{"id":76371,"date":"2023-12-05T14:04:14","date_gmt":"2023-12-05T13:04:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=76371"},"modified":"2026-10-01T00:39:50","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T22:39:50","slug":"enchanted-forest-of-granada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/enchanted-forest-of-granada\/","title":{"rendered":"The Enchanted Forest of Granada"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"product\"><div class=\"product\">\n<p>The <strong>Enchanted Forest of Granada<\/strong> is the common name for the <strong>Dehesa del Camarate<\/strong>, in the municipality of <strong>Lugros<\/strong>, on the north face of the Sierra Nevada.<\/p>\n<p>It is <strong>the best-preserved deciduous forest in Andalusia<\/strong>. And first and foremost, what you absolutely must know.<\/p>\n\n<h2>\u26a0\ufe0f In autumn, you need to book in advance<\/h2>\n<p><strong>This is the first thing, because without it you can\u2019t get in.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>From 12 October to 8 December<\/strong>, the <strong>Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays<\/strong>, access is restricted to <strong>575 people a day<\/strong> and it is necessary <strong>advance booking<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Booking is free of charge<\/strong> and it is done online, via the Andalusian Regional Government\u2019s quota system.<\/li>\n<li><strong>You must book one place per person<\/strong>, not one per group.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Running out<\/strong>: This is the busiest time of the year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>And why the quota exists:<\/strong> In the autumn of 2019, the following were recorded: <strong>10,000 visits in a single weekend<\/strong> and more than 17,000 over the whole season. The area couldn\u2019t cope.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Outside that window<\/strong> \u2014on weekdays, or the rest of the year\u2014 <strong>No booking required<\/strong> and you can drive right up to the start of the footpath.<\/p>\n\n<h2>\ud83d\ude90 And during peak season, the shuttle bus is compulsory<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Another point that\u2019s been miscounted.<\/strong> During those weekends <strong>no access by car<\/strong> to the car park at the Alhama River ford.<\/p>\n<p><strong>So here\u2019s how it works:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>You leave the car at the <strong>Era Car Park<\/strong>, in the town centre of Lugros.<\/li>\n<li>That\u2019s where the <strong>shuttle<\/strong> to the start of the footpath, a walk of about <strong>20 minutes<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>It is a paid service<\/strong> \u2014a few euros each way\u2014 and it is advisable to check fares and timetables when booking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Motor vehicles are prohibited from passing through<\/strong> starting from the Eras del Marchalejo area.<\/p>\n\n<h2>What is the Dehesa del Camarate?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"451\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bosque-encantado-de-granada-esta-en-lugros.jpg\" alt=\"Hiking through Granada\u2019s Enchanted Forest, in Lugros\" class=\"wp-image-76367\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bosque-encantado-de-granada-esta-en-lugros.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bosque-encantado-de-granada-esta-en-lugros-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bosque-encantado-de-granada-esta-en-lugros-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bosque-encantado-de-granada-esta-en-lugros-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/bosque-encantado-de-granada-esta-en-lugros-18x10.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The Dehesa del Camarate, on the north face of the Sierra Nevada.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>A deciduous forest in the very south of the peninsula<\/strong>, which is unusual: here, pine and holm-oak woods are the norm.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What\u2019s inside:<\/strong> Melojo oaks, maples, rowans, gall oaks, barberries, willows and chestnut trees. <strong>And thousand-year-old yew trees<\/strong>, which are the jewel in the crown of the collection.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It has been preserved in this way for a reason:<\/strong> It has seen very little human intervention over the centuries. The abundance of water and its north-facing aspect have done the rest.<\/p>\n<p><strong>It is designated as a reserve area<\/strong> within the Sierra Nevada Natural Area, and this has a practical consequence: <strong>You must not leave the forest track<\/strong>. No shortcuts or venturing into the woods.<\/p>\n\n<h2>The route: 10 kilometres and 450 metres of elevation gain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Bosque-encantado-Lugros-2-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Century-old trees in the Dehesa del Camarate in autumn\" class=\"wp-image-76368\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Bosque-encantado-Lugros-2-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Bosque-encantado-Lugros-2-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Bosque-encantado-Lugros-2-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Bosque-encantado-Lugros-2-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Bosque-encantado-Lugros-2-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Bosque-encantado-Lugros-2-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/Bosque-encantado-Lugros-2.