eco tourism 02

eco 

tourism 

2014. #ecotourism02. Interactive Guide 

Birdwatching 

Walking the GR48 

Astro-tourism 

Culture 

Local cuisine 

Sierra 

Morena 

in Spain 

Credits 

#ecotourism 1

Sierra Morena 

Other magazines of interest 

2 #ecotourism

eco 

tourism 

Sustainable territory 

B 

Credits 

Cycle route through El Real de la Jara (Seville) which is also the pilgrim way to Santiago (along the 

southern stretch of the Vía de la Plata) and walkers along the GR-48. © Joan Garriga 

Sierra Morena 

The authentic character of a sustainable region 

It is difficult to find such a vast area that 

can offer amenities like comfortable accommodation 

where without difficulty 

you can find yourself completely integrated 

with nature. 

The charming villages, the deeply rooted 

traditions, the rewarding routes and 

the age-old cuisine providing enough 

energy to face scenic routes for the 

pure pleasure of enjoying the simplest 

and everyday things that our eyes don’t 

usually see: the harvest; the silhouette of 

a flying bird hardly visible but with patience 

and a pair of binoculars you can 

put a name to it; enough time to rest 

under a spreading chestnut tree; point 

out a high cloud, either threatening 

rain or like candyfloss; relax a while in a 

busy plaza where a few children are still 

playing away from the lazy influence of 

the TV; camp in a bivouac under a sky 

of stars beyond compare with other star 

glazers contemplating the splendours of 

the cosmos; feel the streets beat under 

your feet during their festivals, Christian 

or pagan, in celebration of Life. 

Experiences. 


Sierra Morena 

Andalusian Map © Karlos Arroyo 


Map 


Sierra Morena 

A beautiful Rock emerges above the village of Alájar (Huelva) the site of a lovely hermitage. This enclave in the S 

re Arias Montano retreated, the heterodox scholar and librarian of El Escorial, giving the rock the name of the P 

Calopteryx xanthostoma (Western Demoiselle), an endemic species in the south-east of Europe. © Rafael Rom 


The territory 

Sierra Morena covers an area that 

only a poet could put its hidden 

spirit in plain words. Sierra Morena is 

not only bandits and untamed penitents 

like Don Quijote came across, but ordinary 

people who love the land where 

they live and care for it, look after their 

animals and set great store by their resources. 

Visitors in search of hustle, bustle, noise, 

haste, quick fixes, will not enjoy the 

many experiences of the journey. There 

are good communications, accommodation 

and restaurants, lots of well-prepared, 

signposted routes, balconies and 

a long distance walking route (GR 48) 

that forms the backbone of the whole 

area in all the provinces. It is a paradise 

for nature lovers, bird watchers, sportspersons, 

star gazers or simply foodies 

looking for new sensations. 

ierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche was the place wheeña 

de Arias Montano. Photo: © SH. Right photo: A male 

ero Porrino 

Sierra Morena comprises 57 municipalities 

in the provinces of Jaén, Córdoba, 

Seville and Huelva, all within the Sierra 

Morena geographic region. 

It has a population of 186 085 inhabitants 

(2013 census), only 2% of the total 

population of Andalucía although Sierra 

Morena occupies 13% of its total 

area. With low density of the population 

ranging from 9 inhabitants per square 

kilometre in the Sierra Morena in the 

province of Córdoba to 35 inhabitants 

per square kilometre in the North of the 

province of Jaén, well below the average 

in Andalucía of 80 inhabitants per 


Sierra Morena 

Above, Zufre, a beautiful village in Huelva, declared to be an Artistic Historic Complex. Photo: © Rafael Romer 

has lovely buildings and the famous Karst rock formation in the Gruta de las Maravillas cave. Photo: SH 


The territory 

square kilometre. 

Sustainable tourism 

Their commitment with the environment 

is certified by the model of sustainable 

development the villages have opted 

for, with the “Q” for quality tourism mark 

that many of the local businesses have 

obtained and because of the confidence 

of buying products that are certified 

by the Brand “Parque Natural de 

Andalucía”. 

In this sense it is worth mentioning that 

the Nature Parks of Sierra de Andújar, 

Sierra de Cardeña-Montoro, Sierra de 

Hornachuelos, Sierra Norte de Sevilla 

and Sierra de Aracena and Picos de 

Aroche have achieved the “EU Charter 

for Sustainable Tourism” which aims at 

providing methods for applying principles 

of sustainable tourism, guidelines for 

the people and the businesses manago 

Porrino. The town of Aracena (Huelva), on the right, also 


Sierra Morena 

ing these areas so they 

can set up tenable strategies 

and actions collectively. 

