The forests of Spain in autumn offer some of the most spectacular landscapes you can discover while traveling by motorhome. When October arrives, temperatures begin to drop, days get shorter, and thousands of trees transform their leaves into a combination of yellows, oranges, and reds that looks like something out of a movie.
It is a special time to travel.
The roads are quieter than in summer, villages regain their usual pace, and nature invites you to enjoy every stop without looking at the clock too much.
And although many associate motorhome vacations with summer, the truth is that autumn has something hard to find in other seasons.
That sense of calm.
Waking up to the sound of rain on the roof, making a hot coffee, and opening the door to discover a landscape completely different from the day before.
If you are looking for a getaway for October or November, we have selected six of the most beautiful forests in Spain to discover during autumn.
Irati Forest: an ocean of colors in Navarra
In the Navarrese Pyrenees lies one of our country’s great natural treasures: the Irati Forest (Selva de Irati).
This immense forest of beech and fir trees is one of the best-known destinations to enjoy autumn in Spain. And when you visit in October, you understand perfectly why.
The trails are covered in leaves, the humidity intensifies the scent of the earth, and the light passing through the branches creates an atmosphere that is hard to describe.
One of the best plans is to spend a morning walking its paths without rushing, stopping in the small corners that appear between the trees.
For those traveling by motorhome, the villages of Ochagavía and Orbaizeta are two good reference points from which to organize your visit.
Ochagavía, with its traditional stone houses and sloped roofs, is worth a stop in its own right. Strolling through its streets after a day of hiking is a perfect way to end the day.
Our advice: check the access points to the Irati Forest before you arrive. Some roads are narrow and certain parking areas have restrictions or access controls. It is preferable to leave the motorhome in a permitted spot and start the routes on foot.
Hayedo de Montejo: a fairytale corner near Madrid
You don’t need to travel all the way to the Pyrenees to discover one of the most special autumn landscapes in Spain.
In the Sierra Norte of Madrid, we find the Hayedo de Montejo, a forest that seems to completely change its personality when autumn arrives.
For much of the year, green dominates the landscape. But in October and November, the leaves begin to transform and the forest takes on golden and reddish hues.
Walking among its centuries-old trees is an experience that deserves to be enjoyed slowly.
The Hayedo de Montejo is part of the European beech forests recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its conservation is a priority.
For this reason, visits are conducted via guided itineraries and with regulated access. It is advisable to check available reservations in advance, especially during autumn weekends.
If you are traveling by motorhome, you can take advantage of the getaway to discover other villages in Madrid’s Sierra Norte, such as Montejo de la Sierra, Horcajuelo de la Sierra, or Buitrago del Lozoya.
A perfect combination of nature, history, and gastronomy.
Fageda d’en Jordà: a forest growing on lava
There are places that surprise you even before you know their history.
The Fageda d’en Jordà, in Girona, is one of them.
This beech forest is located within the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone Natural Park and has a peculiarity that makes it an exceptional place: it grows on an ancient lava flow from the Croscat volcano.
The result is a landscape of gentle elevations, quiet trails, and trees that create a genuine ceiling of golden leaves during autumn.
Walking through this forest is a very different experience from visiting other mountain beech forests.
Here, the volcanic terrain adds a special character to the landscape, and the paths allow you to enjoy nature at a relaxed pace.
The nearby town of Olot is a good base for exploring the region.
It is also worth visiting Santa Pau, a small medieval village with cobblestone streets and architecture that seems frozen in time.
If you are organizing a multi-day motorhome route, La Garrotxa offers a magnificent combination of forests, volcanoes, historic villages, and Catalan gastronomy.
Muniellos Forest: the wildest autumn in Asturias
Asturias is one of those destinations that always finds a way to surprise you.
And when autumn arrives, its mountains and forests take on an even greater charm.
The Muniellos Integral Natural Reserve, located in southwestern Asturias, houses one of the best-preserved oak forests in Spain.
The landscape here is different.
Wilder.
Quieter.
Further away from the usual tourist routes.
Its oaks, beeches, and other deciduous trees transform the forest into a mosaic of colors during the autumn months.
However, visiting Muniellos requires planning. Access is limited to protect this natural space, and it is necessary to obtain authorization to walk its itineraries.
For those traveling by motorhome, Cangas del Narcea can be a good starting point for discovering the area.
