# An autumn Sunday in the chestnut groves of the Sierra de Aracena

A short route among yellow chestnut trees and pigs fattening on acorns at Castaño del Robledo, Iberian lunch in Aracena and the cave in the afternoon. An hour and a quarter from Seville.

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/andalusia/sierra-de-aracena/itineraries/autumn-among-chestnut-groves-from-huelva · Revisado: 2026-11-12

## El día
- 08:30 · Salida: 1 h 15 by car (from Seville via the A-66 and the N-433; pass Aracena and carry on to Castaño del Robledo)
- 10:00 · Round the Cerro del Castaño, Chestnut Groves of Castaño del Robledo (Loop round the Cerro del Castaño · 5.5 km · 2 h · starts on Calle Arias Montano)
  - 15 min by car, 16,5 km
- 14:00 · Jesús Carrión Restaurante (in Aracena, next to the Gruta · open on Sunday 13:00 to 16:00 · €€ · booking) · Jesús Carrión Restaurante, €€
  - 2 min on foot
- 16:00 · Gruta de las Maravillas (ticket bought beforehand on the town council's website)
  - 4 min on foot
- 17:15 · Aracena Castle and fortified enclosure (the castle hill in the last light)
- 18:15 · Vuelta (You reach Seville around 19:30)

In autumn the Sierra de Aracena changes from green to yellow thanks to the chestnut trees, and the village that tells it best is called, precisely, Castaño del Robledo. The loop round the Cerro del Castaño is a waymarked trail of the Natural Park: five and a half kilometres on cobbled paths between stone walls, chestnut groves and Iberian pigs in the middle of the montanera. Then you go down to Aracena for Iberian food and enter the cave in the afternoon.

## The day, hour by hour

8:30 · Set off. From Seville, take the A-66 towards Mérida and the N-433 towards Aracena; go through the town and carry on about 20 minutes more to Castaño del Robledo, via Fuenteheridos or the HU-8114. Park at the entrance to the village: there is no room at the start of the route.

10:00 · Loop round the Cerro del Castaño. From Plaza del Álamo, go up calle Arias Montano; before it ends, a lane on the right marks the start. The path goes round the hill with the chestnut grove to one side, crosses the Galaroza pass and returns past the El Nogal fountain. Two hours, medium difficulty and a steeper last stretch. When you get back, stroll round the village and look at the unfinished church, the Monumento.

12:30 · To Aracena. Twenty minutes by road. If you arrive early, have a drink in Plaza Alta.

14:00 · Lunch at Jesús Carrión. On calle Pozo de la Nieve, a few steps from the cave. On Sundays it opens at midday, from 13:00 to 16:00. Book.

16:00 · Gruta de las Maravillas. The cave with lakes under the town is visited with a guide in sessions. At weekends they sell out: buy yours beforehand on the town council website.

17:15 · The castle. Climb the castle hill with the last light over the sierra.

18:15 · Head home. In Seville around half past seven.

## What to order

Iberian, as it is the season: acorn-fed ham and venison carpaccio to share, and an Iberian meat for the main. In autumn, check the menu in case there are mushrooms from the sierra or chestnuts.

## The montanera and the chestnuts

From October to February the Iberian pig is let loose on the dehesa to eat acorns: this is the montanera, and you can see it from the path. The chestnuts on the ground are the harvest of the chestnut grove's owners: they are not to be picked. Gates, always as you find them.

## Cómo llegar

### By car
A little over an hour from Seville to Aracena on the A-66 and the N-433, and 20 minutes more to Castaño del Robledo. From Huelva, via the N-435, an hour and a half.

### Without a car
Damas and Casal have buses to the sierra from Huelva and Seville. For this plan, with the route at Castaño del Robledo, the car is much more convenient.

## Consejos

### Buy the cave before you set off
The central weekend sessions sell out; the 16:00 one lets you eat in peace.

### Shoes with a good sole
The path is cobbled and wet leaves are slippery.

### Bring water
Check that a fountain is drinkable before drinking from it.

## Cuándo no ir

If it rains a lot: the cobbles become slippery. Swap the route for the Cinco Jotas tasting in Jabugo and keep the cave.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### Is the route difficult?
It is of medium difficulty: 5.5 km circular, about two hours, with a steeper last stretch.

### When is there most colour?
From late October to November, when the chestnut grove turns yellow.

### Can I pick chestnuts?
No. The chestnut groves are private land.

### Can you go with a dog?
On the route, on a lead. For the cave and the restaurant, ask beforehand.