Edit

Huelva (province)

Travel Guide Europe Spain Andalusia Huelva

Introduction

Almonaster la Real

There can be little doubt that it is Cordoba, Granada and Sevilla that come to mind first, when Andalusia is mentioned. Then come Malaga and Cadiz followed by Jaén. Huelva and Almeria form the rearguard. In spite of this there is much to be seen in Huelva - in particular much of the well known and highly esteemed Doñana National Park and the Sierra de Aracena.

edit

Geography

edit

Cities

Huelva - the capital
El Rocio- has three claims to fame. The one the residents would probably put first is religious - the annual Romera or pilgrimage. Next comes its wildlife as it is slap on the border of a large area of flood water in Doñana. Third is the actual appearance of the viillage where every road and pavement in the centre is kept deep in sand and horse hoof marks look more in keeping than car tyres. * Almonaster la Real - This is a fascinating village in the Sierra de Aracena. It lies just below the crown of a hill, on which there is a fortified mosque, which has also served as a church and was built using stone from a Roman temple.
Cortigana - Another Sierra village with a church at the hill top. Black storks and imperial eagles both appear at times.
Aracena Spectacular limestone caves. A Mudejar church and castle ruins on the hilltop.
Jabugo a small enough place but claims to be the HAM capital of Spain! Its ham certainly leaves little to be desired.

edit

Sights and Activities

Parque Nacional de Doñana

The Parque Nacional de Doñana is one of the finest wetland reserves in Europe. The waters are trapped behind dunes but often these areas dry out completely in the summer. Depending on the time of year, they attract flamingos and black-legged stilts as well as countless types of duck, goose gull and waders. There are numerous other birds never seen in the United Kingdom. Wild boars abound along with red and fallow deer.
From the Centro de Recepción El Acebuche, about 12 kilometres towards the coast from El Rocio, it is possible to get trips into the park for about three and a half hours in a four by four minibus.

Sierra de Aracena

This Sierra lacks the magnificence of the sierras of Cazorla, Ronda, Grazalema and others. However it is both attractive and extremely interested. The hills are largely wooded and most tops are easily accessed. There are miles of waymarked paths. Where a hilltop is not covered in trees, it normally has an interesting building on top.

edit