An incredible habitat of nature
This walk will take you through the Natural Park of the Sierra of Aracena, north of the province of Huelva in the beautiful south of Spain. Gentle rolling hills, filled with endless shrubs of rockrose, rosemary, wild strawberries and heather. Forests of cork trees, oaks and pines are your surroundings as you wind up and down the villages that have been preserved in time and tradition. The narrow paths will lead you to hidden streams and waterfalls.
Highlights:
Seville, Natural Park of Aracena, Las Grutas de las Maravillas and a night of Flamenco
Average Miles per day: 8 miles
Route description: Natural road, some erosion, rocks, mud and water.
Degree of Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Natural Habitat
South of Spain
9 days/8 nights see Tour Calendar
Itinerary
Day 1 Bienvenidos a Sevilla the capital of Andalucia awaits! Today upon arrival, you will be greeted by your Spain Adventures specialist. Visit the Giralda, which was originally built as the minaret of Seville’s former mosque and was incorporated into the cities’ Gothic Cathedral, and the Alcázares the official residence of the Spanish Royalty. Tonight your official initiation into Spanish custom begins with a Tapas dinner and a fiery Flamenco show.
Day 2 Early morning shuttle to your first walk in Aracena. This walk will take you through four towns valued for their extensive hiking paths and rich architecture of the fountains, castles, mills, lavaderos (washing places), beautiful ceramic handcrafts and the magnificent Gruta de las Maravillas. The day ends in the town of Galaroza known for its pastoral beauty, and fruit orchards.
Day 3 Before we start our journey today, a walk through town to see one or two of the many water fountains that signify the importance of water in the town of Galaroza. Their architecture serves as a reminder of the importance of aesthetic beauty, while building a structure of utility. Rolling hills and babbling brooks, lead us on a walk to the town of Cortegana. Tonight our accommodations are Log Cabins situated along the Carabaña brook.
Day 4 This morning we make a stop to see some of the regions most beautiful ceramic pottery. Each unique piece is skillfully hand-painted in a traditional fashion with paints made from minerals such as copper sulfate, magnesium, white mud and oxidized cobalt. These rich pots where used to drink the fine wines at the nightlong tertulias . Our walk takes us to Almonaster.
Day 5 In addition to its rich artistic and historical attributes, Almonaster offers the walker an opportunity to see some of the most enchanting multicultural streets in Andalucia. From contemporary popular construction to the most refined period architecture, the diverse styles give us a look into a rich past: mudéjar, renaissance, baroque, and palatial neoclassic homes are among the treasures we encounter along the way. From Almonaster we begin our journey to Jabugo, world renowned for its’ delectable ham, gazpachos for all seasons and all deserts rich with honey. Shuttle to Galaroza
Day 6 Our return to Galaroza signals the opportunity to take "the road not taken" a few days earlier. From the fountain in the center of town we begin our walk to Fuenteheridos. Along the way we will pass through chestnut forests and fruit orchards until we reach the town of Castaño del Robledo known for its location between las Sierras del Castaño y de la Virgen, the two highest elevations in the natural park. As we exit the town we start our climb toward the water-fall of Santa Ana and then descend through a forest of "chopos" black poplar or cottonwood trees. Fuenteheridos is situated within the natural park of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, one of the most specific natural places in Spain. It’s abundance of foliage and vegetation at the riverside, such as oaks, cork oaks, and chestnuts provide the walker with unforgettable, breath-taking scenery.
Day 7 On to Alájar whose name in Arabic means the rock. Today’s walk takes you through small villages and hamlets on winding and rolling hills past the remains of time worn windmills. A moderate climb to the charming towns of Los Marines and Linares, where you’ll see an XVIII century bullring. From the top of the Peña you’ll be able to see Alajar in all its quiet beauty.
Day 8 Our journey today takes us back through familiar roads to the town of Aracena.
Today you will visit the Las Grutas de las Maravillas (the cavern of wonders) a cavity with a horizontal route in which three levels of superimposed galleries are distinguishable. Known for its geological beauty, many poets and writers will argue that it is a magical mystical wonder filled with "amorous goblins" A.M. Rodriguez Castillo.
Day 9 Shuttle back to Seville for a free afternoon and farewell dinner.