The Sierra Morena landscape 

is like a continuous 

patch dominated by a 

succession of mountains 

and valleys. The mountains 

are mainly medium 

to low, with some higher 

peaks with contrasting 

ravines that provide a 

rugged note to the predominantly 

gentle slopes. 

The valleys are low and 

long, corresponding to 

the characteristics of the 

rivers, except in the most 

western sector where a 

central valley has been 

formed cutting through 

the mountains. 

The economy is based on 

farming: livestock, forestry, 

agriculture and hunting 

are the mainstay of the 

economy in the area and 

most cases don’t have a 

single activity but a combination 

of them all. 

Nature 

The meadows make up 

an important component 

of the landscape 

and black Iberian pigs (of 

delicious “pata negra” 

hams), bulls, cows and 

sheep graze free range 

here. 

The forests provide cork, 

honey and produce 

from the pine trees. Olive 

groves dominate the 

Sierra Morena offers fresh landscapes and riparian forests along the river bank 

waterfalls. Photo: © Francisco Martínez Sáez 


The territory 

s and oak woods in the adjacent areas. The tuffaceous limestone along the streams form the characteristic 


Sierra Morena 

The Jándula river runs through the foothills of the Sierra de Andújar (Jaén) and presents typical landscapes of th 

the rutting season, a typical sound in the Sierra Morena nature area. Photos: © Rafael Romero Porrino 


The territory 

landscape and cover the gentle slopes; 

they provide excellent olive oil although 

with a low yield. 

In total the Nature Parks cover an area 

of approximately 528.631 hectares. 

Part of the area makes up the “Meadows 

of Sierra Morena” Reserve of the 

Biosphere. They are protected nature 

areas with an enormous wealth of flora 

that is of great botanical interest the 

same as the fauna. 

There are reservoirs and rivers in many 

of the Parks that cut through the areas 

providing the opportunity for adventure 

holidays and other activities. With 

regard to the different fauna, we can 

mention the existence of small species 

like rabbits, foxes, genets; even some 

species in danger of extinction like the 

Iberian lynx and the wolf. There are also 

interesting species for bird lovers like 

goshawks, sparrow-hawks, imperial eagles, 

golden eagles, Bonillo’s eagles, eagle 

owls, black vultures, griffon vultures, 

Egyptian vultures, black storks, etc. 

These are places that have a wealth of 

large game like deer, wild boar, fallow 

and roe deer. 

e whole Sierra Morena territory. On the right, a stag during 

There are also beautiful places and rich 

landscapes that include the Cimbarra 

Waterfall Nature Park, in the municipality 

of Aldeaquemada with an area of 


Sierra Morena 

Burgalimar castle in Baños de la Encina (Jaén), an impressive fortress with 14 towers dating from the tenth cent 

Sierra Morena. On the right, Argiope Lobata, a spider characteristic of these Mediterranean ecosystems. Photo 


The territory 

534 hectares. Also the 

Peñas de Aroche and 

Sierra Pelada and the 

Rivera del Aserrador, also 

listed and protected as 

Nature Areas (Parajes 

Naturales), with an area 

of 718 hectares and 

12.980 hectares respectively, 

both situated to the 

south east of the Sierra 

de Aracena and Picos de 

Aroche district between 

the municipalities of Almonaster 

la Real, Aroche, 

Cortegana and Rosal de 

la Frontera. 

ury, dominates the Sierra Morena in the province of Jaén. Photo: © ADIT 

: © Rafael Romero Porrino 

The Natural Landscape 

Monuments in Sierra 

Morena are also a great 

attraction: the Organ 

Pipes of Despeñaperros in 

Santa Elena, El Cerro del 

Hierro rock forms in San 

Nicolás del Puerto and 

Constantina. The Huéznar 

waterfall also in San Nicolas 

del Puerto, Encina de 

la Dehesa de San Francisco 

holm oak forest in 

Santa Olalla del Cala and 

the loop in the river Guadalquivir 

at Montoro. 


Sierra Morena 

European Bee-eater (Merops apiaster). Photo: © Rafael Romero Porrino 


Birdwatching routes 


Sierra Morena 



Above, the Cerro del Hierro in the Sierra Norte of Seville. Photo: © tuscasasrurales. On the left, 

rushing streams in Sierra Morena. Photo: © Rafael Romero 

Birdwatching: Seven reasons for picking Sierra Morena 

Why choose Sierra Morena for Birdwatching? 

