Explore the mountain trails of Spain’s unspoilt Sierra de Aracena. Set amid a verdant and rolling landscape we enjoy scenic village to village walks along ancient drover routes. We also hike up to the summit of Cerro San Cristobal for spectacular views over the surrounding area. We stay in a traditional village house, experience rural Andalucian culture and enjoy delicious local cuisine. A relaxed pace tour that uncovers rural Spain in sunny Andalucia.
Itinerary
[+] Detailed Itinerary
1
Join tour Seville Airport. Drive to Castaño de Robledo
Our tour begins at Seville’s international airport. Transferring to a private bus we then drive deep into rural Andalucia, towards the small village of Castaño de Robledo, close to the Portuguese border. Our destination is a beautifully converted guesthouse in the heart of the Sierra Aracena National Park. Surrounded by a verdant landscape of cork trees and forests of oak and sweet chestnut, this will be our base for the week, amongst the scenic grandeur of Andalucia’s second largest natural park.
Overnight Standard Hotel
in Posada Del Castaño
2
Hike to Peña de Arias Montano and El Calabacino
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, the Sierra de Aracena encompasses one of the largest areas of protected forest in Europe. After breakfast this morning we head out along an ancient cobbled trail that takes us through chestnut groves towards the picturesque white village of Alájar. The views look out towards the historical mines of Rio Tinto and at Peña de Arias Montano we find the remains of an imposing 17th century hermitage, built on a high promontory above Alájar. Continuing on to the village of El Calabacino, we then complete the circuit back to Castaño de Robledo.
Walking time: Four and a half hours. Distance 12 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
in Posada Del Castaño
Included meals: Breakfast
3
Explore the Talenque and Rio Jabugo Valleys
A short drive by minibus this morning brings us to the small hamlet of Navahermosa, from where we begin our hike through the secluded Talenque Valley. Emerging into a landscape of steep gorges and wide valleys we approach the village of Valdelarco, where we have a chance to explore something of its picturesque charm before continuing towards Galaroza. Descending a rocky trail that passes its way along hillsides blanketed in cork trees, we then follow an ancient trail out of Galaroza and through the Rio Jabugo Valley back towards ‘El Castaño’.
Walking time: Five hours. Distance 14 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
in Posada Del Castaño
Included meals: Breakfast
4
Walk to Almonaster La Real via Cerro San Cristobal
Today’s high level walk takes us to the historic village of Almonaster La Real. Climbing out of the bowl of hills that surround Castaño, we head along a ridge and past pens of prized Iberian black pigs towards the peak of Cerro San Cristobal (907m). Crossing the second highest mountain in the Sierra’s, we then head down to the charming village of Almonaster, with its exquisite 9th century hilltop mosque. From here we drive back to Aracena by way of a scenic bus ride through the Sierras charming 'white' villages. After some time to explore the town, visit the caves and have dinner we will return to Castano by bus.
Walking time: Five hours. Distance 15 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
in Posada Del Castaño
Included meals: Breakfast
5
Free day
Depending on our interests there are a choice of activities available today. From nearby Fuenteheridos the public buses provide a regular service to Seville, providing an ideal opportunity to pay a day trip to the Andalucían capital. Other options include horse riding, mountain bike hire or a trip out to the Rio Tinto mines to visit the museum and the mine workings. You could also return to Aracena to revisit the castle and the caves. Alternatively there are a number of short walks around Castaño that take in the broad vistas of the Sierra de Aracena's beautiful landscapes.
Overnight Standard Hotel
in Posada Del Castaño
Included meals: Breakfast
6
Exploring the villages of the Sierra Aracena
Leaving Castaño this morning we descend through forests of pine and Holm oak to a small wooden bridge. Crossing the stream we then follow a meandering course through La Presa, Santa Ana and west towards the village of Aguafria. From here we head down through groves of cork trees to Los Romeros, before beginning the long ascent towards Jabugo, the undisputed capital of the Sierra’s famed cured ham (Jamon Serrano) industry. Stopping to take some refreshments, and perhaps try some of this delicious delicacy, we then hike the last four kilometres back to Castaño through the scenic Rio Jabugo Valley.
Walking time: Five hours. Distance 16 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
in Posada Del Castaño
Included meals: Breakfast
7
Walk from Fuenteheridos to Cortelazor
After breakfast this morning we drive the short distance to Fuenteheridos, to begin our final day’s walk. We begin by crossing an open rural landscape of farms, orchards and meadows, known collectively as ‘Valdelama’, before following an undulating trail that eventually leads down to the pretty village of Cortelazor. From here we complete a seven kilometre circuit that takes us across the steep ‘Arroyo de Guijarro’ gorge and along an old drovers trail down to the river, where we have a chance to relax before heading back up to Cortelazor to meet our waiting bus.
Walking time: Five hours. Distance 13 kilometres.
Overnight Standard Hotel
in Posada Del Castaño
Included meals: Breakfast
8
Tour ends Seville Airport
Driving back to Seville today our journey ends back at the city’s international airport.
in Posada Del Castaño
Included meals: Breakfast
