Almonte archivos - Page 2 of 6

Sendero Charco del Acebrón

Next to the Acebrón Palace, built in 1961 by Luis Espinosa Fontdevila, begins the 2.1 km low-difficulty footpath that enters the protected area and brings visitors closer to scenes that, year after year and century after century, have distinguished these forests. During spring and summer, the forest is at its most splendid. After flowering, which occurs between December and April, the new leaves form a green canopy that closes off the space, creating a shady environment. Large ash trees flank the entrance, standing on the bank, very close to the water. The ash grove occupies dark soils that are rarely flooded but always remain cool. These large trees, with compound leaves and rough trunks, have been intensively exploited since ancient times.

Next, occupying almost the entire riverbed, is the willow grove. The footbridge allows visitors to see up close willows, locally called Zaos, and dogwoods, a species endemic to western Andalusia representative of Tertiary flora that survives in these cool, humid areas. Along with them, various climbing species: honeysuckle, wild grapevine and sarsaparilla form a compact mass of vegetation where countless small birds hide.

Beyond the riverside forest lies a pine forest of stone pines. This drier, higher terrain was occupied decades ago by eucalyptus plantations. Today, following the removal of exotic species, the native vegetation has been restored. Various woody species such as hawthorn, rosemary, mastic, rockrose, Moorish rockrose, gorse and spurge form the undergrowth of the pine forest and continue to gradually colonise the territory.

The trail enters the riverside forest again to cross the stream. Before leaving this second footbridge, interesting species of ferns such as royal fern and Thelypteris palustris can be seen under the willows. Behind them, the cork oak forest appears. Here the soil is dark and rich and accumulates abundant organic matter. In these more sheltered areas, peat bogs form, valuable and extremely fragile biotopes that are home to very rare plant communities characterised by the presence of ciliate berzo, dwarf gorse and numerous herbaceous species from humid environments. In the last section of the trail, several tributaries of the stream, known locally as algaidas, have a high density of vegetation with species such as sedge, cattail and masiega, among others. Alongside these algaidas are numerous specimens of white poplars that will accompany you until the end of the trail.

Sendero Charco de la Boca

The Charco de la Boca trail, which is easy and 3.8 km long, begins in the front courtyard of the La Rocina visitor centre. It consists of several adjoining paths, allowing you to organise your route according to your interests. The route heads towards the bank of the stream through a pine forest covered with a carpet of grasses. The stone pine is a species whose presence in the area has been documented since the 18th century and today constitutes one of the most distinctive landscapes of Doñana.

The first observatory overlooks the last section of the stream, where the channel becomes wide and shallow. During the seasons when the area remains flooded, countless birds populate these waters. The trail then enters the Algaída del Carrizal, a tributary of the stream that is covered with abundant vegetation. The footbridge winds its way through willows and reeds, offering a privileged view of the flooded areas.

Once you have crossed the stream, the pine forest continues, covering the entire route until you reach the second observatory over the stream. After this, you will see the Algaida del Meloncillo, another stream that carries water to the river. On both banks, the ground is covered with dense ferns, marking the transition to the riverside vegetation that covers the riverbed. Several large cork oaks stand out, located very close to the water next to the willows. At this point, the trail forks, offering the option of continuing along the footbridge or entering the pine forest again.

This second footbridge leads to flat, open terrain covered with white pine, where the pines give way to a canopy of white rockrose accompanied by various aromatic plants such as rosemary, lavender and almoradux. Around the stream, the ground is more humid and rich, and the vegetation diversifies, with the appearance of wild olive, kermes oak, mastic and palm trees.

Following the other branch of the trail, you will re-enter the pine forest and end up once again at Algaída del Carrizal, where reeds dominate the landscape. Climbing species entwine themselves among the reeds, supporting their long, flexible stems as they seek out areas of light; sarsaparilla, honeysuckle, bindweed and blackberries create a dense and intricate tangle.

Leaving the footbridge, the trail runs alongside the stream, offering a panoramic view of the different plant formations that line its banks, from the distant pine forests to the blanket of reeds and cattails that occupy the centre of the stream, passing through cork oaks, ferns and willow groves, in a great diversity of strata, colours and shapes.

Ruta Matalascañas-Sanlúcar de Barrameda

Countless gastronomic offerings, leisure activities, outdoor pursuits, nightlife, and water sports, as well as camel and horse rides through the dunes and along the shore, make Playa de Matalascañas an incomparable setting and a must-see for all audiences. A privileged place where light, nature and climate come together to offer the most beautiful sunsets and the most unique views of Torre La Higuera.