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The actual figures<\/strong>, because inflated figures are being circulated:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>10 kilometres there and back<\/strong>, not thirteen and a half.<\/li>\n<li><strong>450 metres of elevation gain.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Between four and a half and five hours<\/strong> the whole; <strong>about two and a half hours one way<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>All along the forest track<\/strong>, very easy to follow. A steady climb but with no technical sections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Moderate difficulty due to the distance and the elevation gain<\/strong>, not because of the technique. It\u2019s manageable with an average level of fitness, but it\u2019s no walk in the park.<\/p>\n<p><strong>What to bring:<\/strong> hiking boots, <strong>plenty of water<\/strong>, a cap and sun protection. And something warm to wear, as it\u2019s a mountain hike.<\/p>\n\n<h2>\ud83c\udf42 When to go<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Autumn is the season, by far.<\/strong> Among <strong>October and November<\/strong> The forest changes colour and the oaks, maples and rowans paint the valley in shades of ochre, gold and red. This is what people call \u00abla oto\u00f1ada\u00bb and it is what gives the place its name.<\/p>\n<p><strong>That is precisely why the quota exists<\/strong>, so if you\u2019re going on those dates, book in advance.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The other stations:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Spring:<\/strong> Green, streams with water and no access restrictions. The best option.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Summer:<\/strong> It\u2019s passable, but you\u2019ve got to set off early. It gets busy at midday.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Winter:<\/strong> there may be <strong>ice or snow<\/strong> and the slopes get trickier. Check the conditions beforehand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n<h2>How to get there<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Just under an hour from the city of Granada.<\/strong> From M\u00e1laga, about two.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>By the <strong>A-92<\/strong>, exit <strong>288 towards Purullena<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li>Then the <strong>GR-4105<\/strong> to <strong>Lugros<\/strong>, passing through Purullena, Beas de Guadix and Pol\u00edcar.<\/li>\n<li><strong>During the quota season:<\/strong> straight to the <strong>Era Car Park<\/strong>, in the village.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Off-season:<\/strong> One and a half kilometres before Lugros, next to a water tank, the road branches off to the right <strong>Ca\u00f1ada Real de los Potros<\/strong>, a dirt track about 6 km long leading to the start of the footpath.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Notice:<\/strong> that detour <strong>it is not signposted<\/strong>. Make sure you\u2019ve downloaded the location onto your mobile before you set off, as there\u2019s no signal up there.<\/p>\n\n<h2>On the \u00ablegend\u00bb<\/h2>\n<p><strong>It\u2019s best to be honest about this.<\/strong> There are tales of spirits dancing on full-moon nights, mysterious melodies and lights amongst the trees. <strong>There is no evidence that they are a documented local tradition<\/strong>: these are recent additions to the area\u2019s tourist attractions.<\/p>\n<p><strong>And they aren\u2019t necessary.<\/strong> The name comes from something real and verifiable: <strong>a forest of ancient yew trees and hundred-year-old oaks<\/strong>, with frequent fog and an unusual silence, in a mountain range where a forest like this ought not to exist.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re into legends with fountains, we\u2019ve got <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/legends-of-the-alhambra\/\">The Legends of the Alhambra<\/a>, which are in fact documented.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Pair it with pomegranate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"577\" src=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/que-ver-en-granada-1024x577.jpg\" alt=\"Views of Granada with the Alhambra and the Sierra Nevada in the background\" class=\"wp-image-76369\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/que-ver-en-granada-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/que-ver-en-granada-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/que-ver-en-granada-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/que-ver-en-granada-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/que-ver-en-granada-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/que-ver-en-granada-18x10.jpg 18w, https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/que-ver-en-granada.jpg 1640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Lugros is an hour\u2019s drive from the capital, so <strong>they can\u2019t be done properly on the same day<\/strong>: the route takes a whole day.