Mining Region of Huelva route

This route will allow you to ride through an enchanting territory like no other, discovering an exciting mining history that is also its present. Traversing the Iberian Pyritic Belt, you will ride against a backdrop of spectacular scenery, bursting with colours that resemble something from another planet. Abandoned mines and open pits, industrial sites overgrown by vegetation, newly planted pine and eucalyptus trees, disused railway lines and tunnels, bridges over rivers tinged by a striking red colour... Nature transformed by the hand of man offers a very special geographical setting, and provides a demanding trail route that will be sure to impress you.

The route begins just before you reach the village of Sotiel Coronada (Calañas), by the River Odiel, an area with a long mining tradition. You cross the La Coronada bridge, a spectacular vantage point (stop 1) overlooking the old Escamocho mill. For the first few kilometres you will ride alongside the waters of the river, with the banks tinged by a yellow colour that really catches the eye. The route begins impressively, passing through several railway tunnels before becoming more challenging near the abandoned Almagrera mine (stop 2). It is well worth making the effort to visit the interesting, derelict, but very photogenic, industrial facilities. You will then take a straight, downhill path, where you should take care due to the presence of many loose stones.

After a short section of road passing through the village of Calañas, heading towards Valdemusa, you turn east towards the La Zarza mine (stop 3). This is another spectacular disused mine, which retains an open pit, or open-cast mine, filled with red-tinged water, and many other facilities. You then continue through the small village of La Zarza de Calañas, where you take the route of the old mining railway that carried the ore to the port of Huelva. There is a succession of tunnels and bridges on the narrow road on which you are now travelling. You will cross a lush pine forest, which becomes a wide forest track featuring eucalyptus plantations.

You reach the village of Valdelamusa (stop 4) passing by a large working mine with heavy lorry traffic. Watch out! It is worth considering the geographical distribution of the village based on the old hierarchical structure: the mine, the dwellings, the old offices and engineers’ houses, the old French people’s golf course and the railway station. You then follow a short section of road that takes you to Cueva de la Mora, where you will again leave the asphalt and take a well-maintained track running alongside an abandoned railway line. Shortly thereafter, just before you reach the village of Minas de San Miguel, you will cross a spectacular bridge over the River Rivera Escalada (stop 5), which is without a doubt the highlight of the route. It is not suitable for people with vertigo, it is recommended that you push the motorbikes on foot with two people. Exercise extreme caution!

You then continue the route, passing the abandoned village of Minas de San Miguel, and briefly take the N-435 road heading north. Soon after that, you leave the road and turn onto a winding mountain road, which leads to Mina Concepción (stop 6), an old and peaceful mining village. Mined since ancient times, it is known for its rust, that also produces the ferric colour of the water that rises in the vicinity. Due to the mining operations, a large open pit has been formed, measuring 430 metres long and 150 metres wide.

Concepción is a good spot to rest and put the finishing touch to the route by sampling the traditional local dishes of this mining region. Mainly based on game meats and lamb, highlights include stew made from pig or rabbit offal, trimmings and kidneys, prepared in the traditional Andalusian way, but with some very tempting specialities. In gurumelo season, picadillos, stews and omelettes are prepared using this prized mushroom as the main ingredient. But if there is a special culinary product, with more than five centuries behind it, it is the famous esesita (typical sweet). A very elaborate dessert, which is only eaten in spring and is always present in the pilgrimage basket, together with the bread roll with the hard-boiled egg inside it.

The former La Zarza mine, closed in 1991. Numerous industrial remnants still remain, most of them in an advanced state of deterioration. Winches, ore loading bays, engine houses, powder magazines, tracks, branch lines and the railway station...one might say that they form a decadent framework with a certain romantic overtone.