Seven reasons why 

birdwatchers want to come to this 

new and – still – not very often visited destination: 

1. First of all, out of its 241 bird species there 

are many of the jewels of the 

Iberian birdlife and Mediterranean species 

like the Spanish imperial eagle and the 

black vulture (its main colonies in Andalucía 

are here), Bonelli’s eagle, booted eagle, 

short-toed eagle, black kite, lesser kestrel, 

griffon vulture, bee-eater, orphean warbler, 

Sub-alpine warbler, Sardinian warbler, Iberian 

chiffchaff, white-rumped swift, Alpine 

swift, pallid swift, little swift, red-necked 

nightjar, red-billed chuff, black-eared 

wheatear and black wheatear, blue rock 

thrush, rock sparrow, Spanish sparrow, 

red-rumped sparrow, black stork, white 

stork, European Green woodpecker, azurewinged 

magpie, great spotted cuckoo, 

little bustard, Montagu’s harrier, Dartford 

warbler, thelka lark, hoopoe, common starling, 

rufous-tailed scrub robin, Western olivaceous 

warbler, stone curlew, cirl bunting, 

European turtle dove, red-legged partridge, 

woodchat shrike, Southern grey shrike, purple 

swamp hen and the golden oriole. 

2. These nature areas are also the habitat 

of endangered carnivorous species like 

the Iberian lynx and the Iberian wolf as 

well as large numbers of deer, fallow deer, 

mouflons and other mammals. There is an 

exceptional list of reptiles and amphibians 

with several exclusive taxa from the Iberian 

Peninsula and the South-east of Europe. 

3. The expert naturalist will also have the 

opportunity to enjoy the well conserved 

bat fauna, autochthonous fish and insects 

(including the dragonfly which is worth a 

special mention). The flora includes many 

species associated with a Mediterranean 


Sierra Morena 

Watching birds of prey in Sierra Morena. On the right, a griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus). Photos: © Rafael Romero 



climate and include beautiful wild spring 

orchids. 

4. Additionally you have to keep in mind 

the fact that Sierra Morena is situated 

close to other top bird areas like Doñana 

(only an hour away) and La Serena (also 

an hour away). As well as being relatively 

close to interesting places for nature and 

bird lovers like the Odiel marshes, the Brazo 

del Este wetlands, the Fuente de Piedra 

salt lake, the Sierras de Grazalema and 

Ronda or the lakes and countryside of La 

Lantejuela-Osuna. A bit further away but 

still easy to get to you have the Straits of 

Gibraltar, Sierra Nevada, Almería-Cabo 

de Gata and the plains of Cáceres-Trujillo. 

This is why it is easy to plan a visit combining 

several of these places that have very 

diverse birdlife and landscapes so the 

birdwatcher can mark up a long list of birds 

without moving far. 

Porrino 

5. Sierra Morena is well situated for those 

visitors who stay in the lovely historic cities 

of Seville, Córdoba, Jaén and Granada, 

not forgetting Úbeda and Baeza, World 

Heritage Sites. It is also less than an hour 

from Seville airport, one hour twenty minutes 

from Granada-Jaén airport, less than 

two hours from Málaga-Costa del Sol and 

two and a half hours from Madrid and 

Faro-Algarve airports. 


Sierra Morena 

6. The whole of Sierra Morena 

is dotted with lovely 

small white villages that are 

typical of Andalucía with 

an interesting historic-artistic 

heritage. They offer varied 

accommodation in hotels, 

boarding houses, rural accommodation, 

camp sites 

and eco-farms. The cuisine 

is especially good and it is 

highly appreciated in Spain 

and abroad, its “pata negra” 

ham comes from pigs 

that graze free-range and 

eat acorns from the oak 

groves and its olive oil is 

excellent. 

7. Recently Sierra Morena 

has been recognized as an 

ideal place for eco-tourism. 

The emerging business network 

made up of small local 

companies – respecting the 

environment and with all the 

necessary permits– offers 

services like guided Birdwatching 

tours, photographing 

birds of prey and passeriormes 

from hides, walks, 

detecting and sighting lynx 

and other mammals, identifying 

mushrooms, cultural 

and ethnographical tours, 

Nordic walking, canoeing, 

horse riding, etc. 

Walking along the GR-48. The best route for adventure tourism in the Sierra 



Morena. Photo: © Abén Aljama Martínez. On the left: cork oaks in Sierra Morena. Photo: © Rafael Romero 


Sierra Morena 

Chestnut groves in Sierra Morena. On the right, a little owl (Athene noctua). Photos: © Rafael Romero Porrino 



Internet links for Birdwatching 

u Access the Bird Guide (Guía de Aves) in 

Sierra Morena online 

u Information on the 62 signposted Birdwatching 

routes in Sierra Morena, including 

location and top species 

u Books from the collection Routes to see 

Birds and Nature in Sierra Morena (Rutas 

para ver Aves y Naturaleza en Sierra Morena) 

that are a pocket edition to take with 

you so you don’t miss anything 

u The MITO network. A group of companies 

specialising in Birdwatching holidays in the 

Sierra Morena, ideal for planning visits to 

Sierra Morena, including accommodation 

aimed at bird-watchers and companies 

dedicated to adventure holidays and ecotourism 

offering services linked to Birdwatching, 

nature photography and walking 

holidays. 

