In the heart of Spain’s León province, far from bustling tourist hotspots, lies a remarkable place where nature becomes intertwined with the world of childhood dreams. This is no ordinary park—it’s a true fairy tale adventure designed for families with children. The municipality of Almanza has introduced a unique leisure concept that transforms an ordinary forest walk into an exciting journey full of discovery and magic.
This is the “Forest of Tales” (El Bosque de los Cuentos)—a picturesque trail winding through a grove of centuries-old oaks. The route is designed to be accessible to visitors of all ages, including the youngest explorers. It’s just about a kilometer long one way, making it a pleasant walk without fatigue. The starting point is the El Peñón recreation area, which offers convenient parking. From the very first steps, visitors are immersed in an atmosphere of mystery. As you follow the path among powerful tree trunks, some reaching five meters around, familiar childhood figures begin to appear.
Here you can meet Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Little Red Riding Hood waiting for the Big Bad Wolf, or the Three Little Pigs building their houses. All the sculptures are masterfully crafted by restorer Sara Macho. They don’t seem out of place, but are seamlessly integrated into the natural landscape, as if the fairy-tale characters truly live in this forest. The creators made sure the experience is not just visual. The walk is also educational: next to each installation, you’ll find QR codes. Scan them with your smartphone, and you can read or listen to the story behind each character. This interactive approach turns the outing into an engaging game, helping children see these classic tales in a new light.
It’s important to note that entry to this magical forest is completely free—no tickets or schedules required. The only rule for visitors is to respect nature and the art objects. After an educational walk, families can enjoy a picnic. At the start of the trail, there’s a large clearing and specially equipped tables where you can relax comfortably and share your impressions. Recently, the woodland collection has grown—with new figures of Bambi and his friend, Thumper, making return visits even more exciting and attracting more and more visitors every year.
The success of this initiative has inspired local authorities to further develop the area as a center for family tourism. The municipality of Almansa is planning to implement several more ambitious projects. Work is already underway to create a themed maze, which will become another site for exciting adventures. In addition, there are plans to build an entire complex of wooden houses styled after folk tales. This complex will not only offer themed accommodation options but also camping areas. With these projects, Almansa aims to become a full-fledged tourist destination, offering quality recreation in nature. These initiatives highlight the growing trend of rural and eco-tourism development in Spain, focusing on sustainability, environmental preservation, and creating unique experiences for families.
