Tejedelo Forest

The Tejedelo Forest, also known as Teixedelo, is one of the natural gems of the Sanabria region, in the province of Zamora. Located in the municipality of Requejo de Sanabria, this forest stands out for having one of the largest and best-preserved concentrations of ancient yew trees in the entire Iberian Peninsula.

Features of the Tejedelo Forest
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Tejedelo is a yew forest (Taxus baccata), coniferous trees that prefer mountainous, cool, and humid areas. These trees can reach heights of up to 20 meters, with thick trunks that often exceed several meters in diameter. The yew foliage is evergreen, composed of dark green leaves arranged in two opposite rows. The yews of Tejedelo are particularly long-lived, with some specimens exceeding 1,500 years of life.

In this forest, more than a hundred yews have reached millennial ages, the largest of which have a perimeter of 8 meters and heights of up to 13 meters. The yews produce red arils annually, known locally as “treixas”, which are sweet and edible for forest fauna.

Biodiversity and Ecosystem
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Tejedelo is not only notable for its yews but also for the rich biodiversity it harbors. Under the canopy of these trees, the forest maintains a constant temperature and humidity, creating a favorable microclimate for a variety of species. This environment is a refuge for roe deer, wild boars, martens, and wildcats. In addition, yew arils are a crucial food source for many birds during the winter months.

The forest is also home to a wide range of flora, including oaks, birches, rowan trees, holly, hazelnuts, and willows. On the forest floor, mosses and lichens thrive, benefiting from the humid and shady environment.

Tejedelo Hiking Trail
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The Tejedelo Forest is accessible via a well-marked hiking trail that starts at the Tejedelo car park, about 3.5 km from Requejo de Sanabria. To get to the trailhead, visitors can take the N-525 from Puebla de Sanabria and turn left in front of the Hostal Tu Casa, following signs to the old train station and the yew forest.

The trail starts at the car park, crossing a wooden bridge over the Tejedelo Stream. From here, the path gently climbs for about 1.5 kilometers, passing through a landscape of scrub and oak woods. The trail is marked with beacons and crosses the stream several times before entering the heart of the Tejedelo Forest.

At the highest point of the trail, known as the “Peña del Valadero”, visitors can enjoy stunning views of the forest, with its majestic yews standing out among the oaks and hollies.

Ethnographic Value and Conservation
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The Tejedelo Forest is an important natural and cultural heritage of Sanabria. The yews, with their hard wood and longevity, have historically been valuable to the local community. Yew wood was used to make cart axles and as fuel, while its leaves and arils had medicinal and food uses for local wildlife.

Currently, the forest is a protected area and conservation efforts are being made to preserve this unique ecosystem. The hiking trail is designed to minimize human impact and allow visitors to enjoy this landscape without damaging its delicate ecological balance.

How to Get There and Recommendations
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For those wishing to visit the Tejedelo Forest, it is recommended to wear suitable footwear for hiking, as the terrain can be uneven and wet. The best time to visit the forest is in autumn, when the leaf colors change and the weather is cooler. However, the beauty of the forest can be appreciated in any season of the year.

For more details about the route, you can consult the directions on Wikiloc: Tejedelo Forest.