Birdwatching and nature routes in 

Sierra de Aracena and Picos de 

Aroche 

This very large district is situated at the 

western frontier of the Sierra Morena in 

the province of Huelva. In its area of over 

300.000 hectares you can find varied Mediterranean 

landscapes, like rivers with oleanders 

and broom, tall thick oak woods, large 

patches of Mediterranean scrub, famous 

chestnut groves, well conserved riverside 

forests and extensive meadows that perfectly 

exemplify what is called today “sus- 


Sierra Morena 

Tecla lark (Galerida theklae), one of the birds you can find in Sierra Morena. Right, Caesar's mushroom. Photos 



tainable use” of resources. 


• H-1. Vulture country 

• H-2. The Buervas Valley 

(Aracena Reservoir) 

• H-3. Route of Our Lady 

of the Puerto 

• H-4. Centenary chestnut 

trees 

• H-5. Teuler mines 

• H-6. Through the oak 

groves in Huelva province 

• H-7. Aracena Castle 

• H-8. The Cala riverside 

• H-9. Frontier birds 

• H-10. Meadows of the 

Sillo river and the Celtic 

settlement of Capote 

• H-11. Chorros de Ollarancos 

waterfall 

• H-12. Family friendly: 

The source of the river 

Odiel 

• H-13. River Múrtigas 

and the Torres valley 

• H-14. Plains of Gracia 

• H-15. Las Peñuelas 

• H-16. Cala Castle 

• H-17. Banks of the Alcalaboza 


Sierra Morena 

Sierra Morena is the habitat for fauna that will delight naturalists. Right, The Iberian lynx. Above, an otter. Photos 




Birdwatching and 

nature routes in Sierra 

Morena in the 

province of Seville 

Few visitors imagine that at 

such a short distance from 

the Giralda tower there is 

such an extraordinary district, 

a perfect mixture between 

the wild and rouge side of 

the eastern Sierra Morena 

and the luxuriant beauty 

of the riparian forest on the 

banks of the Huéznar river 

which cuts through the western 

part of the mountains. 

• SE-1. Viar Valley 

• SE-2. La Senda trail 

• SE-3. Onza mountains 

and the river Bembézar 

• SE-4. Las suertes del 

Guadalbacar river 

• SE-5. A wood in stone 

• SE-6. The riverside woods 

of the Ciudadeja 

• SE-7. Along the banks 

of the Huéznar river 

• SE-8. Los Covachos 

• SE-9. The riverside 

meadows of the Cala 

• SE-10. Eagle country 

• SE-11. Family friendly: El 

Venero 

• SE-12. The Viar Canyon 

• SE-13. Melonares 

bridge 

• SE-14. El Galeón 

• SE-15. Retortillo reservoir 

Birdwatching and 

nature routes in the 

Sierra Morena in the 

province of Córdoba 

As unknown as it is interesting, 

this part of the Sierra 

Morena in the province of 

Córdoba watches over the 

monumental city of the 

Mosque from on high. Between 

the deep ravines of 

the Retortillo river and the 

emblematic Yeguas valley, 

a never-ending string of 

mountains, crags and rivers 

spread out with their rich 

natural treasures. 

• CO-1. Sierra de Hornachuelos 

• CO-2. Guadalmellato 

• CO-3. Guadalora 

Stream 

• CO-4. Névalo Castle 

• CO-5. Cliffs of Sierra 

del Castillo 

• CO-6. Los Ángeles trekking 

trail 

• CO-7. Uncommon 

commonland 

• CO-8. El Valle 

• CO-9. Cabeza Aguda 


Sierra Morena 



Left, paeonia broteri, endemic on the Iberian Peninsula. Above, an eagle owl (Bubo bubo). Photos: 

© Rafael Romero Porrino 

pine grove 

• CO-10. Film scenery 

• CO-11. Family friendly: La Rabilarga walk 

• CO-12. Guadalquivir river 

• CO-13. Guadiato ravines 

• CO-14. Slopes of the Guadalbarbo 

• CO-15. The Station 

Routes through the Sierra Morena 

in the province of Jaén 

The Despeñaperros mountain pass is always 

open to travellers who want to go deep 

into the Sierra Morena in the province of 

Jaén. Thousands of acres of Mediterranean 

forest are waiting for you there, holm and 

cork oaks, extensive pine groves, rivers 

speckled with oleanders and dense riverside 

woods, mountains and hills dotted with 

granite rocks and rocky ravines, meadows 

where fighting bulls graze, countryside with 

silver olive groves and fertile valleys irrigated 

by the great Guadalquivir river. 