Matalascañas offers visitors a wide variety of tourist accommodation, including holiday apartments, guesthouses and hotels of up to four stars, giving tourists the opportunity to enjoy exclusive experiences, both inland and on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. It is an ideal destination for singles, couples and families due to its numerous services and options for relaxation, sport and entertainment, as well as for personal and business events. Without a doubt, this extraordinary setting offers visitors excellent facilities and quality service that guarantee a successful stay in Playa de Matalascañas.

A maze of trails and paths wind through an area of dunes and pine trees, where visitors can gaze out over the endless Atlantic Ocean on one side and a vast sea of green pine forests on the other. This is the Dunar Park, a truly delightful place where riding a dromedary across the dunes or horse riding along the shore becomes an unforgettable experience for nature lovers. With the aim of revitalising and restoring the area, the Parque Dunar Association organises hiking and environmental education activities, bringing together ecotourism, sport and leisure in this splendid Doñana Park.

Kilometres of cycle paths run through the Matalascañas residential area, passing through pine trees and scrubland along the Paseo Doñana, parallel to the National Park and connecting Matalascañas with Mazagón. Likewise, walking along the Sendero Dunar trail, visitors will discover the most important system of shifting dunes remaining on the Iberian Peninsula and one of the most spectacular landscapes in Doñana.

Throughout the year, Matalascañas organises popular races and sporting events for lovers of healthy living and outdoor activities. In summer, one of the most attractive and refreshing experiences visitors can enjoy is contemplating the coast of Doñana from the ocean itself and feeling it fully. That is why there are clubs and active tourism companies that offer a wide variety of courses and recreational, sporting and water activities for all audiences. Jet skis, sport fishing, sea routes, surfing, banana boats, sailing, pedal boats… endless possibilities to make summer not only healthy, but also fun and fascinating, all in the exceptional setting of Matalascañas Beach.

Matalascañas can be enjoyed not only in the summer season. The year begins with the Three Kings Parade and the popular Carnival, and summer kicks off with the impressive San Juan Festival. Numerous bars and nightclubs, leisure centres, craft fairs and street theatre enliven the days and nights in this tourist destination, which also caters for children in its recreational activities. Fun and educational workshops on the beach, camel rides, street music, boat trips, stargazing and trampolines with slides and trampolines are all part of the offering, making Playa de Matalascañas an attractive holiday destination.

The existence of optimal facilities, accessibility conditions and the range of services provided to users have earned it recognition as an Inclusive Beach, with an Ecoplaya Flag and the SICTED and Q for Quality tourism quality distinctions. It is equipped with seven lifeguard and surveillance stations along the entire length of the beach. There are also nine self-cleaning toilet facilities distributed along the promenade and in the urbanisation itself, which can be explored by city bus and enjoyed on the tourist train. There is also a taxi service and intercity buses that allow visitors to travel even at night.

Matalascañas offers a diverse cuisine, with healthy and tasty dishes in which the meat, fish and seafood from the Huelva coast are complemented by excellent vegetables from local gardens and washed down with the best wines from the region. Fried fish, Matalascañas clams, Huelva cuttlefish and white prawns, as well as Iberian meats from the mountains, are undoubtedly an attraction for the most discerning palates.

High-quality local products such as honey, olive oil and organic red fruits undoubtedly complement this great gastronomic offering, distributed among the numerous restaurants inland and the 23 beach bars along 4 kilometres of splendid sandy beaches.

Ruta Allamonte-Bollullos

This low-intensity route allows you to take a twelve-kilometre walk while enjoying the typical countryside landscape.

From Almonte, take the A-484 towards Rociana and follow the path parallel to the road. Take great care when you need to leave it to join the road, such as at the Almonte exit junction.

Continue left along the Monte Alto road after passing a paved road for about 500 metres.

However, if you wish to visit Rociana del Condado, which we recommend due to the beauty of its historic centre, take the two-kilometre detour that starts at point 5.6 on the road. Once in Rociana, you can return to the route by retracing your steps to the aforementioned Monte Alto road.

Heading towards Bollullos, the vineyards, which change so much throughout the year, become omnipresent. Crossing the different agricultural areas and fields, we not only get some exercise, but also gain a better understanding of the socio-economic structure of the county, which is so dependent on wine, cereals, olives and fruit trees.

Carril cicloturista del Asperillo

This cycle route runs along one of the most outstanding landscapes in the Doñana Natural Park: the El Asperillo cliff, from which it takes its name. This cliff, also declared a Natural Monument of Andalusia, is formed by sands that were once shifting dunes and which, due to a subsequent elevation of the terrain together with the action exerted by vegetation, gave rise to the current coastal cliff of stabilised sands that exceed 100 metres in height at various points.

