What to do in Guadalajara

Guadalajara is the capital of the Alcarria province and serves as a gateway to three distinct natural settings: the Tejera Negra beech forest (the southernmost in Europe), the Alcarria with its network of lakes and rivers, and the Serranía de Cuenca, reachable in under 50 km. Hiking in the Tejera Negra is centred on the Hayedo trail, where centuries-old beeches in the Sierra Norte de Guadalajara Natural Park reach their full autumn colour in October. Horse riding routes cross the Alcarria landscape, with dehesas and farmsteads where extensive livestock farming coexists with nature. Mountain biking has circuits on the Sierra Norte forest tracks and around the Puebla de Beleña lakes, with routes combining technical forest sections and open descents through lavender fields. The Ruidera Lakes, 80 km away, extend the offering with kayaking and paddling through a connected lake system. Proximity to Madrid (50 km) makes Guadalajara a practical base for weekend getaways focused on active nature.