The Enchanted Forest of Granada

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.

⚠️ In autumn, you need to book in advance

This is the first thing, because without it you can’t get in.

From 12 October to 8 December, the Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, access is restricted to 575 people a day and it is necessary advance booking.

• Booking is free of charge and it is done online, via the Andalusian Regional Government’s quota system.
• You must book one place per person, not one per group.
• Running out: This is the busiest time of the year.

And why the quota exists: In the autumn of 2019, the following were recorded: 10,000 visits in a single weekend and more than 17,000 over the whole season. The area couldn’t cope.

Outside that window —on weekdays, or the rest of the year— No booking required and you can drive right up to the start of the footpath.

🚐 And during peak season, the shuttle bus is compulsory

Another point that’s been miscounted. During those weekends no access by car to the car park at the Alhama River ford.

So here’s how it works:

• You leave the car at the Era Car Park, in the town centre of Lugros.
• That’s where the shuttle to the start of the footpath, a walk of about 20 minutes.
• It is a paid service —a few euros each way— and it is advisable to check fares and timetables when booking.

Motor vehicles are prohibited from passing through starting from the Eras del Marchalejo area.

What is the Dehesa del Camarate?

A deciduous forest in the very south of the peninsula, which is unusual: here, pine and holm-oak woods are the norm.

What’s inside: Melojo oaks, maples, rowans, gall oaks, barberries, willows and chestnut trees. And thousand-year-old yew trees, which are the jewel in the crown of the collection.

It has been preserved in this way for a reason: It has seen very little human intervention over the centuries. The abundance of water and its north-facing aspect have done the rest.

It is designated as a reserve area within the Sierra Nevada Natural Area, and this has a practical consequence: You must not leave the forest track. No shortcuts or venturing into the woods.

The route: 10 kilometres and 450 metres of elevation gain

The actual figures, because inflated figures are being circulated:

• 10 kilometres there and back, not thirteen and a half.
• 450 metres of elevation gain.
• Between four and a half and five hours the whole; about two and a half hours one way.
• All along the forest track, very easy to follow. A steady climb but with no technical sections.

Moderate difficulty due to the distance and the elevation gain, not because of the technique. It’s manageable with an average level of fitness, but it’s no walk in the park.

What to bring: hiking boots, plenty of water, a cap and sun protection. And something warm to wear, as it’s a mountain hike.

🍂 When to go

Autumn is the season, by far. Among October and November 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 «la otoñada» and it is what gives the place its name.

That is precisely why the quota exists, so if you’re going on those dates, book in advance.

The other stations:

• Spring: Green, streams with water and no access restrictions. The best option.
• Summer: It’s passable, but you’ve got to set off early. It gets busy at midday.
• Winter: there may be ice or snow and the slopes get trickier. Check the conditions beforehand.

How to get there

Just under an hour from the city of Granada. From Málaga, about two.

• By the A-92, exit 288 towards Purullena.
• Then the GR-4105 to Lugros, passing through Purullena, Beas de Guadix and Polícar.
• During the quota season: straight to the Era Car Park, in the village.
• Off-season: One and a half kilometres before Lugros, next to a water tank, the road branches off to the right Cañada Real de los Potros, a dirt track about 6 km long leading to the start of the footpath.

Notice: that detour it is not signposted. Make sure you’ve downloaded the location onto your mobile before you set off, as there’s no signal up there.

On the «legend»

It’s best to be honest about this. There are tales of spirits dancing on full-moon nights, mysterious melodies and lights amongst the trees. There is no evidence that they are a documented local tradition: these are recent additions to the area’s tourist attractions.

And they aren’t necessary. The name comes from something real and verifiable: a forest of ancient yew trees and hundred-year-old oaks, with frequent fog and an unusual silence, in a mountain range where a forest like this ought not to exist.

If you’re into legends with fountains, we’ve got The Legends of the Alhambra, which are in fact documented.

Pair it with pomegranate

Lugros is an hour’s drive from the capital, so they can’t be done properly on the same day: the route takes a whole day.

If you have two days, spend one in the forest and the other in the city: What to see in Granada, How to visit the Alhambra y where to eat.

The city, a day’s trip from Málaga

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia. The forest is a place for independent hiking, but you can certainly see the capital in a day:

The first includes tickets to the Alhambra, which is the hardest thing to organise on your own. The whole holiday, in The Granada Guide.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need to book in advance to visit the Enchanted Forest in Granada?

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 – free of charge – via the Andalusian Regional Government’s quota system. One place must be booked per person. The rest of the year and on weekdays, this is not required.

How many kilometres long is the Dehesa del Camarate route?

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.

Can you drive to the forest?

It depends on the date. Outside the quota period, you can access the route via the Cañada 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.

When is the best time to visit the Enchanted Forest?

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.

What sort of trees are there in the Dehesa del Camarate?

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.

Is it OK to leave the path to go for a walk amongst the trees?

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.