Approximately 4 and 11 kilometres from the starting point of this cycle route, you will find the start of the Laguna del Jaral and Cuesta Maneli trails respectively, which offer splendid opportunities to enjoy this magnificent natural vantage point on foot.

Semana Santa

Holy Week in Almonte has grown in importance over the years thanks to the efforts of the residents themselves, who have worked hard to make it a significant event.

Holy Week in Almonte begins on Palm Sunday with the popular procession of La Borriquita, accompanied by children dressed as Nazarenes carrying palm leaves and olive branches. It continues on Wednesday, when visitors can enjoy the Brotherhood of El Cautivo and María Santísima del Rosario. The following day is Maundy Thursday, during the early hours of the morning, with the procession of El Gran Poder and Nuestra Señora de la Quinta Angustia, commonly known as El Silencio. On Friday, visitors can enjoy the Cristo de la Vera-Cruz and Nuestra Señora de los Dolores, ending on Saturday with the processions of the Brotherhood of Santo Entierro and Nuestra Señora en su Soledad.

Easter Sunday is very special in Almonte, as the Hermano Mayor (Grand Master) of the Hermandad Matriz de Nuestra Señora del Rocío (Brotherhood of Our Lady of Rocío) is chosen, who will be in charge of leading the people of Almonte to prostrate themselves before the Blanca Paloma (White Dove).

Saca de las Yeguas

The Saca de las Yeguas (Mare Drive) is one of the most emblematic traditions of the town of Almonte. There are numerous ancient historical references that attest to this event as an ancestral livestock event, which was officially regulated in 1504 by the Ordinance of the Duke of Medina Sidonia. This ordinance mentions the figure of the ‘yegüerizo’ (mare herder) and establishes that the livestock should be moved from the enclosed pastures to Almonte, coinciding with the feast of Saint Peter, patron saint of the town.

The following day, in the municipal enclosure known as the ‘Huerta de la Cañada’, after the animals had been distributed among the pens, the selection of mares and foals took place, along with the branding of the young foals and the sale of some of the animals.

Romería del Rocio

The Rocío pilgrimage is a traditional festival known throughout the world. It is celebrated in the days leading up to Pentecost, which is why its date varies between May and June. More than a hundred branches of the Hermandad Matriz de Almonte attend this pilgrimage, as well as non-affiliated groups and numerous other associations.

All the brotherhoods arrive at the village on foot and in carts. The services begin on Friday at 6 p.m. with the presentation of the brotherhoods at the feet of the Virgin, continuing on Saturday from 12 noon. From midnight on the same day, the Holy Rosary is celebrated.

On Sunday morning, Pontifical Mass is celebrated, in which all the brotherhoods participate, and in the evening, the Rosary of all the Brotherhoods takes place. Once this is over, the most significant and emblematic moment of this festival occurs: the jumping of the fence, which is performed by the people of Almonte to carry their patron saint on their shoulders until Monday at noon, after passing through all the affiliated brotherhoods.

Rocío Chico

On August 18th and 19th, the village of El Rocío celebrates El Rocío Chico. This tradition originates from a vow of thanksgiving that the people of Almonte made in 1813 after escaping from the French attack. The vow is dated August 16th, 1813, the year since which this more local festival has been celebrated.

On the 16th, 17th, and 18th, a preparatory triduum organized by the Hermandad Matriz (Madrid Brotherhood) takes place. At midnight on August 18th, a rosary procession takes place through the streets of the village, ending with the entrance of the Almonte simpecado (simpecado) into the sanctuary.

On the morning of the 19th, the people of Almonte fulfill the promise of this vow.

The days of the Rocío Chico celebration, despite the many thousands of people devoted to the Virgin who participate in the services, are days of intimate and family encounters with the Virgin, far from the festivities and pilgrimage atmosphere that characterize other moments of the Rocio calendar.

Fiesta de la Luz

The Festival of Light, also known as Candlemas, is a religious celebration that takes place in the village of El Rocío during the first weekend of February. This festival commemorates the Presentation of the Child Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of the Virgin Mary, following the Christian tradition that marks this event 40 days after the birth of Jesus.

Organised by the Hermandad Matriz de Nuestra Señora del Rocío, the celebration includes various liturgical and devotional acts. On Saturday afternoon, the Holy Rosary is recited, followed by a Marian vigil and a Eucharistic ceremony in the Sanctuary of the Virgin of El Rocío. On Sunday morning, the presentation of the children to the Virgin takes place, a ceremony in which the children, especially those under three years of age, are passed under the mantle of the image of the Virgin of El Rocío as a symbol of protection and blessing.

This tradition, revived by the Hermandad Matriz in the 1990s, has taken on a special significance in the Rociera community, becoming one of the most cherished events in the local religious calendar.