Southern Villages driving itinerary from Aracena

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Sierra de Aracena y los Picos de Aroche Natural Park

Driving ITINERARIES FROM ARACENA

SOUTHERN VILLAGES

This route passes through some of the prettiest villages in the Sierra de Aracena and woodland typical of this area. Leaving Aracena going west towards Portugal on the N-433, the road goes past extensive groves of sweet chestnuts until you get to the small village of Fuenteheridos. Go through the village and once at the central, circular square, follow the signs to the restaurant El Barrio and the campsite El Madroñal. This street takes you onto the H-7015 road heading out the other side of the village. Turn right to Castaño del Robledo. One kilometre out of the village is the campsite on the right. This road passes through more chestnut woodland, which give the next village its name.

The tiny village of Castaño de Roblado - half the size of Fuenteheridos - is worth a stop for its imposing and unfinished Iglesia Nueva and its centuries-old houses. There is a tiny, leafy paseo (square) and a few bars in the centre.

Take the winding, pretty H-5211 road past cork oak woods towards the N-435. Turn left towards Huelva. On the right 200m later is a picnic area with excellent views towards Cortegana and its castle.

Soon after the tiny hamlet of Aguafría is a crossroads where the N-435 passes the HU-8105 (was A-470). Take the left turn-off to Santa Ana la Real. This village has some wonderful views south. Continue past Santa Ana la Real towards Alájar. Two kilometres out of the village, just before Km 16 on a sharp right hand bend, there is a track on the left, is a 2km-long easy walk to a waterfall, the Chorro de Santa Ana. There is a park information board here about the footpath, which branches before the waterfall with a track continuing to Castaño.

The road continues past fields of cork oaks. Look out for those with trunks of a rich orange hue; this means the cork - which is cut every nine years - has recently been removed. The next place is the attractive village of Alájar, at the foot of a rocky peak called the Peña de Arias Montano. From Alájar are several circular walks.

After visiting Alájar, continue east on the A-470, taking a detour on the left up to the Peña for a superb view, towards Linares de la Sierra. This is the last village before Aracena and is worth a visit for its curious sandy bullring, which doubles as a car park and square (when the bullfights aren't on). Many houses here have individually cobbled areas outside their front doors. There is also a superb restaurant here, Los Arrieros. Continue east on the A-470 to return to Aracena.

CAR HIRE

Hire a car is best way to get around as public transport is limited. Consult our general Car Hire page for a list of providers.

Driving in Andalucia

Consult the extensve Driving in Andalucia section for advise on driving and the roads.

ITINERARIES IN ANDALUCIA 

Consult our varied Itineraries in Andalucia originating form the Airports and the major cities.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotels in the main towns and villages. Bed & Breakfast and casas rurales (country cottages) in beautiful rural locations. More on Sierra de Aracena accommodation page >

Destinations