Almonaster La Real is a very interesting and ancient village. The Mezquita / Castle that dominates the village dates back to Roman times and has been in continual use ever since. Originally built as a church by the Visigoths, much of the present structure was built in the ninth and tenth centuries when the building was converted into a mosque. The walking-routes around Almonaster are equally ancient; many of them on the old drove-roads that threaded their way between southern Spain and Portugal. The antiquity of the paths is evident from the huge effort and care with which these old thoroughfares have been constructed; the cobble and stone pavement can often still be seen on the paths and stone walls abound everywhere. It is a tribute to the unchanging nature of the area that these routes have been preserved through the centuries. This pleasant half-day walk has been waymarked (pink dots) and goes west from Almonaster to the small hamlet of Acebuche, before heading up to the Puerto de las Encruciladas before dropping back to Almonaster. This walk is a great introduction to the region.

Spain - Huelva - Aracena

View a road map to the starting point of this walk.