Fountain at La Granja de San Ildefonso

Real Sitio de San Ildefonso Biosphere Reserve – El Espinar

Segovia

It is located in the Sierra de Guadarrama, in Segovia (Castile and Leon) and is home to the Valsaín mountain, one of the largest wooded areas in Spain. The area is of great ecological importance and hosts several forestry research centres.

Biosphere Reserve

Real Sitio de San Ildefonso Biosphere Reserve – El Espinar

Segovia  (Castilla y Leon)

Type of area:Biosphere Reserve Area:34,372.11 hectares Email:alcaldia@aytoelespinar.com Email:alcaldia@lagranja-valsain.com Tel.:+34 921 181 700 (Ayuntamiento de El Espinar) Tel.:+34 921 470 018 (Ayuntamiento de el Real Sitio de San Ildefonso) Website:Real Sitio de San Ildefonso Biosphere Reserve – El Espinar

Segovia (Castilla y Leon):

Useful information

What you need to know

  • Cultural information

    San Ildefonso is well worth a visit to see the Royal Palace of La Granja de San Ildefonso and its gardens. It also houses the Glass Museum, located in the former Royal Glass Factory of La Granja, which has a long-standing tradition and international recognition. In addition, just over 10 kilometers away is the UNESCO World Heritage city of Segovia, with its impressive Aqueduct and Alcázar.

  • Environmental information

    The area is home to a wide variety of plant life. For example, in the high mountain area, grasslands and creeping scrubland abound. In the middle and lower areas, the landscape is dominated by forests of Scots pine, oak groves, holm oaks, and typical riverside vegetation. Among the fauna that inhabit this area are emblematic species in danger of extinction, such as the Iberian imperial eagle, the black stork and the black vulture. Among the mammals, the otter stands out, and in the rivers, the trout.

  • Information for visits

    The Montes de Valsaín have a visitor centre located in the Boca del Asno recreational area (CL-601 highway, kilometre 127.5). In addition, you will find different trails. In the Montes de Valsaín there are two other recreational areas: Los Asientos and El Robledo.