Route through the Sierra de Huelva in three parts and three days.
Welcome to the route that will take you through impressive landscapes, charming villages and a rich history in the province of Huelva.

Punta Umbría:
We begin our trip in this beautiful coastal town, known for its golden beaches and delicious seafood cuisine.
The town, surrounded by pine forests owes its origin to a tower called Punta de Umbría, which was built in the 14th century to warn of possible invasions. In summer, the so-called "canoes" operate, which link Punta Umbría with Huelva.
The Urban Beach of Punta Umbría is, without a doubt, one of the most visited destinations on the Huelva coast. With its 3.65 kilometres in length and a width of 50 metres, it is one of the best equipped in terms of services.
Within its area is the Natural Area of the Marismas del Odiel. Paraje Natural de los Enebrales de Punta Umbría, two natural spaces of great ecological interest.

Huelva:
Capital of the province, Huelva will surprise you with its mix of tradition and modernity. The capital is a coastal and seafaring city that looks out to the ocean, nestled between the Tinto and Odiel rivers.
The places of interest to discover in this city are the churches of La Concepción, San Pedro, the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora de la Merced and those related to Columbus and the Discovery: the Columbian Places form a route, declared a Historic-Artistic Site, which runs around Moguer and Palos de la Frontera, Andalusian places that were especially important in the preparation and realization of Christopher Columbus' first voyage and the discovery of America.
Among the essential visits on this route are the Monastery of La Rábida, the Muelle de las Carabelas, where the replicas of the Pinta, the Niña and the Santa María are found and the Casa-Museo de los Hermanos Pinzón are located.

San Juan del Puerto:
A quiet town with a charming historic centre and a parish church worth visiting.
Its municipal area is located within the so-called Tierra Llana de Huelva, with important areas of marsh and estuaries from the Tinto River. Located on the old roads between Huelva and Seville, at the same crossroads towards Portugal and Badajoz. It is located 11 km from the capital of Huelva.

Lucena del Puerto:
Town belonging to the Condado region in the middle of a landscape of fertile lands dedicated mainly to the cultivation of cereals, olive trees, vineyards, fruit and vegetables. It also has an area of environmental interest, the Pilar de Santa Catalina. As a monument of interest, the Convento de la Luz can be noted. Known for its wines and its rich agricultural tradition, this town will welcome you with open arms.

Rociana del Condado:
The municipality is located in the central core of the Condado region. Its heritage is rich in both religious and industrial architecture, which is why Rociana has been classified as a Historic-Artistic Site since 2002. Its narrow streets crisscross around the Church of San Bartolomé, whose slender tower can be seen from all over the countryside. Rociana's festivals have, above all, a highly religious content. We can find festivals such as Holy Week which, although austere, stands out for the devotion and contemplation existing in the three brotherhoods that parade. The Cruces de Mayo parade through the streets of the town, reaching the culminating moment with the traditional "cabezás" or greetings from one cross to another.

Bollullos Par del Condado:
Enjoy traditional Andalusian architecture and try its exquisite local wines. It is located in the province of Huelva, Andalusia. It has a constantly growing population of 14,150 inhabitants and an area of 50 km.
Its economy is based mainly on agriculture (vineyards, olive groves and strawberries), although it is also worth mentioning the importance of the wine industry and the growing boom in the service sector.


Nerva:
A mining and cultured land in the heart of the Iberian Pyrite Belt of Huelva. Bathed by a river of reddish waters, which sounds like a pasodoble and is fond of the plastic arts.
Nerva is located in the northeastern half of the province of Huelva, its municipal area is made up of a group of mountain ranges of considerable altitude, where the following stand out: Sierras de la Gargantilla, Puerto La Chaparra, Sierra Padre Caro and Sierra del Jabatal. In general, the area increases in height from South to North, developing a fairly rugged topography, with the highest point at the Pico de Padre Caro, at 695 metres.
The geology of this territory is dominated by slate and gravel, deposited approximately 250-300 million years ago, associated with very ancient metamorphosis processes and volcanism phenomena, which give rise to the veins and mineral deposits that have made these lands rich and famous.

La Dehesa:
In 1873 the Rio Tinto Company Limited (RTC) acquired the Riotinto mines, initiating an expansion of mining activities in the area. This led to a considerable increase in the labour needed to carry out the work and, consequently, an increase in the population. Between 1883 and 1888, a series of newly created workers' villages were created to house the immigrants who were arriving in the area: La Dehesa being one of them.

