The forest of El Paular in the heart of the Sierra de Guadarrama
– Exemplary private management since 1840 –Natural site “los Belgas”
An ecological jewel in Rascafría steeped in history
Rascafría (Madrid)
More than 2000 hectares
Altitude: 1.300m. – 1.840m.
Black vulture and other protected species
More than 1,000,000 trees
(Scots pine, oak, holly, yew…)
ZEPA ES0000057 – High Lozoya
ZEC ES3110002 – Lozoya river basin and Sierra Norte
The National Park of Guadarrama:
- An Area for Conservation and the Maintenance of Traditional Uses
- The National Park’s area of socio-economic influence (in the Community of Madrid)
- Peripheral Protection Area
The Pinar de los Belgas (Monte Cabeza de Hierro) in Rascafría is a favorite destination for many hikers who seek to connect with nature. Every day, the tracks and paths are crossed by nature lovers eager to enjoy the landscape, with its flora, wild-life, tranquillity and calm that the waters of the river Lozoya provide.
Many visitors are unaware that these exceptional forests bordering the National Park of Guadarrama, have benefitted from conservation and a sustainable forest management model for nearly 200 years. This sustainable management approach has preserved the beauty of a park with its enjoyment for hikers in a manner which is fully compatible with proper management of the forest resources.
Since 1840, the Sociedad Anónima Belga de los Pinares de El Paular, a Belgian public limited company, has maintained this ecological jewel where Scots pine prevails. Although it is also populated by holly trees, Pyrenean oak or yews, and is also home to one of the largest black vulture colonies in Spain. An natural paradise like this forest needs the support of each and every one of us in order to continue to reveal its splendor.
Let’s open the door to 180 years of history.
Conservation at the service of society
The Pinar de los Belgas is a prodigious natural space that supports multiple ecosystems. It contributes to mitigate climate change by absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere. It protects and regulates the hydrological cycle of the river Lozoya, which provides Madrid with clean drinking water and is a major producer of forestry resources that generates economic and social benefits.
This large green lung is open for the community to use explore and enjoy. For this reason, everyone is responsible to take care of it and to respect it; in order to conserve and preserve the values it represents.
Water of Lozoya
On the waterway
El Pinar de los Belgas is the source of the Lozoya Valley basin. Along with the water from the massif of Peñalara, with its snowfields, the area produces a large part of the water that runs into the river Lozoya. The Scots pine groves play a key role in the retention and the flow of water is decisive in the regulation of its hydrological cycle.
The water of Lozoya flows through granitic soils, meaning that it collects hardly any sediment and is hence very soft. The waters high quality is recognized for being one of the best waters of the peninsula for human consumption.
Wood
A sustainable forest resource
The Sociedad Belga Pinares de El Paular has been harvesting the pinewood from el Pinar de los Belgas for more than 160 years. For years, this good forest management activity has been pivotal in conserving the forest.
Wood is an unbeatable natural material due to its versatility and technical qualities for building. It is an organic, ecological and living material which is able to regulate the moisture in the air, creating healthy and comfortable environments.
Using wood that comes from forests with sustainable forest management is the best way to look after our woodland. CONSUMING WOOD is INVESTING IN OUR WOODLAND.
Wood
A sustainable forest resource
The Sociedad Belga Pinares de El Paular has been harvesting the pinewood from el Pinar de los Belgas for more than 160 years. For years, this good forest management activity has been pivotal in conserving the forest.
Wood is an unbeatable natural material due to its versatility and technical qualities for building. It is an organic, ecological and living material which is able to regulate the moisture in the air, creating healthy and comfortable environments.
Using wood that comes from forests with sustainable forest management is the best way to look after our woodland. CONSUMING WOOD is INVESTING IN OUR WOODLAND.
You have a role to in this story
Together for the forests
More than 60% of woodland in Spain are privately owned. A large part of it, such as el Pinar de los Belgas, are subject to easements of passage and use that have always provided services and great benefits to the surrounding communities.
The boom in active tourism and the rediscovery of nature is generating enormous recreational pressure on natural environments, sometimes compromising their fragile environmental equilibrium. Forest owners are finding it difficult to cope with the new challenges. This is why el Pinar de los Belgas would like to invite you to collaborate.