Sierra de Aracena
Sierra de Aracena is the large comarca (area) in the north of Huelva Province. It covers part of the Sierra Morena mountain range that spans accross most of northern Andalucia.
Within this Sierra de Aracena comarca there is a protected natural park called the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche which is a beautiful, densely wooded area. It has small, pretty whitewashed villages tucked away in valleys and dramatic hilltop castles. Its rich and diverse flora and fauna include mixed woodland of cork oaks, sweet chestnuts, olives and fruit orchards, home to wild boar, mongoose, badgers and weasels. It's also a good place for birdwatching - you can even see eagles, black vultures and black storks.
Under holm oaks that grow throughout the Sierra de Aracana are black Iberian pigs that feed on the oaks' acorns. The pigs are used for a delicious famed cured ham, jamón ibérico. The proliferation of pigs in the Sierra can be seen on menus, which are dominated by pork.
There are loads of great walks, some now well signposted, along the many tracks that crisscross the Sierra de Aracena.
Between the Sierra de Aracena and the coast is a comarca called Cuenca Minero (literally mining basin or Rio Tinto Mining ) which contains the amazing open-cast Río Tinto mines and an excellent mining park including museum, workers cottages and train ride.
Accommodation
There is a good choice of places to stay. There are hotels or high-standard hostales in the main towns and villages in the Sierra, as well as cheaper pensiones. Casas rurals (country cottages), in… More →
Villages of the Sierra de Aracena
Aracena, the largest town in the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, is dominated by a hilltop ruined castle and church. Its population has grown rapidly in recent years, but it… More →
This quaint village is located a short drive from the local main town of Aracena, and has steep, cobbled streets. The village, with a population of 300, lies at 500m above sea level, and has been… More →
El Repilado is one of the dependant villages of Jabugo located within the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park, 4kms west of Jabugo. There are two theories for the origin of the name… More →
La Nava is a small village located in the Sierra de Aracena, north of Jabugo. La Nava dominates the valley of the Rio Múrtigas (river), rich with orchards surrounded by hills of oak and olive… More →
Las Chinas is located in the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, 1.7 kms from Galaroza. The village is shared between the municipalities of Galaroza and La Nava. It has approximately 30… More →
Navahermosa is a small hamlet tucked away in the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, belonging to the municipality of Galaroza.It is ideal for lovers of rural tourism, especially hikers, with… More →
Valdelarco is a small village in the north-east of Sierra de Hinojales (Sierra de Aracena) with a population of about 250. The village is located in a valley between two forested hills, and 6km… More →
Santa Olalla del Cala is situated within the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche natural park, in the foothills of the Sierra Morena mountain range. The village is in the very north-east of Huelva… More →
This almost-abandoned mining village in the north of the province of Huelva is located a few km from the border with region of Extremadura and province of Badajoz. It is dependent on the nearby… More →
This town is a few kilometres from the border with the region of Extremadura and the province of Badajoz. Its population is about 1300. Cala is within the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Aracena y… More →
Arroyomolinos de León is at 609m above sea level, with a population of about 1000. It is located east of Cañaveral de León within the Natural Park of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche on… More →
Cañaveral de León is located within the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park to the north of Aracena and only one kilometre from the Extramadura border. It has a population of about… More →
Hinojales is located within the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park, in the far north of the province, west of Cañaveral de León. It is situated within limits of villages in Badajoz… More →
Cumbres de Enmedio is one of the smallest hamlets in Andalucia. Located within the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park, to the north of Jabugo and 4km from the Extremadura border,… More →
Cumbres de San Bartolomé is located within the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Parkin the far north of Huelva province, west of Cumbres de Enmedio and 4km from the border of… More →
The town, the most nothern in the province and close to both the Portuguese border a few km to west and the Extramadura border a few km to the North and East. Encinasola has a outlying feel to it… More →
The old centre of this tiny, ancient hilltop village, stunningly located within the Parque Natural Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, has been declared of Cultural interest. Cortelazor itself… More →
Galaroza village is located within the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, in the Valle de Murtiga, an area abundant in lush vegetation and thick woodland. The most… More →
This hillside village, which overlooks the Aracena reservoir, has been declared of historic-artistic interest due to its well-conserved examples of traditional local architecture, typical of the… More →
Los Marines is located in the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, 6.6 km west of Aracena, towards Portugal. It has around 350 inhabitants.
With a population of 5,000 this is one of the larger towns in the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park. Cortegana's castle dominates the skyline from miles around and is particularly… More →
Fuenteheridos is a pretty village just off the main N-433. A tiny village of some 700 people, Fuenteheridos can get overrun with visitors, mainly from Seville, at weekends and holidays. With about… More →
Zufre is described as 'a white village hidden amongst the clouds and nature' and is just an hour's drive north of Seville, in the middle of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche natural park… More →
Cumbres Mayores is located at the northern most edge of Andalucía, only 10km from the neighbouring comunidad autónoma (autonomous community) of Extremadura. Its border position can be seen in the… More →
Santa Ana la Real, situated within the Sierra de Aracena, is in one of the wettest areas in the whole of Spain, with an average annual rainfall of 1100 mm.The village is situated in a small valley… More →
Although at first Jabugo is one of the less picturesque villages in the Sierra de Aracena, with abattoirs and factories littering its outskirts to feed the local jamon iberico industry, the old… More →
Higuera de la Sierra is a village in the north-east of Huelva province within the Parque Natural de la Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche. It has a famous Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (Three… More →
Tucked away on the southwestern edge of the park is Almonaster, one of the most quaint villages of the Sierra. It has a magnificent hilltop mosque dating from the 10th century situated in amongst… More →
One of the prettiest villages in the Sierra, Alájar is overlooked by the towering Peña de Arias Montano, a dramatic rocky outcrop with a church and belfry. From the Peña is a stunning view of… More →
Famous for the sweet chestnut trees that surround it and give it its name, this village has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The houses are amazingly well preserved - the village was… More →
Aroche is located at the far western edge of the Sierra close to the Portuguese border. One of the least visited places in the Sierra, it is nevertheless worth exploring for its rich history and… More →
This is the "last town" before the border (la frontera) with Portugal, which is only a few kilometres to the west. It lies on the N-433 road, which runs through the centre of the town.
This small village is situated within the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, 12km east of Aracena, surrounded by cork oak woods. It is perfectly positioned to enjoy views of the Sierra and… More →
NATURAL Parks
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,… More →