• J-1. Miner birds 

• J-2. Valdeazores Ravine 

• J-3. Foothills of the Sierra Morena 

• J-4. The Jándula river’s farewell 

• J-5. Land of lynxes 

• J-6. El Rey vantage point 

• J-7. La Cimbarra waterfalls 

• J-8. Mount Burguillos 

• J-9. Family friendly: La Pasada del 

Castaño 

• J-10. Family friendly: la Campana 

river (La Aliseda) 

• J-11. La Lancha 

• J-12. Peñón Jurado and Las Tres Hermanas 

• J-13. Birds n the open countryside 

• J-14. Bury al-Hammam 

• J-15. The banks of the Guadalquivir river 


Sierra Morena 

Jaén 

Córdoba 

Huelva 

Sevilla 

The long distance walking route through the 

Sierra Morena GR-48 

The route of the Sierra Morena trail - GR 

48 starts in the village of Barrancos in 

Portugal and runs along public roads 

through the province of Huelva, Seville, Córdoba 

and Jaén along 590 km in 28 stages 

and an alternative route.. 

It is designed to take you through six nature 

parks in Andalucía, coinciding with green 

footpaths that inter-communicate protected 

areas, historic and traditional pathways. 

Landscapes where Mediterranean forest 

predominates in its purest form along side 

meadows, declared by the UNESCO to be 

a Reserve of the Biosphere, with some olive 

groves scattered about. Territory that is still 

the habitat for species as scarce as the 

Iberian lynx, the wolf, black vulture and the 

Spanish imperial eagle. Villages with history 

where man has known how to preserve 

natural values by integrating them into his 

own way of life. 

General information 

• Type of path: Lineal with a alternative 

circular route 

• Condition and state of the footpath: Approved 

and signposted in 2010 

• Total length: 571 km. 

• Stages: 28 + Alternative GR 48.1 

• Accessibility: Suitable on foot, horseback 

and, except for a few isolated stretches, 

on mountain bike. 

• Map information: I.G.N./S.G.E. 1:50.000. 

Huelva: nº 895 Encinasola, 896 Higuera 

la Real, 918 Santa Olalla de Cala, 919 

Almadén de la Plata. Sevilla: 1:25.000 

del I.G.N.: 919-I; 919-III; 919-IV; 940-II; 919- 

IV; 920-III; 920-I; 920-II; 920-IV; 921-III; 942-I. 

Córdoba: nº 942 Palma del Río, 943 

Posadas, 922 Sta. Mª de Trassierra, 923 

Córdoba, 902 Adamuz, and 903 Montoro. 

Jaén: Nº 903, Nº 884, nº 862. 


The GR 48 route 

Left, interactive map of the GR-48. Above, the river canyon with Mediterranean vegetation in the 

Sierra de Hornachuelos (Córdoba). Photo: © Rafael Romero Porrino 


Sierra Morena 

Above, cycle touring along the track in the Sierra Norte in the province of Seville on the Rivera del Huéznar riv 

On the right, leafy places on route that are very welcome in summer. Photo: © Rafael Romero Porrino 



The GR 48 “Sierra 

Morena trail” 

This impressive itinerary goes 

through the Sierra Morena 

mountains in the provinces 

of Huelva, Seville, Córdoba 

and Jaén along 571 kilometres 

and is divided into 28 

stages and an alternative 

circular route. 

On foot, bike or horseback 

this long distance, or GR 

route, is one of the most 

attractive in the South of 

Spain. On route you will 

discover ancient pathways 

and come in direct contact 

with the culture and nature 

of the Sierra Morena. The 

trail is completely signposted 

and it has four topographical 

guides, one for each 

province, both in Spanish 

and in English, which can be 

downloaded for free on the 

web: 

www.senderogr48.com/. 

er. Photo: Carlos León / Cyclo Natural. 

It goes through 35 Andalusian 

municipalities, travellers 

can enjoy a mixture of 

landscapes from meadows, 

ravines, rivers and streams, 


Sierra Morena 

Walking along a stretch of the GR-48. Photo: © ADIT Sierra Morena. On the right, woodchat shrike (Lanius sen 



olive groves, pine groves 

and Mediterranean scrub. 

For further information 

ator). Photo: © Rafael Romero 

If you need more detailed 

information on the GR 48 

Trail through Sierra Morena 

you can contact ADIT Sierra 

Morena E-mail: 

gr48@sierramorena.com 

There is a very complete 

website dedicated exclusively 

to the Sierra Morena 

trail, http://www.senderogr48. 

com, where each stage is 

described, you can download 

the tracks for GPS 

navigation and the 4 existing 

topological guides for each 

one free and in both Spanish 

and English. 

