Discover El Espinar

El Espinar offers plenty to explore for visitors interested in hiking trails and heritage. Highlights include paths through grazing landscapes and a bird sanctuary, as well as historic buildings, a traditional festival and an exhibition on railway history.

Hiking trails and landscape

The Paseo de la Dehesa starts in El Espinar and passes through the Dehesa Chica, also known as the Dehesa Boyal. Here, livestock graze among downy oaks and ash trees. The trail also crosses a bird sanctuary where the Spanish imperial eagle and the black stork are listed as endangered species. Landscape and nature conservation are both central to this route.

Another destination is the Ruta del Arcipreste de Hita, which leads to Peña del Arcipreste de Hita, a natural monument made up of large granite boulders with a viewpoint. The route also has a literary dimension: during the official hike, a passage from Libro de buen amor is recited at a stop by the Río Moros. The rock formation and the story make this trail appealing to travellers who enjoy exploring connections between nature and literature.

The Garganta del Río Moros route follows the Río Moros to the Embalse del Tejo, also known as Las Tabladillas. This is distinct from La Panera, a recreational area in the municipality of El Espinar beside the Río Moros. El Espinar is also one of the two municipalities that make up the Real Sitio de San Ildefonso-El Espinar Biosphere Reserve. Its paths and trails originated in their use by woodcutters and gabarreros, and are now used by hikers and nature lovers.

Buildings and history

The Iglesia de San Eutropio is protected as a Bien de Interés Cultural in the monument category. Its original church burned down in 1542–1543, and remains were reused in the new building. The organ is also part of the building’s history: Pedro Liborna Echevarría built it between 1709 and 1712. It has more than 1,000 tin pipes. The ruins of the Convento de Santa Isabel are in the centre of El Espinar, next to the church.

The Palacio de los Marqueses de Perales was built in 1728 as a manor house and a building for shearing sheep, and is designated a Bien de Interés Cultural. The Ermita del Cristo del Caloco has even older historical connections: it stands on the remains of Romanesque buildings from the 11th and 12th centuries. In 1955, the ermita was a filming location for Marcelino pan y vino.

The Estación de El Espinar also offers a glimpse into the town’s history: the station building, constructed in 1904, now houses an exhibition of old objects from the railway trade. The exhibition may change. A monument in El Espinar also commemorates the traditional craft of the gabarreros.

Festival and practical information

The Fiesta de los Gabarreros takes place every year on the second weekend of March in the municipality of El Espinar. Since 2003, it has been recognised as a festival of regional tourist interest. The programme includes exhibitions, talks, commemorative events, food competitions, discussions and concerts celebrating traditional forest-related occupations. Individual events may vary from year to year; check the dates and programme for the relevant edition before travelling.

El Espinar’s municipal Oficina de Turismo is located in the town centre at Plaza de la Constitución and provides personalised information about attractions and possible routes. It also organises the “Presume de pueblo” guided tours. Groups can arrange a guided tour of the Iglesia de San Eutropio by request through the Oficina de Turismo; confirm availability before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Los Angeles De San Rafael, Adrada De Pirón, Aldeanueva De La Serrezuela, Villacastín, Migueláñez, Bernuy De Coca, Cedillo De La Torre, Sotosalbos.

For the regional travel overview: Segovia.