Smugglers Trails of the Sierra de Aracena - 8 Days

5.0Based on

Carbon neutral

8 daysDuration

Private TourPrivate experience, no group joining

20 peopleMaximum group size

18 - 99 yearsAge range for participants

EnglishGuide language

Moderate

Involves sustained activity requiring a reasonable level of fitness and endurance.

Starts

Aracena, Spain

Ends

Alájar, Spain

Highlights

Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park

Historic white villages

Moorish Forts and ancient Arabic Acequia

The Gruta de Las Maravillas (Cave of Wonders)

Natural habitat of the Iberian Pig

Itinerary

Step off the tourist trail and into the lush, storied landscapes of Spain’s Sierra de Aracena with the 'Smugglers Trails of the Sierra de Aracena – 8 Days' walking tour. This self-guided trek immerses you in a world of rolling hills, white villages, and oak forests, where old Roman roads and secret paths once used by smugglers crisscross the countryside.

Winding through the Natural Park of Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, you’ll encounter Moorish forts, ancient water systems, and bustling birdlife—including black vultures and rare raptors. The area’s rich history comes alive as you walk past abandoned mills, herds of Iberian pigs, and villages with centuries-old traditions. The region is also famed for its gourmet wild mushrooms and rural tranquility, far removed from the bustle of mainstream Andalucía.

Each day’s moderate walk is complemented by comfortable accommodations and hearty local cuisine, making this trip as much about cultural immersion as it is about natural beauty.

The unique selling point of this tour package is its authenticity: you’ll walk in the footsteps of smugglers and villagers, discovering a side of Spain few outsiders ever see. Perfect for travelers seeking history, nature, and a dash of adventure.

day 1 - Arrive Aracena

Make your own way to Aracena. Time permitting a wander around this lively market town, a visit to the “Gruta de las Maravillas (“cave of wonders”) and a guided tour around the Jamón museum will give you some insight on the journey you are about to undertake.

Accommodation:You will be staying two nights in a recently converted mill, which has been tastefully decorated in a rustic style with wonderful little touches. All rooms are ensuite and have air conditioning/heating. Free WIFI.

day 2 - Aracena Circular walk via Corteconcepción - 11 km/6.8 miles, 3-4 h

An easy to moderate morning walk taking in a good example of the area with tracks meandering through small holdings and then the pretty countryside to Corteconcepción. A good place to stop for a breather is up at the church with memorable views across to the reservoir. The return journey begins on a lovely ancient cobbled path which converts into a vehicle track for a couple of kilometres, which makes walking easy before reaching the road taking you back into Aracena. You can spend the rest of the day visiting Aracena and the caves.

Meals:Breakfast

day 3 - Aracena to Galaroza - 17.5 km/10.8 miles, 6 h

A great day’s walk taking you through thoroughly varied countryside. The route mainly follows the GR43.1, the original path that everybody used to connect village to village. You begin through well kept chestnut plantations which changes into cork oak woods, olive groves and also vineyards before you reach Los Marines. You walk through two villages, Los Marines and Fuenteheridos which both have bars in for refreshments. Galaroza is situated in the river Múrtiga valley providing an abundance of water and a thick canopy of vegetation, which has provided a great carpentry tradition in the village. Along the steep and cobbled streets you can find the typical whitewashed houses usually bedecked with flowers. A walk up the hill that dominates the village will take you to the hermitage of Saint Brigit (Ermita de Santa Brígida) patron saint of the vine and all fruit trees. You get a great panoramic view from the top of the village and around.

Accommodation:You stay two nights in a 2 star hotel, with good views of the surrounding mountains. All rooms are ensuite, have air conditioning/heating and free WIFI. The hotel has its own restaurant and a swimming pool.

Meals:Breakfast

day 4 - Circular Walk Galaroza - Valdelarco return 13.5 km/8.4 miles, 4-4.5 h

This walk provides a vary varied scenery, passing through small holdings, cork oak forest, mixed woodland and the small town of Valedelarco. This includes the Navahermoso barranco - a glorious river walk where there is plenty of bird life.

After heavy rain the streams may be quite high and there are a couple of crossings that don’t have bridges, but are fords or stepping stones so you may need to take your boots off when crossing. Valdelarco is an interesting village dating back to Roman times and had its own Jewish Quarter or ghetto. Today it has only a couple of bars.

Meals:Breakfast

day 5 - Galaroza to Alajar -14.5 km/9 miles, 4.5-5 h

Heading to Alájar today you walk to the highest village of the Sierra, Castaño del Robledo which boasts two large churches. The first stage of the walk takes you up the valley to Castaño del Robledo along the Rivera de Jabugo, an area of special interest due to the flora and fauna found along the walk. From there you descend to the outskirts of Santa Ana before heading east to Alájar. It’s one of our favourites, along the valley amongst ancient cork and holm oaks. Life in Alájar revolves around its squares and its narrow cobbled streets radiate outwards from there. Many houses in Alájar have their own unique cobbled thresholds and there are many well-preserved houses here with architectural elements typical of the Sierra.

Accommodation:You stay 3 nights at a European Eco-label accredited small hotel. All the rooms are ensuite and have large south facing terraces overlooking the dining terrace, garden and swimming pool. There is under floor heating for the winter months and cooling system for the summer months. Each room is unique and is tastefully furnished with antique furniture. The upstairs lounge has a small bar open to guests and there is WiFi.

Meals:Breakfast

day 6 - Peak Loop - 11.8 km /7.3 miles, 4 h

The Peña de Arias Montano and its bell tower are the 2nd most visited sites in the park, after the caves in Aracena. This walk takes you up to the Peña and beyond where the views to the south are fantastic. On a clear day you can see the sun reflecting on the sea on the coastline of Huelva. You will visit three viewpoints on the walk but with a couple of shorter options if you prefer to take it a bit easier. The walk through the chestnut groves which are abound with wild peonies in April and May is well worth the climb though!

Meals:Breakfast

day 7 - Alájar 10.2 km /6.3 miles, 3.5 h

One of the prettiest cicular walks in the area, following the country path, once cobbled, to the almost abandoned Madroñeros, a tiny hamlet which throws you back in time as you can imagine how people lived until quite recently in humble houses without running water or electricity. The inhabitants moved to Alájar and Linares when running water was supplied to each house in these villages in the mid seventies. Linares de La Sierra is another fine example of a sierra village almost suspended in time with its narrow cobbled streets and the intricate stone “door mats” outside the front doors; originally done to distinguish the front door from the side door, which was the entrance for animals. The return walk to Alájar on the northern route involves a short steep climb before descending along the rivera de Alájar to return to the village.

Meals:Breakfast

day 8 - Tour ends after breakfast.

You will be transferred to Aracena (included in the tour price), from where you will take the bus to Seville. Breakfast is included in the morning (with an option for breakfast takeaway for your onward journey).

Meals:Breakfast

Smugglers Trails of the Sierra de Aracena - 8 Days

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What's Included

Accommodation

7 nights accommodation in a mixture of hotels and inns on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities

Meals

7 breakfasts

Transport

Transfer to Aracena at the end of the tour

Others

Luggage transferDigital information pack including Navigational AppEmergency hotline

What's Excluded

Customer Reviews

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5.0

based on 3 reviews

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