challenges. Light conditions change quickly and dense vegetation can often cause you to find yourself in quite dark areas. Therefore, a good tripod is essential for getting sharp captures without having to increase the ISO too much and sacrifice quality. Additionally, it will allow you to create movement in rivers and waterfalls if you slow down enough.

In the forest, it is advisable to take a versatile lens, such as a wide angle to capture the scale of the landscape, but also a telephoto lens which allows you to play with details, such as leaves hanging from a branch or dew drops on a tree. fern. Another important tip is to get up early or take advantage of the late afternoon, when the light is softer and warmer, ideal for creating contrasts and shadows that highlight the natural beauty of the forest .

Seven forests to enjoy photography

There are many forests in Spain, but there are always some that are particularly suitable if we want to enjoy the autumn colors. We’ve selected seven particularly beautiful environments to enjoy with the camera in autumn, places that transform to welcome winter and are the most magical time of the year.

The Irati Forest is at the top of the list because it will always have every reason to be considered one of the most beautiful forests in Spain. Especially in autumn, because it is the second largest and best preserved beech and fir forest in Europe. As winter approaches, this vast forest becomes an explosion of red and gold colors, a perfect location for photographers looking to capture the fall transformation in all its magnitude.

It is important to plan your visit, since the Irati Forest is a protected area. There are two access points: from Orbaizeta, in the Aezkoa Valley, and from Ochagavía, in the Salazar Valley. In both cases it is possible to acquire maps with marked routes and the best time to visit is at the end of October, when the autumn colors are at their peak of splendor. Also, don’t forget to include in your photos the small streams that run through the forest and more open areas, taking advantage of the Irabia reservoir to get perfect reflections.

Just an hour and a half from Madrid, Hayedo de Montejo offers a spectacular spot for photographers who don’t want to stray too far from the capital. This small but charming forest, part of the Sierra del Rincón, is one of the southernmost beech forests in Europe. In autumn, the leaves of the beech trees acquire golden tones that contrast with the ground covered with dead leaves, creating perfect scenes for landscape photography.

Due to its fragility and the large influx of visitors, it is only possible to see it by taking a guided tour of limited capacity. You can reserve your pass in advance or choose to collect it in person at the Sierra del Rincón Biosphere Reserve Resource and Information Center in Montejo de la Sierra. If you can, the best times to photograph this location are early morning or late afternoon, to get the best light of the day.

The Muniellos forest is one of the natural jewels of Asturias and is considered the largest oak forest in Spain and one of the best preserved in Europe. In autumn, its trees are tinted with every imaginable ochre, offering a visual spectacle that impresses. Its density and wild character make it ideal for photographers looking to capture nature in its purest form. In addition, the river that runs through it adds an additional component of beauty and serenity to the photos.

Visiting Muniellos is an exclusive experience, since access is limited to 20 people per day, which guarantees a calm and environmentally friendly visit. To take advantage of this protected space, it is advisable to apply for a permit as soon as possible, as these sell out quickly. The combination of century-old oak trees with local fauna, where you can find brown bear, wild boar, roe deer, wolf and the almost extinct capercaillie, makes Muniellos a paradise for nature photographers.

The Fragas do Eume are a unique destination in Galicia, where the lush vegetation and characteristic greenery of the region combine with the autumnal tones of oaks, chestnuts and ash trees. It is considered one of the best preserved Atlantic riverine forests in Europe and the Eume River, in its path, completes a perfect landscape for capturing the beauty of nature in its purest form.

Through the forest there are eight hiking routes of varying length and difficulty. The most famous is the one followed by Eume himself, known as the Camiño do Encomendeiros, and which ends at the Caaveiro Monastery. In autumn, dead leaves cover the paths and the humidity of the place adds a special touch to each photo, with moss and ferns shining under the timid rays of the sun. The variety of compositions is wide, with charming paths and bridges that span the waters of the river. In addition, it is accessible without special authorization.

In the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara is the Tejera Negra Hayedo, a magical place at the northern end of Castilla-La Mancha, and which boasts of being the southernmost beech forest in Europe. As you can imagine, in the fall it transforms into a storybook setting, where the golden and reddish leaves create an impressive visual spectacle.

There are two circular routes that we can travel on foot: the Senda de Carretas, of medium-low difficulty and which starts from the Casarejo parking lot; and the Senda del Robledal, of great difficulty due to its long route and which starts from the Visitor Center parking lot. Both perfect for exploring with camera in hand in search of colors, lights and shadows. As this is a protected natural area with high visitor numbers in autumn, it is necessary to book the visit as far in advance as possible.

Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park is known for its impressive mountain landscapes, but in autumn its forests are also full of magic. All its valleys are a spectacle of colors, but if we focus on the Ordesa Valley we can obtain some of the most beautiful photographs of all the Huesca Pyrenees. Just walk among the beech trees that populate the lower areas of the valley to achieve a high contrast between the warm tones of the leaves and the cold gray of the rocks that surround everything.

For photographers, the Ordesa Forest is a mine of opportunities. The trails that cross the park provide access to viewpoints from where panoramic views of the valley can be captured, but it is also possible to get lost in the most intimate corners of the forest, where the water rivers and waterfalls add dynamism to the landscape. photographs. Between October and November, she dresses in autumn so you can discover her with your camera.

La Fageda d’en Jordà, in the Garrotxa region, is a very special beech forest. It is located in a volcanic area, on the lava flow of the neighboring Croscat volcano, which gave rise to an irregular relief with gentle undulations called tossols. This unique geological environment, combined with the density of the beech forest, creates a landscape that seems straight out of a story, especially in autumn.

In addition to being beautiful, the Fageda d’en Jordà is an accessible and easy to walk place, with several marked routes of low difficulty, making it an ideal destination for both photographers and walkers. No special permit is required to visit it, but it is recommended to go during the week or early or late in the day, this way you will avoid meeting people you don’t want in your photos, but with the best light of the day. .