PARQUE NATURAL SIERRA DE ARACENA Y PICOS DE AROCHE
Huelva - Andalucía
4 nIGHTS - 3 Days riding
Located in the far west of the Sierra Morena Mountains, in the north of the province of Huelva, the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park is characterized by its extensive forest, high rainfall, mild climate and interesting natural and cultural heritage.
The extensive areas of pastureland in this mountain area has favoured the rearing of Iberian pigs, and the resulting industry (pork products) that is at the centre of the economies of villages such as Cumbres Mayores and Jabugo. Before leaving you should try the exquisite cured meats here, and of course the Huelva Designation of Origin ham. You can discover all the region's cured meat producing history at the Ham Museum in Aracena.
The landscape varies according to altitude and rainfall. The pastureland with holm oaks are replaced by cork forest in some areas, while in the highest areas there are Pyrenean oak woods, as in Solana de los Bonales. Meanwhile, in villages such as Fuenteheridos, Galaroza and Castaño del Robledo, the predominant tree is the chestnut. Along rivers like the Múrtigas there are riverine forests with an abundance of large trees like black poplar, ash, willow and alder, along with brambles and creepers. These riverbank locations are ideal to rest and relax.
This variety of forest environments is home to an interesting array of wildlife. Inside the Park you can see mammals such as the Egyptian mongoose, genet and the evasive otter. There is also a wide variety of bird life: you can see birds including vultures, kites and black storks in flight above the park. A good way to discover all these natural attractions is walking on the signposted trails or going on a peaceful horse riding route.
Not to be missed either 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 conserved in the region, and the fortress of Sancho IV in Cumbres Mayores. Another option is to visit Las Maravillas Cave in Aracena or Peña de Arias Montano Peak in Alájar, two highly interesting natural attractions.
The regional gastronomy is also delicious and varied: game, goat's cheese, cured meats and, of course, chestnuts prepared in many different ways. Another local culinary product, the wild mushroom, attracts mycology enthusiasts every year. They come to events and courses to learn how to recognize these fungi and their properties, and you can savour them in many places during the mushroom season.
4 nIGHTS - 3 Days riding
Located in the far west of the Sierra Morena Mountains, in the north of the province of Huelva, the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park is characterized by its extensive forest, high rainfall, mild climate and interesting natural and cultural heritage.
The extensive areas of pastureland in this mountain area has favoured the rearing of Iberian pigs, and the resulting industry (pork products) that is at the centre of the economies of villages such as Cumbres Mayores and Jabugo. Before leaving you should try the exquisite cured meats here, and of course the Huelva Designation of Origin ham. You can discover all the region's cured meat producing history at the Ham Museum in Aracena.
The landscape varies according to altitude and rainfall. The pastureland with holm oaks are replaced by cork forest in some areas, while in the highest areas there are Pyrenean oak woods, as in Solana de los Bonales. Meanwhile, in villages such as Fuenteheridos, Galaroza and Castaño del Robledo, the predominant tree is the chestnut. Along rivers like the Múrtigas there are riverine forests with an abundance of large trees like black poplar, ash, willow and alder, along with brambles and creepers. These riverbank locations are ideal to rest and relax.
This variety of forest environments is home to an interesting array of wildlife. Inside the Park you can see mammals such as the Egyptian mongoose, genet and the evasive otter. There is also a wide variety of bird life: you can see birds including vultures, kites and black storks in flight above the park. A good way to discover all these natural attractions is walking on the signposted trails or going on a peaceful horse riding route.
Not to be missed either 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 conserved in the region, and the fortress of Sancho IV in Cumbres Mayores. Another option is to visit Las Maravillas Cave in Aracena or Peña de Arias Montano Peak in Alájar, two highly interesting natural attractions.
The regional gastronomy is also delicious and varied: game, goat's cheese, cured meats and, of course, chestnuts prepared in many different ways. Another local culinary product, the wild mushroom, attracts mycology enthusiasts every year. They come to events and courses to learn how to recognize these fungi and their properties, and you can savour them in many places during the mushroom season.
The Andalusian horse is
spirited, strong, temperamental and of unquestionable courage. The counterpoint
of these qualities is its docility, being a very sensitive horse, obedient and
easy to handle. The Andalusian horse possesses, through inheritance, a measured
and balanced command of its movements and it is a delight to ride
Trip
summary
Moderate inn-to-inn ride
Best time to visit: Best dates to ride are from the month of October to May. Very pleasant temperatures and sunshine over the winter months and early spring.
Trip length: 3 days - 4 nights - 3 days riding. Distance covered 55 miles /90kms.
Group size: Minimum 5 riders - Maximum 10-12 riders.
Airport: Seville.
Riding ability: Intermediate to experienced. Reasonably fit riders.
Horses: Andalusian, Hispano-Arab and Anglo-Arab. Excellent horses, strong, very well-trained, responsive, sure footed, fit and fun to ride. They are very well schooled, with training in dressage, show-jumping and cross-country. They participate in eventing clinics and TREC competitions,
Pace of the ride: The pace of the ride is moderate to fast, with many opportunities for good trots and canters. The terrain is excellent, with predominantly sandy tracks in the pine forests and good terrain when riding though the “dehesas” (oaks land and pastures) and the private estates.
Time in the saddle: From 4 and ½ to 6 hours (one day).
Languages: English, French, Spanish .
