The Pine Park of Arroyomolinos, in the Madrid's community, has become a magical path since last October. All thanks to "World Council of Magical Creatures" who, fed up with the degradation suffered by the planet, has decided to teach the smallest environmental values through this half mile route.
This interesting proposal built with recycled wood of the trunks devastated by the storm Filomena, has been carried out through the Department of Heritage and Tourism of the Madrid town.
Learn playing.
All with the collaboration of the Department of Environment and Maintenance and the students of the Agricultural Training Center of Villaviciosa de Odón. The mayor of Arroyomolinos , Ana Millán, would explain in her presentation that they wanted "a project that disseminated the great environmental wealth of our municipality and that, in addition, would allow us to promote tourism”.
To get there, just take the road to Extremadura (A-5) and take exit 23 to continue along the Moraleja de Enmedio road (M-413) for about 5 kilometres. We cross the center of Arroyomolinos and, on its outskirts, after a roundabout full of palm trees, we will have the path on the left. We can leave the car in the small pine forest parking or, if it is full, in the one on the road itself next to the El Olivar restaurant (currently closed for renovation).
To be children again.
From there we move on foot to the beginning of the route, where we will find a map and an explanatory poster in which the gnome Lift and the trolls Gisli and Elof they welcome us and explain that "every month there are new tenants In the woods". Elves, fairies, gnomes and other magical creatures that they come from other places where There are no trees left to build their little houses here.
"If you keep quiet and open your eyes wide you might get to see them” , they point out, also remembering the importance of not littering and respecting the environment.
Hidden in any corner.
The path first runs through a "magic tunnel" created by the intertwined branches of the trees. At all times we will see all kinds of mythological creatures made of wood, as well as their little dwellings. Also animals on the ground, such as rabbits, owls, reindeer or wild boar.
We won't be long in reaching insect Hotel, that gives shelter to bees, ladybugs, wasps, lacewings and hoverflies. He also explains on a poster the importance of these beings within all terrestrial ecosystems. Another poster will specifically expose riparian ecosystem, detailing the trees: ash, elm, alder, tamarisk, white poplar, willow and plants (cane, cattail) that we are going to see.
A hotel for insects.
After passing under the road and crossing the river by a bridge, we arrive at the area of the picnic areas, with a bandstand and a small pond decorating the place. There is no type of beach bar, so we can eat and drink what we have put in our backpacks. There we will also see garbage train, next to which the "garbage trip" is shown, explaining where waste ends up if we throw them into the field.
We will also find out what birds: eagle owl, red partridge, blackbird, little owl..., mammals: common fox, genet, wild boar..., reptiles and amphibians: common frog, ladder snake, leper tortoise... inhabit the natural areas of the municipality. Also we will learn to know the age of the trees thanks to their rings.
Other beings that inhabit the pine forest.
after returning on the right bank of the river, we will find on the left the “troll zone”, from where a small path starts that is not part of the magic path, in case we want to continue exploring the park. On the right, the route ends in the “fairy zone”, with a seat to immortalize us with two large wooden wings behind us.
To finish off the excursion, We go on foot, following the road, to the center of Arroyomolinos. There, in front of the Gothic tower (15th century), we have lunch on the terrace of the Lima restaurant (it also has an interior dining room). His specialty is minutejos, but we will find options for all tastes: portions, sandwiches, hamburgers, sandwiches, meat and fish dishes à la carte and menu of the day (also on weekends).