In addition to the website, 

Sierra Morena is on facebook: 

http://www.facebook. 

com/ADITsierramorena with 

information for all those who 

use the trail on its present 

condition and about Sierra 

Morena in general, like walking 

activities or any incident 

on route. 


Sierra Morena 

The topographical guides 

The topographical guides are the ideal 

complement for a pleasant excursion along 

any part of the GR-48. They include texts, 

photos, diagrams, as well as maps and all 

the necessary material for you to do the 

route safely. In addition there is a general 

introduction to each province the trail goes 

through, there is also information on each 

place the trail goes through. 

You can download the topographical 

guides (PDF format) 

• GR-48 Huelva Guide 

• GR-48 Sevilla Guide 

• GR-48 Córdoba Guide 

• GR-48 Jaén Guide 

The stages of the GR-48 

The different stages have been designed 

for you to do on mountain bike, on foot or 

on horseback covering different distances 

according to difficulty and planned mainly 

so that the beginning and end of each 

stage coincide with towns and villages or 

places where you can stay and at least get 

a meal. 

01. Barrancos – Encinasola 

02. Encinasola – Cumbres de San Bartolomé 

03. Cumbres de San Bartolomé – Cumbres 

Mayores 

04. Cumbres Mayores – Hinojales 

05. Hinojales – Arroyomolinos de León 

06. Arroyomolinos de León – Cala 

07. Cala – Santa Olalla del Cala 

08. Santa Olalla del Cala – El Real de la 

Jara 

09- El Real de la Jara – Almadén de la Plata 

10. Almadén de la Plata – Cazalla de la 

Sierra 

11. Cazalla de la Sierra – Constantina 

12. Constantina – La Puebla de los Infantes 

13. Puebla de los Infantes – Hornachuelos 

14. Hornachuelos – Posadas 

15. Posadas – Almodóvar del Río 

16. Almodóvar del Río – Sta Mº de Trassierra 

17. Sta Mº de Trassierra – Cerro Muriano 

18. Cerro Muriano – Villaharta 

19. Villaharta – Obejo 

20. Obejo – Presa del Guadalmellato 

21. Presa del Guadalmellato – Adamuz 

22. Adamuz – Montoro 

23. Montoro – Marmolejo 

24. Marmolejo – Santuario de la Virgen de 

la Cabeza 

25. Santuario de la Virgen de la Cabeza – 

Viñas de Peñallana 

26. Viñas de Peñallana – Baños de la Encina 

27. Baños de la Encina – La Carolina 

28. La Carolina – Santa Elena 

Variante circular GR-48.1: Rivera del Huéznar 

– Cerro del Hierro 



On the left, griffon vultures and black vultures eating what is left of a winter hunting trip in Sierra 

Morena. Above, the Nature Park of the Cimbarra waterfall. Photos: © Rafael Romero Porrino 


Sierra Morena 


Astro-tourism. Destination Starlight 

On the left, night sky from the Virgen de la Cabeza Sanctuary (Andújar). Above, star gazing in the 

heart of the Sierra Morena. Following page, the Cala Castle (Huelva). Photos: © José Jiménez 

Sierra Morena: where sky and earth meet 

Thanks to the constant work of the mountain 

inhabitants who are proud of their 

homeland, many already know that 

Sierra Morena is synonymous to wild nature, 

of remote moorland where the Mediterranean 

forest is present in all its splendour, 

white villages dotted on a landscape where 

silence is only interrupted by the mournful 

cry of eagles or the call of the deer or the 

roar of the stags. Yet, few know that Sierra 

Morena is also one of the best places on 

the continent to star gaze on clear nights. 

At present Sierra Morena is being studied for 

a Starlight Reserve and Tourist Destination, 

certified by the Institute of Astrophysics of 

the Canary Islands and authorised by the 

UNESCO, that only approve places where 

the night sky allows star gazing in the very 

best conditions with an absence of light pollution. 

When the sun goes down and the first stars 

appear then you are guaranteed a show. A 

deep, black sky appears in all its grandeur, 

the stars shine in a clear sky free from light 


Sierra Morena 




Sierra Morena 



Left, star gazing in the Sierra de Cardeña Montoro. Photo: © Juan Fernández. Above, a show in its 

immensity. Photo: © José Jiménez Garrido 

pollution, the abyss of the cosmos tempts 

us with questions and doubts and Sierra 

Morena is the ideal place to lose yourself 

in this sea of curiosity that engulfs us as we 

contemplate the mysteries of the universe. 