Climate: The climate in this part of Spain is nearly tropical. Winter months are strongly recommended - with gentle temperatures, maximum 18 - 22ºC and minimum temperatures at 8-10ºC. Average days of rain in the February – March – November months is 5 days per month.
Your hosts and guides: Sevilla’s rides are lead by Alfonso, the owner of the stables in Sevilla – la Corbera. They are knowledgeable, qualified, hospitable and terrific travel companions. The assistant guides and helpers are enthusiastic, motivated, attentive and charming.
Out attention to the detail is outstanding. We go as far as we can to anticipate all the little things that can make a difference. We have a lot of repeat guests that come back every year. We can give you direct references of riders from many different parts of the world.
Bookings: please contact us at [email protected] // [email protected]
The selection of the accommodation and the service in every aspect of the ride is of outstanding quality.
Best time to visit: Best dates to ride are from the month of October to May. Very pleasant temperatures and sunshine over the winter months and early spring.
Trip length: 3 days - 4 nights - 3 days riding. Distance covered 55 miles /90kms.
Group size: Minimum 5 riders - Maximum 10-12 riders.
Airport: Seville.
Riding ability: Intermediate to experienced. Reasonably fit riders.
Horses: Andalusian, Hispano-Arab and Anglo-Arab. Excellent horses, strong, very well-trained, responsive, sure footed, fit and fun to ride. They are very well schooled, with training in dressage, show-jumping and cross-country. They participate in eventing clinics and TREC competitions,
Pace of the ride: The pace of the ride is moderate to fast, with many opportunities for good trots and canters. The terrain is excellent, with predominantly sandy tracks in the pine forests and good terrain when riding though the “dehesas” (oaks land and pastures) and the private estates.
Time in the saddle: From 4 and ½ to 6 hours (one day).
Languages: English, French, Spanish .
Climate: The climate in this part of Spain is nearly tropical. Winter months are strongly recommended - with gentle temperatures, maximum 18 - 22ºC and minimum temperatures at 8-10ºC. Average days of rain in the February – March – November months is 5 days per month.
Your hosts and guides: Sevilla’s rides are lead by Alfonso, the owner of the stables in Sevilla – la Corbera. They are knowledgeable, qualified, hospitable and terrific travel companions. The assistant guides and helpers are enthusiastic, motivated, attentive and charming.
Out attention to the detail is outstanding. We go as far as we can to anticipate all the little things that can make a difference. We have a lot of repeat guests that come back every year. We can give you direct references of riders from many different parts of the world.
Bookings: please contact us at [email protected] // [email protected]
The selection of the accommodation and the service in every aspect of the ride is of outstanding quality.
Day-by-day itinerary
DAY 1: LA UMBRIA – PUERTO MORAL - FUENTEHERIDOS
We leave the country house where we’re staying and will ride through farm land until we arrive at the village of Puerto Moral, we shall surround it and go up an ancient roman paved road. We’ll continue towards Fuenteheridos and have the aperitivo in a lovely fran of chesnuts. We keep on in the same direction and have lunch in the middle of the countyside. We’ll ride on after lunch until we arrive at our friends Hermione. The ride finishies there the first day and the horses will stay overnight in her fields.
We leave the country house where we’re staying and will ride through farm land until we arrive at the village of Puerto Moral, we shall surround it and go up an ancient roman paved road. We’ll continue towards Fuenteheridos and have the aperitivo in a lovely fran of chesnuts. We keep on in the same direction and have lunch in the middle of the countyside. We’ll ride on after lunch until we arrive at our friends Hermione. The ride finishies there the first day and the horses will stay overnight in her fields.
DAY 2: FUENTEHERIDOS – PEÑA DE ARIAS
MONTANO – ARACENA
We leave Hermione’s land and take the direction of the lovely village of Alajar. On the way there we will climb up the famous “Peña de Arias Montano” where the aperitivo will be served. We will see Alajar from the crag which is an amazing view. We’ll continue towards Aracena and once we go through it we will take “el camino del Rebollar” (Rebollar’s track). After lunch we keep on the track until we arrive back at el Molino
We leave Hermione’s land and take the direction of the lovely village of Alajar. On the way there we will climb up the famous “Peña de Arias Montano” where the aperitivo will be served. We will see Alajar from the crag which is an amazing view. We’ll continue towards Aracena and once we go through it we will take “el camino del Rebollar” (Rebollar’s track). After lunch we keep on the track until we arrive back at el Molino
DAY 3: LA UMBRIA – HIGUERA DE LA SIERRA –
PANTANO DE ARACENA
We leave El Molino and will follow a “calleja” (an old pathway for livestock). We’ll ride through the farms “La Huerta del Llano” and “El Vaquero”. We’ll be riding through forest of cork oaks, holm oaks and chestnuts. El Vaquero has an impressive waterfall where we’ll have the traditional aperitivo. We keep on until we arrive at the magnificent Pantano de Aracena, one of the biggest reservoirs in Sapin. Lunch by the side of the reservoir.
We leave El Molino and will follow a “calleja” (an old pathway for livestock). We’ll ride through the farms “La Huerta del Llano” and “El Vaquero”. We’ll be riding through forest of cork oaks, holm oaks and chestnuts. El Vaquero has an impressive waterfall where we’ll have the traditional aperitivo. We keep on until we arrive at the magnificent Pantano de Aracena, one of the biggest reservoirs in Sapin. Lunch by the side of the reservoir.
