What to do · Sierra de Aracena
Round the Cerro del Castaño, Chestnut Groves of Castaño del Robledo
Information
- Price
- Independent · free
- Duration
- 2 h
- Distance
- 5.5 km
- Season
- All year; in autumn, chestnuts and yellow leaves, from late October to November
- Who it's for
- Walkers; children used to walking
- With a dog
- On a lead: the path passes between fields with livestock
What It Is
This is the short, signposted Natural Park loop around the Cerro del Castaño, the hill that gives its name to the village of Castaño del Robledo. Five and a half kilometres in about two hours, along cobbled lanes between stone walls, vegetable plots and chestnut groves, with Iberian pigs peering over the gates in the acorn season. Higher up there are patches of gall oaks: it is the only gall oak wood in the sierra and the hill has the park's highest level of protection. Autumn is when it looks its best: chestnuts on the ground and yellow leaves.
The Route
From the Plaza del Álamo, Calle Arias Montano climbs; before it ends, a lane on the right marks the start. The path goes round the hill with the chestnut grove on the left, crosses the Galaroza pass halfway round and returns northwards, dropping down to the El Nogal spring. Looking back, through the clearings, you see the village and its unfinished church, the Monumento, with its roofless walls. The difficulty is moderate, a little more on the final stretch. It climbs from 752 to 848 metres.
Getting There and Parking
Castaño del Robledo is on the HU-8114, between the N-433 and the N-435, about 20 minutes from Aracena. There is no parking at the start: leave the car at the entrance to the village and walk up.
Rules
Follow the waymarks and do not enter private land. The chestnuts on the ground belong to the owners of the grove: they are not to be picked. Carry water and do not assume any spring is drinkable without checking.
Tips
- Go on a November Sunday Morning With low light, yellow chestnut woods and mist in the valleys, it is the best moment.
- Combine It with Aracena From Castaño del Robledo to Aracena is about 20 minutes: have lunch there and see the Gruta de las Maravillas in the afternoon.
Frequently asked questions
Is It Difficult?
It is of moderate difficulty, with a slightly harder last stretch. It is 5.5 km with a maximum ascent of around 96 m.
Can I Pick Chestnuts?
No. The chestnut groves are private land and the chestnuts are their harvest.
Do I Need Permission?
No authorisation is needed: it is a signposted Natural Park trail.
With teenagersWith a dog
