The Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche natural park encompasses
184,000 hectares, an impressive 90% of it covered by woodland of
mainly Mediterranean oak. The landscape is full of contrasts, with
gently rolling hills and wooded valleys gradually giving way to
dramatic rocky outcrops on high peaks. There is a rich and varied
wildlife with plenty of chances to spot birds of prey or hearing
woodpeckers in spring.
Whitewashed towns and villages, often huddled round a large church
or castle, are dotted around the Sierra, with a concentration of
settlement along the N433 that runs east-west across the park. Away
from these places, increasingly busy with mainly Spanish visitors,
you can get a better idea of the tranquil nature of the villages
and surrounding countryside. With the improved road to Seville making
the journey to this city only an hour, it won't be long before even
the sleepiest villages get their wake-up call.
With an extensive network of footpaths and centuries-old drovers'
tracks, many now signposted and marked on walking maps, it's easy
to explore the Sierra on foot. With many walks in the central part
of the Sierra, you don't have to go far to reach the next village
and there are lots of circular routes.
The Sierra is famous for its rearing of black Iberian pigs and
these can be seen everywhere, particularly under holm oak trees
where they search for the acorns that give their ham its distinctive
quality. Factories for curing the renowned jamón Ibérico are dotted
all over the Sierra. The most sought-after ham comes from the village
of Jabugo, however, where the biggest ham producer, Sánchez Romero
Carvajal, is based.
The spectacular Autumn leaves in the Sierra de Aracena
Access
The Sierra is easily accessible by car, bike or on foot. Two major
roads cross the Sierra: the east-west Seville-Lisbon N433 and the
north-south Huelva-Badajoz (Extremadura) N435. There are twice-daily
trains from Huelva to the Sierra's two stations:Almonaster-Cortegana
and El Repilado. The minor roads linking villages in the Sierra
have been much improved in recent years.
Towns and villages
Alájar to the
south.
Almonaster
la Real to the southwest.
Aracena to
the south.
Aroche to the
west, near Portugal.
Arroyomolinos de León
Cala
Cañaveral de León
Castaño de Robledo
Corteconcepción
Cortegana
to the southwest.
Cortelazor
Cumbres de Enmedio
Cumbres de San Bartolomé
Cumbres
Mayores to the north, close to the border with Extremadura.
Encinasola
Fuenteheridos
in the south.
Galaroza
Higuera de la Sierra
Hinojales
Jabugo
Linares de la Sierra
La Nava
Los Marines
Puerto Moral
Santa Ana la Real
Santa Olalla de Cala
Valdelarco
Zufre to the
east.
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 Finca Buenvino
Country B&B; a home from home in the Sierra de Aracena. Beautiful views, fabulous food, wonderful walks, divine infinity pool
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