The Alto Tajo month by month
The Alto Tajo in February: cranes, antler shedding and early march mushrooms
In February winter begins to loosen its grip on the Alto Tajo. Flocks of cranes pass northward, older red deer stags begin shedding their antlers, and in milder years, the first march mushrooms appear as snowbanks retreat. It remains a month of crisp frosts and long, dark nights.
- Migrating cranes
- Deer antler casting
- Early march mushrooms
- Black truffle
- Winter skies
- Avg. max (°C)
- 9 °C
- Avg. min (°C)
- 0 °C
- Rainfall (mm)
- 42 mm
- Frost days
- 14
Average of 110 atlas villages (ERA5, 2015–2024). The coldest in february is Masegosa (-1 °C average minimum) and the mildest, Trillo (12 °C average maximum).
Wildlife
Common cranes fly north toward their breeding grounds in northern Europe; their V-formations are heard long before they come into sight. In the woodlands, mature red deer stags begin casting their antlers, preparing to grow new sets through the spring.
Mushrooms
If winter proves mild, the march mushroom (Hygrophorus marzuolus) can already appear in pine forests, often half-hidden under needle litter or melting snowdrifts. Black truffles remain in season.
Water
Rain and early snowmelt swell river flows. Karst springs and resurgences, draining vast underground limestone sponges, begin displaying their full power.
Practical tips
Days remain short and cold: dress in layers and carry a thermos. It is a good month for sheltered walks along canyon floors and exploring the historical heritage of Molina de Aragón.
The night sky in february
Still long nights. This is the last great window to observe Orion and the Great Orion Nebula in the early evening; by the small hours, spring constellations like Leo begin rising in the east.
Traces of time in this season
The season changes how you see these places. Their stories belong to other scales of time: from the formation of the landscape to the work and lives of those who inhabited it.
Molina de Aragón
Guadalajara · 13 places
Puente Viejo of Molina de Aragón: the red stone Romanesque bridge
Molina de Aragón
Regional Museum of Molina de Aragón (San Francisco Convent)
Molina de AragónContinue reading: The frontier and the Señorío.
To visit: Allow time for the historic quarter and check for ice on access points. The museum is an alternative if open.
Check the conditions on each guide or start with the getting started guide.
Preguntas frecuentes
When do deer shed their antlers in the Alto Tajo?
Antler casting begins in late winter: older stags usually drop their antlers between February and March, followed by younger males later in the spring.
When do march mushrooms appear?
They depend on late winter weather. In the Alto Tajo they usually fruit between March and April, though in warmer years they can emerge as early as February when snow clears from pine groves.