<\/p>\n<p>If you have two days, spend one in the forest and the other in the city: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/what-to-see-in-granada\/\">What to see in Granada<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/how-to-visit-the-alhambra-of-granada\/\">How to visit the Alhambra<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/where-to-eat-in-granada-the-best-places-of-tapas\/\">where to eat<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>The city, a day\u2019s trip from M\u00e1laga<\/h2>\n<p>We are a local tour operator based in M\u00e1laga with over 50 years\u2019 experience organising trips around Andalusia. <strong>The forest is a place for independent hiking<\/strong>, but you can certainly see the capital in a day:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>The first includes <strong>tickets to the Alhambra<\/strong>, which is the hardest thing to organise on your own. The whole holiday, in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/granada\/\">The Granada Guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n\n<h3>Do you need to book in advance to visit the Enchanted Forest in Granada?<\/h3>\n<p>Yes, on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays between 12 October and 8 December. During this period, access is limited to 575 people per day and you must obtain prior authorisation \u2013 free of charge \u2013 via the Andalusian Regional Government\u2019s quota system. One place must be booked per person. The rest of the year and on weekdays, this is not required.<\/p>\n\n<h3>How many kilometres long is the Dehesa del Camarate route?<\/h3>\n<p>Ten kilometres there and back, with 450 metres of elevation gain. The entire walk takes between four and a half and five hours, of which around two and a half hours are spent on the ascent alone. The route follows a forest track throughout, with no technical sections, although it involves a continuous climb.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Can you drive to the forest?<\/h3>\n<p>It depends on the date. Outside the quota period, you can access the route via the Ca\u00f1ada Real de los Potros to the ford on the River Alhama, where the footpath begins. At weekends and on public holidays from 12 October to 8 December, access is not permitted: you must leave your vehicle at the Parking de la Era car park in Lugros and take the shuttle bus. In any case, motor vehicles are not permitted beyond the Eras del Marchalejo area.<\/p>\n\n<h3>When is the best time to visit the Enchanted Forest?<\/h3>\n<p>Autumn, between October and November, when the deciduous forest changes colour and the valley is bathed in shades of ochre, gold and red. It is also the busiest time of year, which explains the capacity restrictions. Spring is the best time to visit: the trees turn green again, the streams are full of water and there are no access restrictions.<\/p>\n\n<h3>What sort of trees are there in the Dehesa del Camarate?<\/h3>\n<p>Pine oaks, maples, rowans, gall oaks, barberries, willows and chestnut trees, as well as thousand-year-old yews, which are its greatest asset. It is the best-preserved deciduous forest in Andalusia, the result of centuries of very little human intervention, aided by the abundance of water and the north-facing slope.<\/p>\n\n<h3>Is it OK to leave the path to go for a walk amongst the trees?<\/h3>\n<p>No. The Dehesa del Camarate is designated as a reserve area within the Sierra Nevada Natural Area, which means that it is expressly forbidden to walk off the forest track. It is this restriction that has enabled the forest to be preserved in its current state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/enchanted-forest-of-granada\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Granada\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/granada\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Enchanted Forest of Granada\"}]},{\"@type\":[\"TouristAttraction\",\"Park\"],\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/enchanted-forest-of-granada\/#dehesa\",\"name\":\"Dehesa del Camarate\",\"alternateName\":[\"Bosque Encantado de Granada\",\"Bosque Encantado de Lugros\"],\"description\":\"The best-preserved deciduous forest in Andalusia, on the northern face of the Sierra Nevada. 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It is this restriction that has enabled the forest to be preserved in its current state.\"}}]}]}<\/script>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Enchanted Forest of Granada is the common name for the Dehesa del Camarate, in the municipality of Lugros, on the north face of the Sierra Nevada. It is the best-preserved deciduous forest in Andalusia. And first and foremost, what you absolutely must know. \u26a0\ufe0f In autumn, you need to book in advance This is [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":76370,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[307],"tags":[676],"class_list":["post-76371","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-unkategorisiert","tag-grenade"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76371","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=76371"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/76371\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/76370"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=76371"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=76371"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=76371"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}