National Park

National Park Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche

In the far west of the Sierra Morena mountain range, in the north of the province of Huelva, lies the
Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park.

The Park is characterised by its extensive forests, relatively high rainfall, mild climate and
interesting natural and cultural heritage.

Thanks to the vast expanses of green pastures, ideal for keeping Iberian pigs, the resulting pork
industry represents an important part of the economy for many villages, such as Cumbres Mayores
and Jabugo. Try some of this wonderful pork, and discover the region and the history of the ham at
the Museo del Jamón in Aracena.

The landscape depends on the altitude and rainfall. Meadows full of oak trees are substituted in
other areas by cork-oak forests, while in the highest parts there are Pyrenean Oak forests, as in
Solana de los Bonales.

Around the villages of Fuenteheridos, Galaroza and Castaño del Robledo, chestnut trees
predominate. Along most of the rivers, like the Múrtigas, there are riverine forests with an
abundance of tall trees, such as the black poplar, ash, willow and alder, as well as blackberries and
climbing plants. The banks of these rivers are an ideal place to rest and relax.

These diverse forest environments are home to an interesting variety of wildlife. In the Park you
can see mammals such as the Egyptian mongoose and the elusive otter. There are also many
types of birds, such as vultures and storks, which you can see hovering in the air above the Park.
A good way to discover these natural features is to go hiking on the marked routes or follow the
tracks on a peaceful horse ride.

Not to be missed are the local villages and their interesting heritage. You can visit the monuments
of Almonaster la Real, with its castle, church and mosque, Cortegana Castle, one of the best
preserved in the region, and the fort of Sancho IV in Cumbres Mayores. Another option is the Gruta
de Las Maravillas in Aracena, or the Peña de Arias Montano in Alájar, two very interesting natural
sights to see.

The regional cuisine is tasty and varied: game, goats cheese, pork and of course, chestnuts
cooked in many different ways. Another local culinary product is the wild mushrooms, attracting
many mycology enthusiasts each year. They come to events and courses to learn how to
recognise the wild mushrooms and their properties, and you can try them in many bars and
restaurants during the mushroom season.