Walking Andalucia’s Sierra de Aracena

Fly from the UK to Faro and transfer to our hotel in Aracena. The journey from Faro Airport takes approximately 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes by road. If time allows, we’ll offer a short introductory walk around the local area. 

Today’s walks take us through the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park, one of Andalucía’s most important protected landscapes. Mediterranean woodland blankets the hills, with holm oak, cork oak and chestnut trees providing welcome shade along the trails. 

Both options walk through Linares de la Sierra, a traditional village surrounded by wooded hills and fertile countryside. 

Option 1: Linares de la Sierra to Aracena 

Distance: 4.5 miles (7 km) 
Ascent: 150 feet (50 m) 
Descent: 700 feet (220 m) 

Starting in Linares de la Sierra, we follow a gently undulating route through Mediterranean woodland towards Aracena. With considerably more descent than ascent, this is the gentler of today’s two options. 

Option 2: Aracena and Linares de la Sierra 

Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km) 
Ascent: 940 feet (280 m) 
Descent: 940 feet (280 m) 

Our longer circular walk begins in Aracena and leads through the surrounding hills to Linares de la Sierra. We return via the wooded slopes of La Molinilla, passing through forests of oak and chestnut along the way. 

The province of Huelva has a mining history stretching back thousands of years. Today’s walks explore the distinctive landscape around Rio Tinto, where riverside trails, forest paths and peaceful orange groves contrast with the area’s remarkable industrial heritage. We will pass by an active mine and enjoy a stop at a viewpoint on the way to the start of our walk. 

Option 1: El Campillo to Rio Tinto 

Distance: 5.5 miles (9 km) 
Ascent: 1,000 feet (300 m) 
Descent: 1,000 feet (300 m) 

Starting in El Campillo, we follow quiet trails towards Rio Tinto. Our route takes us beside orange groves and through areas of woodland, offering a gentler introduction to this striking landscape. 

Option 2: Rio Tinto Mining Village and the Orange Groves 

Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km) 
Ascent: 1,050 feet (320 m) 
Descent: 1,050 feet (320 m) 

Our longer circular route begins in the mining village of Rio Tinto and passes through extensive orange groves. The varied trail follows riverbanks and forest paths, with sections along quiet lanes and among the orange trees. 

Today’s destination is Almonaster la Real, an attractive hill town in the heart of the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park. Its historic centre is crowned by a 9th-century castle-fortress and the church-mosque of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción. 

The surrounding landscape is equally rewarding, with grazing pastures, chestnut groves and woodlands filled with cork and holm oak. 

Option 1: Calabazares to Almonaster la Real 

Distance: 3.5 miles (6 km) 
Ascent: 750 feet (240 m) 
Descent: 350 feet (100 m) 

Starting in Calabazares, we head west through the peaceful countryside towards Almonaster la Real. The route finishes beneath the town’s historic hilltop castle and church-mosque. 

Option 2: The Countryside Around Almonaster la Real 

Distance: 8 miles (13 km) 
Ascent: 1,250 feet (380 m) 
Descent: 1,250 feet (380 m) 

Our longer circular walk explores the pastures and woodland surrounding Almonaster la Real. Along the way, we pass cork and holm oaks, chestnut groves and areas filled with poplar, willow, myrtle and rockrose. 

Today is free for you to relax at the hotel or explore Aracena at your own pace. 

You may like to visit the Gruta de las Maravillas, an impressive cave system filled with underground lakes and dramatic rock formations (open daily, although special schedules may apply on certain holidays. Entrance fee applies). Alternatively, walk up to Aracena Castle (entrance fee applies) for panoramic views over the surrounding hills or stroll through the town’s whitewashed streets and traditional squares. 

You could also visit the Ham Museum (entrance fee applies) to learn more about the area’s cured-meat heritage or sample local specialities such as Ibérico ham and chestnut-based dishes. For a more restful day, make the most of the hotel’s terraces, pool or spa facilities. Additional charges may apply. 

Dense woodland covers much of the Sierra de Aracena, nourished by a humid climate influenced by the Atlantic. Oak and chestnut trees line the trails, while the surrounding pastures are home to grazing cattle and native black Ibérico pigs. 

 Both options explore the countryside between Aracena and Corteconcepción, passing through a landscape shaped by traditional farming and the region’s celebrated food heritage. 

Option 1: Corteconcepción to Aracena 

Distance: 3.7 miles (6 km) 
Ascent: 350 feet (107 m) 
Descent: 350 feet (107 m) 

Starting in Corteconcepción, we follow shaded paths through the wooded hills towards Aracena. This shorter route offers an easy-going way to enjoy the oak and chestnut forests characteristic of the natural park. 

Option 2: Aracena and Corteconcepción 

Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km) 
Ascent: 805 feet (246 m) 
Descent: 805 feet (246 m) 

Our longer circular walk heads north from Aracena through peaceful woodland and traditional pastureland. After passing through Corteconcepción, we return to Aracena by a different route through the surrounding hills. 

Today we journey west to explore the villages and fertile countryside around Alájar and Fuenteheridos. Natural springs have long supported the area’s orchards and market gardens, creating a green landscape of small fields, woodland and traditional villages. 

Option 1: The Market Gardens of Fuenteheridos 

Distance: 4.3 miles (7 km) 
Ascent: 820 feet (250 m) 
Descent: 820 feet (250 m) 

Our shorter walk leads towards Fuenteheridos through a fertile landscape shaped by the area’s plentiful springs. We pass orchards before arriving in this attractive whitewashed village. 

Option 2: Alájar to Los Marines 

Distance: 7.5 miles (12 km) 
Ascent: 985 feet (300 m) 
Descent: 985 feet (300 m) 

Starting in Alájar, our longer route passes the viewpoint at Peña de Arias Montano, overlooking the surrounding hills and villages. We then continue through the wooded countryside before finishing in Los Marines.

Transfer from Aracena to Faro Airport for your flight back to the UK. The journey takes approximately 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes by road.