- Region: Andalucia
- Province: Huelva
- Declared a Natural Park: 1989
- Park surface area: 186,827 hectares
- Towns and villages Alajar, Almonaster La Real, Aracena, Aroche, Arroyomolinos de Leon, Cala, Cañaveral de Leon, Castaño del Robledo, Corteconcepcion, Cortegana, Cortelazor, Cumbres de Enmedio, Cumbres de San Bartolome, Cumbres Mayores, Encinasola, Fuenteheridos, Galaroza, Higuera de La Sierra, Hinojales, Jabugo, Linares de La Sierra, Marines (los), Nava (la), Puerto-moral, Santa Ana La Real, Santa Olalla del Cala, Valdelarco, Zufre
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 characterised by its extensive forest, high rainfall, mild climate and interesting natural and cultural heritage.
A brief introduction to Aracena from me (Clive)
In this episode of Wildside Holidays, Clive takes you deep into Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche, one of Andalusia’s largest and most biodiverse natural parks. Nestled in the province of Huelva, this lush landscape features rolling hills, ancient chestnut and oak forests, and a rich mix of wildlife—from wild boar to black storks.
Explore the park’s cultural gems, including Jabugo’s world-famous ham, the underground wonder of Grutas de las Maravillas, and the ancient mining history of Riotinto. Whether you’re a hiker, birdwatcher, or cultural explorer, this region offers something for everyone.
Tours from Seville
If you are staying in the city of Seville then there are a few options to visit Aracena and the Riotinto mines by organised tour.
Dense forest covers most of the park due to the humid climate which has an Atlantic influence. This is the western end of the Sierra de Morena mountain range, close to the Portuguese border. Oak and Chestnut are the main tree species with meadow pastures which are grazed by Ganado Bravo, fighting bulls. Cerdo Iberico, a breed of black pig from Iberia, is raised in the pastures and feeds on the acorns giving it a distinct flavour.
The village of Jabugo, one of the 28 within the park, produces world renowned Jamon Iberico products. The museum of ham in Aracena is well worth a visit. (Not for vegetarians though)
There are two reservoirs (Embalse) in the The Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park. The Embalse de Zufre and Embalse de Aracena.
Listen to the podcast about the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park
Walking Wild Spain: Sierra de Aracena & Hidden Andalusia
Explore the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park in southern Spain — a quiet corner of Andalusia filled with oak forests, mountain trails, and charming white villages. In this episode, we dive into local wildlife, top walking routes, and must-see spots like the Grutas de las Maravillas and Riotinto mines. Get practical travel tips, and discover how to explore this underrated region on foot. Plus, find out how Wildside Holidays connects you to other nature escapes across Spain, including Ronda, Cádiz, and the Caminito del Rey.
This video shows some of the scenery in the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park
Flora
Chestnut trees were encouraged here by the Romans and have established dense woodland. Oaks such as Cork (Quercus suber) and Gall (Q. faginea) grow better in the valleys and lower slopes. Poplars, Willows, Alders and Ash occupy river and stream banks. Stone pine (Pinus pinea) and Black pine (Pinus pinaster) have been planted as well as Eucalyptus. Scrub consists of Kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), Smilax (Smilex aspera), Turpentine tree (Pistacia terebinthus). Few Pyrenean oaks exist as they have been used for firewood over the last few decades.
Fauna
Some of the many bird species are Black stork, White stork, Golden, Spanish imperial, Booted eagles, Griffon, Egyptian, Black vultures, Lesser kestrel, Goshawk, Osprey, Black-winged, Black, Red kites, Marsh, Hen, Montagu’s harriers, Crane, Little bustard, Great spotted cuckoo, Red-necked nightjar.
Some colourful characters are Hoopoes, Azure-winged magpies, Bee-eaters, Golden orioles, Southern grey and Woodchat shrikes
Mammals include Wild boar, Fox, Badgers, Genet, Wild cat, Mongoose, Stone martin, Polecat, Weasel and introduced Red deer and Mouflon.
Also in the area
Grutas de las Maravillas (Website in Spanish here) is a limestone wonder with tremendous stalactites and stalagmites and more than 2km of caverns including 6 lakes. The entrance for visitors is in the town of Aracena which is also known for its 13thC Templar church and ruined castle.
If you are in Seville and want to visit the Maravillas cave in Aracena then a guided tour is available here.
