Sierra de Huelva route

From north to south, this route leads through the northwest slopes of Andalusia. Almost without interruption, you will ride through lands as varied as the Sierra de Huelva, the Mining District, El Andévalo and El Condado. Located in the western portion of the Sierra Morena, acting as a barrier stopping the humid winds from the Atlantic, this corner houses a beautiful fusion of nature and culture: white villages with cobbled streets spread across vast meadows of holm and cork oaks, olive groves, orchards and chestnuts. Imposing castles, abandoned mines and dolmens brimming with magic round off a setting that will make you vibrate.

The roads, which has magnificent asphalt and an exciting route, seem to have been designed to feel the pleasure of riding a motorbike. From the A-66, known as the Ruta de la Plata highway, the itinerary takes you into the heart of the Sierra de Huelva, the place where the greatest culinary treasures are forged: the production of Jabugo ham. On the way, taking a slight detour, you can discover the Dolmen de Soto, in Trigueros, which will not disappoint you. Another good way to enjoy history and heritage is in Minas de Riotinto, at its magnificent Mining Park, which includes the impressive Corta Atalaya (watchtower) and a tour on the old steam train.

The route begins at Santa Olalla del Cala (stop 1). After visiting its imposing castle — listed as an Asset of Cultural Interest — you enter the lands of the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park. The road, which is broad and has a good surface, a constant throughout the route, gives you full confidence. It has a lot of bends and very few potholes, making it ideal to enjoy with any type of motorbike. After the villages of Cala and Arroyomolinos de León, a road with superb views of the valley leads you to Cañaveral de León (stop 2). Very welcoming, in the centre of the village, its singular natural pool, or lagoon, stands out; it is fed by the striking Fuente Redonda spring. Its Almazara Museum and the so-called ‘Callejón del Agua’ are must-visits.

You then head south on the HV-3124 and, after crossing the tail of the Aracena reservoir, you will arrive at Carboneras on a road that lends itself to enjoyable riding. Good asphalt, better route, magnificent visibility. The increased rainfall becomes noticeable, giving rise to an increasingly green landscape featuring the first chestnut trees. Aracena is majestic as it welcomes you (stop 3). Its castle invites you to climb its hillock to get the best view of the town. 

After visiting its Gruta de las Maravillas, discovering the historic town centre of Aracena, which is classified as a Historic-Artistic Site, and recharging your batteries with local products, you continue on your way to the heart of the sierra: ham, sausages, Iberian pork and mushrooms, not to mention goat’s cheese, its best-kept culinary secret. With every passing kilometre, the landscape becomes lusher. You will descend to Linares de la Sierra (stop 4) on the HU-8105, a small town that features beautiful cobbled streets, the heraldry that adorns its facades and a unique bullfighting arena, serving as it does as the village’s main square. You then continue to Alájar on a narrow and winding road, albeit with very few potholes, which finally leads you to the Peña de Arias Montano (stop 5). Its hermitage, the fountain and its vantage point, the mystique that emanates from the place, make it an ideal place to make a stop and, if you are there at night, to watch the night sky. This sierra is part of the Starlight Sierra Morena Reserve due to its low light pollution. You then head down the north face towards Fuenteheridos on the HU-8121 (stop 6). Be careful, you will have to pay attention as you ride! On the bends there may be dirt caused by fallen leaves and prickly chestnut husks.

You then continue your route towards Castaño del Robledo and then, after a very twisty stretch and a possible detour to Jabugo, take the N-435 towards Huelva. It is a broad road much frequented by motorcyclists, especially on weekends. The route is magnificent, but in some sections you will have to pay attention to the potholes in the asphalt. Take care to ensure you do not speed.

You then leave the natural park behind and enter the Mining District. Pine trees become more and more frequent and the waters of rivers and streams begin to turn red, due to the iron ore in the bowels of these sierras. It is worth stopping at the old bridge over the River Odiel, or Puente de los Cinco Ojos (‘Five-Span Bridge’) (stop 7), since it offers a colour spectacle: red water sliding over yellowish rocks. The road continues to descend while offering stunning views. After passing through Zalamea la Real, where a detour is recommended to enjoy the Riotinto Mining Park, you will head down to Valverde del Camino. Although the Soto dolmen is the most famous one in the region, the El Pozuelo and Los Gabrieles dolmens are no less meritorious. Later, following the A-493, take the HU-3106 leading you to Niebla amidst pine and eucalyptus plantations. Its majestic Almohad walls rise watchfully over the waters of the River Tinto, housing a broad and exquisite culinary culture based on its vegetables, meats and mushrooms: Spanish oyster thistle esparragás (with asparagus), broad beans enzapatás (with mint, garlic and pennyroyal) and in colorao (with paprika), gurumelos (mushrooms) stew or scrambled eggs with tomato or in stew are among its deep-rooted star dishes. Incidentally, one cannot forget that you are in the lands of two enormous products certified with quality marks: the El Condado wines and Escacena chickpeas.

Alájar or Arias Montano vantage point. Stone, water, vegetation and magic abound equally in the Peña de Alájar. It is a magical place thanks to the telluric forces that emanate from the rock. From a bird’s eye bird, it offers astonishing views of the village of Alájar and the southern slope of the Sierra de Aracena. A large portion of the province can be seen on clear days.