At present a network of holiday accommodation 

has adapted their services for tourists 

who are interested in astronomy, with observation 

zones equipped with telescopes, 

minimised illumination so that you can star 

gaze in the best conditions, with astronomy 

guides offering star gazing activities for 

families, groups of enthusiasts and people 

who are interested, as well as including a 

series of amenities that make astronomy 

something easy to do (Late check outs, hot 

drinks available at night, electrical sockets, 

dinner under the stars). In this way Sierra 

Morena has become a reference point for 

astro-tourism, where enthusiasts have every 

commodity for star gazing. 

Most of the 57 municipalities in the Sierra 

Morena have understood the potential of 

the sky at night and they have got involved 

in its conservation, a common wealth that is 

often underestimated. 

Sierra Morena invites you to experience the 

thrill of watching the night sky that appears 

to explode in colour and light, immerse 

yourself in questioning and admiring a universe 

that we have hardly begun to understand. 

Let yourself be moved by the clear 

depth of dark skies in Sierra Morena. 

For further information: 

www.sierramorena.com 

www.astronomiasierramorena.com 

www.darkskyadvisors.com 

www.asociacionhubble.org 


Sierra Morena 

Above, Museun dedicated to the Batlle of Navas de Tolosa (1212) in La Carolina (Jaén). Photo: © 

Viajes Rumbo. Right, removing cork from the oaks in Sierra Morena. Photo: © Rafael Romero 

Culture, cuisine and traditions in Sierra Morena 

Since Prehistoric times, Sierra Morena 

has had strategic important and different 

civilisations have settled here, the 

prehistoric remains and cave paintings are 

evidence of this. Fortifications were erected 

here: Iberians, Carthaginians, Romans, 

Moors, Jews…, all chose these lands for 

their privileged geographic situation and 

climate, leaving evidence of their legacy 

and an important part of it has been conserved.. 

The rich wealth and diversity of heritage in 

Sierra Morena offers a total of 206 elements 

that have been declared to be Heritage of 

Cultural Interest and 23 Historic Artistic Complexes. 

All this heritage is well conserved 

and accessible to visitors. 

Cuisine 

The base of the local cuisine is olive oil, 

game and the black Iberian pork fed on 

acorns. We can point out typical dishes like 

the marinated or pickled meat from the 

mountains, cooked meat from the mountains, 

black Iberian pork preserves, shoulder 

of pork, cured hams, Rulahuevos salad, camuña 

brazed lamb, ajoblanco cold soup, 

Salmorejo (a kind of gazpacho), mountain 

breadcrumbs, scrambled eggs, bollo de 

papas (Mashed potato with fried onion, 

garlic, pepper and tomato), ajogañán 

(bread, garlic, potato, cod, onion and red 

pepper), winter gazpacho… Dried fruits 

and nuts like almonds, walnuts, chestnuts; 

wild plants, mushrooms, asparagus, strawberry 

tree fruit, blackberries; herbs like 


Culture, cuisine and traditions 

Fiesta de los Rondeles en Casarabonela (Málaga) © José María Navarro Sánchez 


Sierra Morena 

Aroche (Huelva) © Javier Hernández Gallardo 

thyme, rosemary; and honey, these are also 

ingredients that are often used in the local 

cuisine. For dessert you have a kind of porridge 

called gachas, fig loaf with almonds, 

marzipan, fried wine cakes called soplanos, 

olive oil tarts… 

Crafts 

Ironwork stands out among the local crafts 

(scales, harnesses…), saddlery, hand sewing 

with hemp yarn, work with rushes, embroidery, 

basket making, ceramics, woodwork, 



leather work, esparto grass and wicker 

work, hunting crafts mainly articles made 

with horns (chairs, coat hangers, walking 

sticks, lamps) as well as the cuisine that includes 

cakes and conserves, not forgetting 

everything related to olive oil, wine, honey, 

anisette liquor… 

Festivals and Traditions 

Local folklore, festivals and customs are 


Sierra Morena 

On the previous page, Aracena (Huelva). Above, a typical street in Constantina (Seville). Photos: © Campese. R 

lle). Photo: © Juanpol. www.juampol.com/. Next page, Montoro (Córdoba), an artistic historic complex. Photo: 



ight, a panoramic view of the El Real de la Jara castle (Sevi- 

© Campese 

closely linked to agriculture; most of the 

festivals have their origins in the celebration 

of good harvests. Also it is worth mentioning 

the pig slaughtering, bonfires and 

hunting activities. 

Religious festivals also have great importance 

here, with romería type pilgrimages 

and processions of religious images that 

are famous all over Spain, like the Romería 

to the sanctuary of Our Lady of the Head 

(Virgen de la Cabeza) in Andújar, the oldest 

in Spain, Holy Week in Montoro with the 

traditional procession of Roman soldiers, 

festivals commemorating the Battle of 

Bailén, the cavalcade of the Three Wise 

Men in Higuera de la Sierra and the Romería 

type pilgrimage in honour of the Queen 

of Angels, all of these celebrations have 

been declared to be of National Tourist 

Interest. 

