Description
A shorter route takes the traveller west of the Sierra Morena mountains and to the thickly wooded Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche. Here is the heart of production of the famous Jabugo, Cumbres Mayores and Cortegana. Castles, churches, hermitages and even a mosque are witnesses of the religious tradition of this region and its people. In Aracena there is the "Cave of Marvel", a stalactite cave and in Minas de Riotinto a copper-ore mine.

Itinerary
From Seville on Highways N 630 and N 433 to the Natural Park Sierra de Aracena. The route continues on the N 455 towards Valverde del Camino, with an excursion to Minas de Riotinto and ends in the capital of the province, Huelva.

Time needed
2 days. Longer stays recommended for hikers.

Distance
approx. 300 kilometers/185 miles

Best travel season
Spring to Autumn

Landscape and protected areas
The tour passes through holm- and corkoak forests into the green zone of the Natural Park Sierra de Aracena, which is located in the western range of the "Sierra Morena", which owes its name to its stone structure (slate, schist) and to numerous holmtrees. The most ancient European copper mines are located south of the village of Minas de Riotinto mines.

Natural Park Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche
In this Natural Park of great size (184,000 hectares) there are 28 villages. The rainfall from the Atlantic Ocean creates an ideal climate for the dense forests. Among other species it is possible to find all kinds of oaks and the chestnut tree. The fauna is very varied, with species in danger of extinction, as the golden eagle, the wildcat or the hawk.

Tourist information

Accommodation

Many hotels and hostels in Seville and Huelva. In the Sierra many country houses ("casas rurales") and 5 campsites can also be found.

Activities

Feasts/Festivals

Patron Saint Feasts / Ferias

almost each town celebrates its own patron saint, a procession and/or its "feria" (fair).

Pilgrimages - "Romerías"

Others

Seville (Miles 0, 703,200 Inhabitants)
The capital of Andalusia with its famous Cathedral and the Fortress (Alcázar) in the historic part of the city.

Higueras de la Sierra (Miles 47,
1,440 Inhabitants)
Picturesque village, famous for the cavalcade of the Three Kings of Orient (January 5).

Aracena (Miles 53, 7,610 Inhabitants)
Center of the region. Ruins of a former fortress; churches of Nuestra Señora del Mayor Dolor and Nuestra Señora de la Asunción on the Plaza Alta. Principal attraction: the Cave of Marvels with stalactites and stalacmites.

Funteheridos (Miles 58, 630 Inhabitants)
Picturesque mountain village with the church Espíritu Santo.

Alájar (Miles 62, 800 Inhabitants)
village of Arab origin, placed in a charming landscape. Baroque church of San Marcos. Good views from the Peña de Arias Montano, refuge of the humanist philosopher A. Montano. Closely: Sanctuary Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles.

Santa Ana la Real (Miles 67,
480 Inhabitants)
Small population with narrow streets, the hermitage of San Bartolomé and - in the suburbs - the cataract of "El Chorro".

Almonaster la Real (Miles 72,
1,850 Inhabitants)
Also of Arabic origin with the remains of a mosque inside the ruins of the castle. Parochial Gothic church St Martin.

Cortegana (Miles 76, 4,970 Inhabitants)
Center of the regional handicraft. Castle of the 13th century and churches Salvador and San Sebastian.
 
Aroche (Miles 84, 3,110 Inhabitants)
Former Roman stronghold. Arabic castle with bullring and archaeological museum. Many good preserved noble houses (mansions), church Nuestra Señora de la Asunción.

Jabugo (Miles 99, 2,400 Inhabitants)
Small village, today the most famous village of the region for its production of the Iberian pork (" Pata Negra"). It is possible to visit Sanchez Romero's cured ham factory.
Church San Miguel Archangel

Castaño del Robledo (Miles 103,
220 Inhabitants)
Good starting point for hikers.

Minas de Riotinto (Miles 132,
4,220 Inhabitants)
Copper-mimig town. It is possible to visit the former mine and a museum. Roman necropolis de la Dehesa; Quarter Bella Vista in Victorian style.

Nerva (Miles 135, 6,000 Inhabitants)
Birth place of the painter Vázquez Díaz. Local museum in the town hall.

Zalamea la Real (Miles 141,
3,410 Inhabitants)
Dólmenes de El Pozuelo (3.000 b.C.)
"Cultura dolménica" Interpretation Centre. Church Nuestra señora de la Asunción 

Valverde del Camino (Miles 155,
12,780 Inhabitants)
Small town famous for its leatherware (boots, shoes). Located on the principal highway towards:

Huelva (Miles 186, 148,800 Inhabitants)
The capital of the province, situated on the mouth of the river Odiel. Columbus started his journey to the New World in the nearby village Palos de la Frontera (8 Miles).
 

What may be visited after or before these plans: