ANDALUSIA – HUELVA - SIERRA DE ARACENA AND PICOS DE AROCHE NATURAL PARK
Welcome to Molino Río Alájar, formerly a solitary mill by the river, now a beautiful estate with six holiday homes built of natural stone.
Molino Río Alájar is nestled in a pristine valley, near the charming village of Alájar (a 20-minute walk), regarded as the jewel of the Sierra de Aracena Natural Park. This relatively undiscovered part of Spain is a paradise for young and old, hikers, birdwatchers, horse riders, and sun and nature lovers alike. In the ancient villages, dotted across this vast expanse, life's pace is still dictated by the rhythm of the donkey. The houses at Molino Río Alájar offer comfortable rural accommodation in a unique Spanish setting.
We are delighted to welcome families, couples, and children of all ages. Pets are also welcome in our homes.
There is plenty to do on and around the estate. We have a swimming pool, tennis court, table football, table tennis, a pétanque court, and outdoor chess. You can also go horse riding, cycling, or hiking along the numerous trails and paths that crisscross the area. In nearby Alájar, you'll find numerous bars and restaurants serving the most delicious regional dishes of Andalusian cuisine. Throughout the year, there are celebrations and festivals in the sierra. Each season has its own colours, scents, and typical dishes. If you've never visited this area, you'll be in for a pleasant surprise.
Welcome to the Natural Park
Welcome to the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park, declared as such in 1989. With its rolling mountains and white villages scattered across the landscape, this area is situated in the westernmost part of the Sierra Morena, the longest mountain range in Spain.
It has a population of just 40,000 inhabitants spread over a territory of more than 3,000 km², making it an ideal destination for nature lovers, hikers and those who want to get away from the hectic pace of modern life.
The character of the villages has hardly changed over the centuries. Their history is reflected in the architecture and the surrounding landscape. During your walks you will find paved paths from Roman times, old abandoned water mills and Muslim fortresses high up in the mountains.
As you walk, you can still see mules ploughing small orchards, hear the tinkling of herds of goats among cork and chestnut trees and the constant murmur of streams and springs, which are very abundant in these mountains. The water springs directly from the rock, from the slopes or from the numerous springs in the villages, and is generally drinkable, except where “non-drinkable water” is expressly indicated.
If you look up into the sky, you may spot buzzards, buzzards and kites, as well as beetles and hoopoes in bright colours. And, with a bit of luck, you might even see the blue flash of the angler skimming the surface of a river.
In any season of the year, the Sierra has something special to offer.
Spring brings an explosion of colours thanks to the wild flora: lilies, orchids, peonies and gladioli.
Summer is a time for fairs and festivals. The streets of the villages rest in the heat of the afternoon and, when night falls and the breeze blows, people go out again to enjoy a cool beer and some tapas.
In autumn, the countryside is transformed once again when the leaves of chestnut, poplar, walnut and fig trees turn from green to gold, reddish and brown, creating landscapes full of nuances.
At the end of autumn the first rains arrive, as expected. The earth, parched and cracked, absorbs the fallen water and in a few days the Sierra is once again green and lush, inviting the visitor to go for a walk on sunny winter days.
In the Sierra there is no heavy industry, which allows you to enjoy clean, fresh air, where the scent of thyme and rosemary mingles with that of pine. Many of the villages make their living from the Iberian ham industry. The drying sheds - where the hams are cured - are found above all in Jabugo and the surrounding area, known throughout Spain for the quality of this product.
It is common to see pig herds of Iberian pigs feeding among holm and cork oaks on the acorns that fall to the ground in autumn. Other highly prized local products are chestnuts, walnuts, honey, goat's cheese and wild mushrooms. During the autumn it is common to see the inhabitants of the villages going into the forest with basket and knife in search of mushrooms. The place where the best mushrooms are found is usually a very well-kept secret.
During your walks you can follow the routes we have prepared or the official trails of the Natural Park, marked as G.R. (Gran Recorrido) and P.R. (Pequeño Recorrido).
We ask that, during your routes:
To consult the maps of the trails, Click below each name. The files are available in PDF format.
All paths
The Castaño Walk
Long Walk
The Molinos Walk
The Hippy Hike
The Linares Walk
The Mountaintop Walk
The Gorge Walk
The Cabezuelo Walk
The Madroñeros Walk
The city of Sevilla is less than an hour and a half away by car. There you can return to the lively rhythm of the city. Seville is a beautiful city, with great architecture, history and excellent bars and restaurants.
However, we are sure that, after a few hours, you will long again for the peace and quiet of the Sierra.
Detached house with terrace and unobstructed views of the valley. El Águila can accommodate 2 adults and 2 children. The house has a living room with a fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen, underfloor heating, one bedroom with a double bed, and a bathroom with a bathtub. On the upper floor, there is a small gallery […]
The Owl is the smallest of our cottages, cosy and ideal for a couple's stay. It has an open-plan living and sleeping area, with a wood-burning stove, equipped kitchen and bathroom. The double bed can be separated to create two single beds. The cottage has radiator heating and air conditioning.
House with capacity for 4 people, spread over 2 floors. The ground floor has a living-dining room with a fireplace, underfloor heating, 2 sofas and an armchair, a fully equipped kitchen and a bathroom with a shower. Downstairs is the master bedroom, equipped with a double bed, air conditioning and a private bathroom with a shower. The upper floor […]
La Cigüeña can accommodate 4 people. It has a spacious living room with a fireplace and two sofas, a fully equipped kitchen and underfloor heating. Upstairs, there is a bedroom with two single beds and air conditioning. The main bedroom has a double bed, air conditioning and a private bathroom with a shower, […]
La Tortuga is a spacious and bright house for 5 people. The entrance opens into a hallway. The living-dining room has a fireplace, sofa and armchairs, underfloor heating, and a fully equipped kitchen. A large bay window offers views of the garden and hills. The bedroom has a double bed and a bathroom with […]
La Zoya has a lounge with a fireplace and sofa, with an integrated dining area and kitchen. The house opens onto a terrace with views of the riverbank. From the lounge, a few steps lead down to a bedroom with two single beds and a bathroom. The second bedroom has a double bed and a bathroom with a shower. The […]