Welcome to Hooked on Walking holidays and our walking holidays in Spain. This hiking vacation in Andalusia is in a small regional National Park known as the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche. This walking holiday is available as a level 2-3 self guided walking tour. The  Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche is the second largest Natural Park of Andalucía (declared a Natural Park in 1989 and recently awarded the European Charter for Sustainable tourism), lying in the north of Huelva province, which in turn is the most westerly province of Andalucía, not far indeed from the Portuguese border. With only 40,000 inhabitants scattered over its 3.000 square kilometres it is probably one of the least known and visited of all the parks in Andalucia and you’ll be surprised by the lush vegetation almost all year round, the profusion of wild flowers through the spring months and wild mushrooms, rainfall and weather dependent, found in masses given the right conditions in autumn.

The rolling hills and white villages offer wonderful walking opportunities. The character of the villages has changed little over the centuries, their history reflected in their architecture and the landscape surrounding them. On walks you pass along Roman cobbled tracks, glimpsing abandoned watermills and ancient hill forts left by the Moors. You can still see mules which plough small allotments, hear the ringing of goat bells among the oaks and chestnuts, and the bubbling of the many streams and springs which abound in these hills. Many of these tracks are accompanied by the ancient arabian water system “acequia” and where frequently used during the Spanish Civil War and after to smuggle goods into Spain from Portugal.

Herds of the black Iberian pig grazing among the groves of cork and holm (Quercus Suber and Ilex) oak are a common sight, where in autumn they feast on the falling acorns and the area is rich in visible bird life with an important population of black vultures. Other raptors are common and include the Golden, Short-toed and Bonelli’s eagles. You can see stork’s nests on almost every village church as well as the endangered black stork, and as you wander along the streams, sightings of heron and egrets are common.

Available daily March to November
Level 2-3 self guided tour

Day 1 Arrival in Alájar
Arrival in Alájar where you will be welcomed by your hosts Lucy and Angel to their homely recently refurbished Posada.

Day 2 Alájar.
We offer you a choice of 2 circular walks, either a 3 hour walk gently climbing the sierra behind the village to take in the views, visiting the hermitage and through the impressive chestnut forests. Or following the picturesque stream south through a dramatic gorge with superb rock formations opening out into the dehesa of cork and holm oaks (5.5hr).before returning back for a delicious 3 course meal at La Posada

Day 3 Almonaster
Leaving Alájar we head west towards Almonaster along the stream valley populated with oleander, poplar and ferns, passing through several small villages on the way.
Almonaster boasts an interesting islamic history with a beautiful tiny 9^th century mosque (only rural mosque preserved in Spain) well worth a detour. (5hr).

Day 4 Galaroza.
Skirting the second highest peak in the Sierra we head up and north towards Galaroza surrounded by sweet chestnut forest abound with wild peonies in Spring, enjoying marvelous views towards the coast and inland. (6hr).

Day 5 Fuenteheridos.
Again heading north you will walk through Cork and holm oak forests before dropping down into a medieval village. Heading South you will walk along a delightful river valley through another typical white village before gently dropping into the lively village of Fuentheridos.(6hr)

Day 6 Alájar.
The final walk takes us through pretty allotments abound with citrus, quince, pomegranate and strawberry trees. The climb over the sierra is well worth the vistas on your way down into Linares and then the final pull to return back to Alájar for your final night. (5hr)

Day 7 Departure
After breakfast departure to Seville or continue your vacation in Andalusia.

Difficulty: Level 2-3 with walks between 5-6 hours.

Accommodation: 2 star rural Spanish hotels.

What is Included 6 nights Bed & Breakfast 2 Star Rural Hotels Route Instructions 2 Dinners Information Pack Luggage Transfers Welcome meeting   Extras Single Rooms Transport before and after tour. Public transport Flights Travel Insurance

2010 Prices

Tour Code HOWARAC Price per persons based on 2 persons sharing double room £404 Single person Not Available

How to get there
By plane to Seville airport and then by bus to Aracena and onto Alajar. A taxi transfer can be booked and is in the region of 120€ for up to 4 persons and paid locally.

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Cycling Holidays in Spain

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