There are also some local dances worth a 

mention like La Lanza or Hinojales dance, 

the dance of El Pandero de Encinasola, 

Los Fandangos from Almonaster la Real 

and the sword dance from Obejo. 


Sierra Morena 

FMontoro (Córdoba) © campese 

Tourist amenities 

Historic Heritage 

u Castles in perfect condition for visits 

u Churches, parishes and convents 

u Historic Heritage complexes by municipalities 

u Museums 

u Remains of settlements and relics of mining 

activities 

u Archaeological sites 

u Cave paintings 

u Battle sites 

u Trenches and a shelter from the Civil War 

u Baroque urban complexes 

u Roman roads. 

Ethnographic heritage 

u Festivals that have been declared to be 

of National Tourist Interest (Romería type 

pilgrimage of Our Lady of the Head, Holy 

Week in Montoro…) 

u Peculiar Folk Expression the legacy of 

other cultures. 

Natural Heritage 

u 6 Nature Parks. (Special Protection Areas 

(SPA) and Sites of Community Importance 

(SCI)). (Sierra de Aracena and Picos de 



Aroche Nature Park, Sierra Norte of Seville 

Nature Park, Sierra de Hornachuelos 

Nature Park, Sierra de Cardeña-Montoro 

Nature Park, Sierra de Andujar Nature Park, 

Despeñaperros Nature Park) 

u 3 Parks that have been declared to be 

Reserves of the Biosphere "Dehesas de 

Sierra Morena" (Sierra de Hornachuelos, Sierra 

Norte of Seville, Sierra de Aracena and 

Picos de Aroche) 

u 3 Nature Areas (la Cimbarra waterfall, Las 

Peñas de Aroche and Sierra Pelada 

and Rivera del Aserrador) 

u 5 Natural landscape monuments (the 

Organs of Despeñaperros, Cerro del Hierro, 

Huéznar waterfall, the oak trees in the de 

San Francisco meadows and the loop in the 

Guadalquivir river at Montoro) 

u The Puerto Moral Nature Reserve in Aroche 

(Huelva). 

Installations for public use 

u Visitors’ Centres 

u Nature classrooms 

u Pathways 

u Recreation areas 

u Farm schools 

u Vantage points 

u Museums 

u Camping areas. 


Sierra Morena 

Typical landscape of Sierra Morena. Photo: © Rafael Romero 


Internet links 

ADIT Sierra Morena 

http://www.sierramorena.com/ 

Geographic area of Sierra Morena 

http://www.sierramorena.com/pdt_ambito.php 

Municipalities of the Sierra Morena 

http://www.sierramorena.com/municipios.php 

Route of the GR-48 

http://senderogr48.sierramorena.com/itinerario/ 

Birdwatching and nature routes in the Sierra 

de Aracena and Picos de Aroche 

http://birdingandalusia.sierramorena.com/?page_id=78 


Morena in the province of Seville 



Morena in the province of Córdoba 



Morena in the province of Jaén 


Bird guide in Sierra Morena 


The MITO website 


Further information on accommodation on 

the MITO website 


Further information on the adventure holiday 

businesses on the MITO website 


Vantage points 

http://www.sierramorena.com/lista_espaciosnaturales.php?tipo=Mirador 

Places of interest in the Sierra Morena 

http://www.sierramorena.com/sitios_interes.php 

Accommodation in Sierra Morena 

http://www.sierramorena.com/alojamientos.php 

Festivals and Traditions in Sierra Morena 

http://www.sierramorena.com/fiestas.php 

Association for the Integral Development 

of the Territory of Sierra Morena (ADIT Sierra 

Morena), it is a non-profit making entity 

promoted by the Rural Development Group 

of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche, 

Association Group for Rural Development 

of the Sierra Morena in the province 

of Seville, Association for the Rural Development 

of Sierra Morena in the province of 

Córdoba and the Association for the Rural 

Development of the Campiña Norte in the 

province of Jaén and integrated public 

and private businesses and institutions in the 

provinces of Huelva, Seville, Córdoba and 

Jaén. 

Sierra de Andújar 

http://goo.gl/l5izRh 

Despeñaperros 

http://goo.gl/M3khPq 

Sierra de Cardeña-Montoro 

http://goo.gl/wT7QUU 

Sierra de Hornachuelos 

http://goo.gl/pmQvMl 

Sierra Norte in the province of Seville 

http://goo.gl/2dlg17 

Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche 

http://goo.gl/lxEsAN 

Recreation areas 

http://www.sierramorena.com/lista_espaciosnaturales.php?tipo=%C1rea%20Recreativa

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