Autumn tourism: five thousand-year-old trees in Spain and where to find them

Autumn is one of the best times to discover the incredible inland landscapes that Spain hides. An opportunity that not only serves to disconnect but, in times as complicated as the ones we live in, is one of the best alternatives for traveling since rural environments are usually less crowded, so we can enjoy the outdoors almost without company. Thus, Indie Campers, a motorhome and camper van rental platform in Spain and Europe, has selected some of the oldest and most impressive trees found in our country.

Valhondillo Yew, Rascafría (Madrid)

Author: Miguel303xm.

This yew that we can find walking through the Valhondillo Valley, in Rascafría, is the oldest tree in Spain. It is estimated that this specimen, 8 meters high, with a crown 15 meters wide and a hollow trunk about 3 meters in diameter, is between 2,000 and 4,000 years old, which also makes it one of the oldest trees in Europe. However, it is not the only ancient yew that we can discover walking near the Valhondillo stream, because in this area of ​​the Sierra de Guadarrama (northwest of Madrid) there are also other specimens that are more than 1,000 years old, so since 1985 they are Community protected species.

Ancient olive tree of ‘La Farga de Arión’ in Ulldecona (Tarragona)

Author: Edso

In the municipality of Ulldecona (Montsià region) we can find a set of ancient olive trees, of the farga variety, of impressive shapes and sizes. One of them, called Farga 1, is dated to the year 314, which is why it is considered the oldest olive tree in Spain. These specimens, found on the Arion estate, form a spectacular natural ensemble thanks to their twisted trunks and imposing crowns, so it is not surprising that, since 1997, they have been classified as monumental trees.

The Drago, Icod de los Vinos (Tenerife)

The north of the island of Tenerife is home to this specimen of Drago, a tree typical of subtropical climates, especially the Canary Islands. Popularly known as the ‘Millennium Drago’ (although its age is currently estimated at about 800 years), it is considered the oldest in the archipelago, making it one of the most important natural symbols of the Islands. If we move to Tenerife, we can discover its imposing presence thanks to its more than 16 meters in height and a base circumference of about 20 meters.

Ancient chestnuts in San Justo, Sanabria (Zamora)

On the estate of the Ermita de la Virgen de la Alcobilla, in the municipality of San Justo, we can find these incredible chestnut trees whose dating is between the years 900 and 1200. Some of the specimens have trunks of more than 8 meters in diameter. , which is why they have become an essential place to visit for nature lovers.

Ancient oaks, Siruela (Badajoz)

Although holm oaks are the dominant species in Extremadura, it is not always possible to see a group of these specimens as impressive as the one we can enjoy in Siruela, a municipality in the northwest of Badajoz. There, we can find a group of oaks that are over a thousand years old. Currently, the municipality participates in the initiative ‘Sponsor an oak’, with the aim of promoting the protection of nature.