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Sierra de Aracena Short Break

5 Days & 4 Nights 4.6 Read 7 reviews
  • A relaxed walking short break between the sleepy villages of Sierra de Aracena
  • Sample gastronomical delights like the famed jamon iberico
  • Stay overnight in a charming posada in the traditional village of Alajar
  • The undiscovered villages of Linares de Sierra, Fuenteheridos and Cortelazor
  • Almonaster la Real, with its magnificent 10th century hilltop mosque
Enjoy a relaxed walking short break based in the traditional Andalucian village of Alajar, close to Seville. With its rolling hills, woodlands, lush pastures and orchards, the Sierra de Aracena is the perfect place to escape for a few days discovering authentic Andalucia. Based in a delightful posada in Alajar, enjoy a selection of easy-going walks through the countryside. Visit Linares de Sierra, with its Michelin rated restaurant, explore the nearby village of Almonaster la Real and discover Cortelazor, a very sleepy little village where time truly seems to stand still. At the end of the day return to your posada and relax in the pool and enjoy a delicious meal at one of the many restaurants lining the square of the charming whitewashed village.
If you are looking to discover a truly authentic part of Andalucia but are a bit short of time, this is the perfect way to get out in the countryside quickly from Seville. The walking is easy-moderate with daily walks of between 11 and 16km and up to 400m of ascent. The hills here are rolling and the ascents and descents are mostly very gradual so nothing is too strenuous! You will be based in a traditional posada (small hotel) which offers warm Andalucian hospitality and great local cuisine!

Tour Type:

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Activity:

Single Centre Walking | Stay in one location throughout your trip, exploring the region with a mix of loop and point-to-point walks and with time to discover an area, town, or village in-depth.

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Short Break
  • Off the Beaten Track

Activity Level & Terrain

This walking tour is graded Easy-Moderate. Walks are between 2-5 hours and there is an ascent/descent of between 130m to 400m each day. The paths can become slippy when wet but luckily this area experiences very little rain so that shouldn't happen too often!

Navigation

The routes on this trip are generally way-marked but can be unclear at times so you will need to follow the route notes and maps provided. You will also have access to the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone’s GPS so using this combined with the provided route notes and maps means you should have no problems finding your way.

Accommodations

4 nights accommodation is included in your trip in a lovely traditional posada hotel.

The accommodation we normally use is detailed below. We may sometimes have to use alternative hotels subject to availability but if this is the case we will always let you know when confirming your booking.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is available to solo walkers although there is a supplement applicable. Single rooms are also available and  a single room supplement is payable.

Meals

4 breakfasts are included. Lunches and evening meals on the other days are not included. You can pick up lunch in the villages you pass by or stop along the trail for a picnic. Evening meals can be taken in Posada San Marcos (please pre-book with us in advance) or there are also a small selection of restaurants in Alajar offering fantastic regional cuisine. Your route notes have details for each day.

Included
  • 4 Nights in a posada hotel
  • 4 Breakfasts
  • Baggage transfers as per itinerary
  • Transfers as per itinerary
  • Return transfers from Seville Airport to Alajar
  • Olive oil tasting in Alajar
  • Detailed route notes, maps and pre-departure information pack
  • GPX tracks and access to our smartphone app
  • 24/7 emergency telephone support
Excluded
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Travel to and from Seville
  • Taxi from Almonaster la Real to Alajar on Day 2 (payable locally)
  • Lunches, dinners, snacks and drinks
  • Personal equipment
Extras
  • Additional nights before, during or after the tour
  • Optional cheese tasting in Alajar

When To Go

You can start this tour on any day of the week between January and June, and then again between September and December. We do not offer it in July and August as it is simply too hot for enjoyable walking then.

Weather and Climate

The climate in this part of the world makes for perfect walking conditions most of the year round. Winters are very mild although you may experience slightly more rainfall during this time. Springtime is beautiful with a profusion of wild flowers on display.

It starts to heat up in June and by July it is too hot for walking. However, when autumn arrives it is once again perfect conditions with the chestnut trees and orchards filling the countryside with beautiful orange and red colours. This is also when the acorns start to fall, which is what the famous Iberian Black Pigs graze on.

Getting to the Start

By Air: Seville is the easiest airport to fly into, which is easily accessed by flights from across the UK and Europe. Airlines flying from the UK include the low cost carriers such as Easyjet and Ryanair as well as British Airways. Coming from the US  you would fly via Europe with airlines such as Vueling, TAP, Lufthansa and Iberia Airlines.

On arriving in Seville, an included transfer will collect you and bring you to Alajar (1h 30min). You will also be transferred back to Seville at the end of your break.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight stay. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

General Information

The distances and ascent/descents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necessary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat, sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.

Equipment

Your detailed information pack will be sent to you after you book. This has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking gear such as good walking boots or shoes, waterproof clothes and a day pack.

How far in advance do I need to book?
How fit do I need to be?

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Alajar Day 2 Transfer to Almonaster la Real, Loop Walk to Cerro san Cristobal 7 miles / 11 km Day 3 Transfer to Cortelazor, walk to Alajar 10 miles / 16.4 km Day 4 Loop walk to Linares de Sierra 7 miles / 11 km Day 5 Onward Travel

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