In addition to its natural heritage, this region offers gastronomy that fits particularly well with cool days: traditional dishes, local products, and restaurants where you can recharge your strength after a day outdoors.
A perfect getaway for those seeking nature and tranquility.
Hayedo de Tejera Negra: the hidden autumn of Guadalajara
In northern Guadalajara, within the Sierra Norte Natural Park, we find another of the great protagonists of the Spanish autumn.
The Hayedo de Tejera Negra.
This forest is especially known for its colors during October, when the beeches begin to turn yellow and orange.
One of its great attractions is the contrast between the trees, the mountains, and the trails that run through the valley.
Silence is also part of the experience.
It’s not hard to imagine a morning walking among fallen leaves, hearing only the wind and the sound of footsteps on the ground.
To organize your visit, Cantalojas is one of the key towns.
From there, you can access the designated itineraries, keeping in mind that certain parking lots and routes require prior reservation on specific dates.
The Sierra Norte of Guadalajara also offers small villages, rural landscapes, and roads that invite you to discover the area at your own pace.
A very interesting option for a weekend getaway.
Gorbeia Natural Park: forests and mist in the Basque Country
We end our selection of forests of Spain in autumn in the Basque Country.
The Gorbeia Natural Park, located between Álava and Bizkaia, is one of the most special places for those who enjoy damp landscapes and moss-covered forests.
During autumn, the beech forests take on warm colors and the first mists create an atmosphere that looks like something out of a fantasy story.
One of the best-known spots is the Hayedo de Otzarreta, famous for the shapes of its trees and the small streams that run through the forest.
It is an especially attractive destination for photography lovers, although it is also worth enjoying without a camera.
Simply walking.
Observing.
Listening to the forest.
If you are traveling by motorhome, you can organize a route around Orozko, Zeanuri, and other nearby villages, checking in advance for suitable access for large vehicles.
And if you have several days, you can combine the visit with other natural spaces in the Basque Country.
When is the best time to visit the forests of Spain in autumn?
Although October is one of the most popular months, not all forests reach their peak color at the same time.
Altitude, temperatures, rainfall, and the characteristics of each species influence when the leaves change.
In mountain areas, the show may begin earlier, while in forests at lower altitudes, it can last until November.
That’s why, if you’re thinking of organizing a route, it’s worth checking the state of the forests a few days before leaving.
And here is one of the great advantages of traveling by motorhome.
The ability to adapt the route.
If one forest is still green, you can discover another nearby place. If you find an especially beautiful valley, you can spend more time there than planned.
Autumn doesn’t always follow the calendar.
And that is also part of its charm.
Tips for touring the forests by motorhome
Traveling by motorhome during autumn is a wonderful experience, but it’s worth preparing a few details.
Temperatures can vary quite a bit between day and night, especially in mountain areas. Bringing warm clothes, waterproof footwear, and suitable rain gear will make the excursions much more comfortable.
It is also important to check the access roads to natural spaces. Some forests are at the end of narrow lanes or have parking lots that do not allow motorhomes.
The ideal approach is to look for suitable parking areas or campsites in nearby towns and use authorized access points for your visits.
Also remember that parking does not mean camping is allowed. Setting out tables, chairs, or awnings may be restricted, especially in protected natural areas.
And, of course, always respect the marked trails.
The beauty of these places depends on us continuing to take care of them.
Autumn has another way of understanding travel
There is something special about traveling when summer ends.
The roads regain their tranquility.
The villages return to their usual pace.
And the landscapes change almost every week.
You might not be able to spend the whole afternoon at the beach.
But you can discover a forest covered in golden leaves.
Prepare a hot breakfast while it rains outside.
Spend the morning walking among centuries-old trees.
Or end the day inside the motorhome, enjoying a quiet dinner as the cold starts to be felt on the other side of the window.
These are simple moments.
But they are also the ones that turn a getaway into a special memory.
Discover the colors of autumn with Caravan Hill
At Caravan Hill, we believe that every season has its own adventure.
Summer gives us beaches and endless days. Winter, mountains and snowy landscapes. And autumn invites us to discover a Spain full of colors, forests, and small villages where it’s worth stopping.
Our motorhomes allow you to enjoy that freedom to change scenery, improvise a route, and find places you might never have discovered otherwise.
Because not all trips need sun and heat.
Some of the best ones start with a road covered in leaves and a cup of hot coffee.
Book your motorhome at Caravan Hill and discover why autumn can become your favorite season to travel.