The most ancient European copper mines are located south of the village of Riotinto. They were worked since Phoenician times and presently there is a fascinating museum and narrow gauge tourist train visiting the open cast mines. (Website here in Spanish)
Riotinto tour from Seville available at Get Your Guide.
Information/Visitors Centers
“Cabildo Viejo”, Plaza Alta, Aracena.
The Cabildo Viejo visitor centre is in the centre of Aracena and occupies a historic building erected in the 17th century. Its name stems from the fact that the building was also once the seat of Aracena’s first town council. The house’s size and beauty give us some idea of the historic importance of Aracena in this area. The interpretative exhibition inside the centre focuses largely on the heritage, traditional crafts and gastronomy of the Nature Park.
Aracena Tourist Office
The tourist office in Aracena has a very helpful set of staff and speak English. They can point you in the right direction whether you are looking for tickets for the cave, a tour of the ham museum or other attractions in the area. Just follow the signs in the town for “Oficina de Turismo“
Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park: In-Depth Visitor FAQ
The Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park is one of Andalusia’s largest and most biodiverse protected areas. Declared a Natural Park in 1989, it spans 186,827 hectares in the far west of the Sierra Morena Mountains, in northern Huelva province, near the Portuguese border. This lush region is known for dense forests, high rainfall, a mild Atlantic climate, and a strong blend of natural and cultural heritage. The park includes 28 towns and villages, including Aracena, Jabugo, and Cortegana.
This park sits at the western end of the Sierra Morena, where the Atlantic influence creates a humid, green landscape. It’s characterised by rolling hills, oak and chestnut forests, and pasturelands used to graze Ganado Bravo (fighting bulls) and the Cerdo Ibérico (Iberian black pig).
Key tree species include:
Chestnuts (encouraged by the Romans)
Cork oak (Quercus suber)
Gall oak (Q. faginea)
Riverbank trees: Poplars, Willows, Alders, Ash
Planted species: Stone pine, Black pine, Eucalyptus
Scrubland species: Kermes oak, Smilax, Turpentine tree
The park also features two reservoirs: Embalse de Zufre and Embalse de Aracena, which are vital water sources and habitats.
The park supports rich biodiversity, especially birdlife. Notable species include:
Birds of Prey
Golden eagle
Spanish imperial eagle
Booted eagle
Griffon, Egyptian, and Black vultures
Goshawk, Osprey
Black-winged, Red, and Black kites
Montagu’s, Marsh, and Hen harriers
Other Birds
Black and White storks
Little bustard
Great spotted cuckoo
Red-necked nightjar
Hoopoe, Bee-eater, Golden oriole
Azure-winged magpie
Shrikes (Southern grey, Woodchat)
Mammals
Wild boar, Fox, Genet, Badger
Wild cat, Egyptian mongoose, Stone marten, Polecat, Weasel
Introduced Red deer and Mouflon
Aracena
Home to the Grutas de las Maravillas, a spectacular cave system with over 2 km of chambers and underground lakes.
Also known for its 13th-century Templar church and ruined castle.
Jabugo
Famous worldwide for Jamón Ibérico, cured from free-range Iberian pigs fed on acorns.
Visit the Ham Museum in Aracena to learn about traditional production methods.
Riotinto Mines
Located just south of the park, the Rio Tinto copper mines date back to Phoenician times.
Visit the mining museum and take a ride on the narrow-gauge tourist train through the otherworldly landscape.
Yes. Organised day tours from Seville make it easy to explore the region without a car. Tours often include:
Visits to Aracena and the Grutas de las Maravillas
Stops in Jabugo
A guided experience at the Riotinto mining complex
Cabildo Viejo Visitor Centre (Aracena)
Located in a restored 17th-century building in the centre of Aracena, this interpretive centre covers the cultural, ecological, and gastronomic heritage of the park.
Aracena Tourist Office
Well-staffed and English-speaking, the office provides maps, attraction tickets, and tips for hiking or cultural visits. Follow the signs for “Oficina de Turismo” in town.
Walking & Hiking
Explore a wide network of mountain trails, ranging from village-to-village walks to forest paths. Many routes wind through oak groves, past streams, and into quiet white villages.
Birdwatching & Wildlife Watching
The diversity of birdlife and mammals makes the park a prime spot for eco-tourism, particularly in spring and autumn.
Wildside Holidays
Connects nature-lovers with walking holidays and wildlife experiences in the park and other regions like Ronda, Cádiz, and Caminito del Rey.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!