At that time Spain was still the world's first naval power, but due to the fact the Spanish and French fleet lost the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805, the trees were never cut down. The Spanish monarch of that time, Ferdinand VII donated this area to the people of San Roque in compensation for having lost Gibraltar.

The woods are divided into two main parts, the southern zone is where there are generally more visitors and the wilder northern zone, which is out of bounds for motor vehicles. On the one hand, the southern zone includes the Recreational Area with picnic and barbecue facilities, the Alhaja stream and the Nature Centre. On the other hand, the northern zone offers ramblers two options: the Big Ugly Bird Gorge and the Eagle’s Hill nature trails, where a group of baboons from the old Alcaidesa safari park can often be observed at the gorge.

Entering the Pinar del Rey through the main access gate, you will come across the Alhaja Drinking Fountain, a very popular spring amongst the people of San Roque.

You can enjoy a stroll along the Alhaja stream nature trail, which follow the river course and features some of the most exuberant vegetation in the park. This nature trail is one of the most beautiful routes, among the four nature trails available within the park.

The Nature Centre, run by San Roque Borough Council and the green group Verdemar, includes an information point with guides, a botanical garden with a wide variety of flora from this eco-system. In fact, the Nature Centre has been awarded the blue flag, just like the Alcaidesa-Torrecarbonera and Torreguadiaro beaches.

The environmental guides at the Information Centre can offer you full details about the other three nature trails: Big, Ugly Bird Gorge, Eagle’s Hill and Pinar del Rey.

On the one hand, the two most demanding trails are Eagle’s Hill (medium-high difficulty) and Big, Ugly Bird Gorge (medium difficulty) and on the other hand, the circular route around the lower section of the woods is apt for everyone (especially less active people).