Gossan Reservoir:
The Gossan-Cobre dam is located on the Rejondillo stream. The reservoir is accessed via the A-461 regional road that links the towns of Minas de Riotinto and Campofrío. This road divides the reservoir in two, the western half being called Gossan and the eastern half Cobre. The reservoir has for decades collected waste from the industrial complex of the famous Riotinto mines and it is clear to see which half collects the waste water as it is coloured red.
A little further on is the smaller Campofrío Reservoir, whose dam, being built in 1883 is the oldest in the province of Huelva. The area around this dam is dominated by reforestation of stone pines. Its construction was made possible thanks to the influx of foreign capital into the development of mining activity in Huelva, which forced water to be reserved for industrial purposes.

Zufre and Zufre Reservoir:
Its town centre, with similar characteristics to the rest of the mountain range, is a very beautiful complex, which has led to its classification as a Site of Cultural Interest, as well as the Church of Santa Maria, the Hermitage of Santa Zita, the Humilladero de San Sebastián and the beautiful Town Hall. From its square-viewpoint there is a splendid panoramic view of the Zufre Reservoir. The reservoir is a young construction (it was inaugurated in 1987) that collects the waters of the Rivera de Huelva below the Aracena dam. It is the largest on this river, with about 100 km of banks to explore within the Natural Park of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, in an area where birds of prey reign. A beautiful place perfect for hiking, relaxing and fishing.

Santa Olalla del Cala:
Visit this medieval town with a well-preserved historic centre and impressive views.
Located in the foothills of Sierra Morena, bordering those of Seville and Badajoz, within the Natural Park of the Sierra de Aracena and the Picos de Aroche, one of the most important protected areas with its pastures and small elevations covered predominantly, by forests of oaks, cork oaks, chestnut trees and scrubland, where numerous streams run, forming a landscape of extraordinary beauty and appeal. The Castle of Santa Olalla del Cala was ordered to be built by Sancho IV the Brave in 1293. Its construction, contemporaneous with that of the castle of Cumbres Mayores, meant the consolidation of a defensive line on the border in the western foothills of Sierra Morena, known as the Banda Gallega. From the remains of its Castle you can see a splendid panoramic view of the town and the surrounding landscape.

Castañuelo:
This small town is located next to the ravine, which bears the same name as the village. Its houses, which alternate between whitewash and stone, are arranged in steps along the terrain. Its popular architecture and urban planning, characteristic of the Sierra de Aracena, are noteworthy, as are the mills and dams. I have suggested a lunch stop here in this beautiful town.


Aracena:
This is where this route ends. Its Cultural Heritage including the famous and imposing Aracena Castle, which dates back to the 13th century and the Gruta de las Maravillas, an underground cave with unique geological formations that dazzle visitors are just two of the delights of this town.

Gastronomy:
In Aracena, you cannot miss trying its delicious Iberian ham, recognized worldwide for its exceptional flavor and quality. The Museo del Jamón is a museum dedicated to this famous product. The local gastronomy also stands out for traditional dishes such as picadillo soup or scrambled eggs with tagarninas, which will make you taste authentic mountain cuisine.

Architecture and Cobbled Streets:
Walking through the cobbled streets of Aracena is a real pleasure for lovers of traditional Andalusian architecture, with white houses, flowery patios and charming corners.
The Priory Church of the Castle and the Convent of Carmen are outstanding examples of religious architecture that are worth visiting.

Nature and Hiking:
Surrounded by a privileged natural environment, Aracena is the ideal starting point to explore the Natural Park with hiking routes that will take you to spectacular places. The Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park offers the opportunity to enjoy nature in its purest form, with lush forests, crystal-clear rivers and native fauna.

Festivals and Traditions:
During the patron saint festivals in honour of the Virgin del Mayor Dolor in September, Aracena is filled with colour, music and celebrations that reflect the joy and local tradition. Don't miss Holy Week in Aracena, a religious celebration with solemn processions and popular fervour that show the devotion of the Aracena people.
In short, Aracena is a complete tourist destination that combines cultural heritage, exquisite gastronomy, impressive nature and deep-rooted traditions in a welcoming and picturesque atmosphere.

If you decide to stay an extra night in Aracena you could explore the surrounding area.
Distributed throughout the area of Aracena, we find six small villages that maintain the essence of life in the past, each with its own idiosyncrasy and peculiarity and are well worth visiting:
Carboneras, Castañuelo and Corterrangel are a few Km to the north and can all be visited together and Jabuguillo, La Umbría and Valdezufre are just a few Km to the south.