Between the towns of Matalascañas and Mazagón, following the Cuesta Maneli trail, lies the Acantilado del Asperillo Natural Monument, a system of fossil dunes stretching along twelve hectares of coastline.
It is considered one of the most unique coastal formations in terms of geomorphological and ecological characteristics on the Peninsula, as it is a sandy cliff formed by the sedimentation of wind-blown and alluvial sand, organic matter, and other materials. The different layers were deposited over time, and then the forces of the earth raised them more than 100 meters. The oldest materials are estimated to be between fourteen and fifteen thousand years old.
The waves and wind cause continuous changes in these dunes. From the long beach, you can see the different shades of orange, white, ochre, and black that stratify on their walls, creating whimsical undulations and geometric shapes interrupted by gullies. The profile is notable for its almost complete lack of vegetation due to the harsh coastal conditions and steep slopes. At the top, settled in the sand, there are gorse, sea lavender, junipers, savin junipers, and reforested stone pines. This tree’s roots fix the sand in place, preventing the dunes from advancing. These environments are home to endangered species such as the spur-thighed tortoise, the snub-nosed viper, the Iberian lynx, and the mongoose. Venturing in to contemplate the landscape or bathe on one of its beaches are some of the options for enjoying this protected natural area.
La Rociana is near the village of El Rocío, on the lower course of the stream of the same name. This centre serves as the starting point for an interesting trail that runs along part of the stream and aims to explain the plant formations found there, such as pine forests, fern groves, heaths, brambles and reed beds, as well as the typical vegetation of the white mountains, mainly consisting of rockroses and aromatic scrub such as lavender, rosemary and thyme. In addition to explaining these plant formations, the visitor centre showcases the fauna present in them, where migratory and aquatic birds abound, such as the bulky greylag goose, the striking purple swamphen and the endangered squacco heron.
El Acebrón is an old palace-house, built in the second half of the 20th century, which has subsequently been adapted for the dissemination and promotion of the ethnographic heritage of the Doñana National Park. The exhibition Doñana y el hombre (Doñana and Man) offers visitors the opportunity to learn about various aspects and peculiarities of the relationship between the locals and their natural environment. It shows everything from what their huts or dwellings were like, built from plant materials found in the surrounding area, to the hierarchical organisation of the family. It delves into the harsh life in the marshes and the traditional trades that were carried out there, such as hunting, fishing and livestock farming. The exhibition also deals with the current evolution of other uses such as strawberry farming, tourism and hospitality. Of course, it does not forget deeply rooted traditions such as the Saca de las Yeguas (the gathering of the mares) or the world-famous Romería del Rocío pilgrimage.
The current Iberian Lynx observatory is located on the “Huerto y Pajas” footpath, next to the El Acebuche visitor center. On the way to the observatory, you can admire one of Doñana’s most representative landscapes, the “cotos,” formed by heterogeneous scrubland, dotted with small groves of stone pine trees and scattered junipers, wild olive trees, and cork oaks. This landscape is the ideal habitat for small and large mammals: rabbits, deer, fallow deer, wild boars, mongooses, foxes, badgers, and even Iberian lynxes. It also offers ideal nesting areas for various species such as the red kite, booted eagle, imperial eagle, kestrel, and azure-winged magpie, among many others.
The importance of conserving the habitat of the Iberian lynx, a species representative of this territory, has led to the development of Educational and Interpretation Programs, guided by specialized personnel, who walk the footpath and where it is possible to see several specimens of Iberian lynx from this observatory.
Visits to this observatory are free of charge, but advance booking is required. Reservations can be made at the El Acebuche Visitor Center itself, by calling 959 439 629, or through one of the authorized tour companies that include this visit in their range of services.
This center is a must-see for all ornithologists and nature lovers visiting this unique area. Located here are the SEO/BirdLife offices in Doñana, which serves as the central hub for a wide variety of conservation, ringing, training, environmental education, and volunteering activities. From its spacious terraces, visitors can observe spoonbills, flamingos, glossy ibises, herons, thousands of waterfowl, and, very frequently, the rare Spanish imperial eagle. Thanks to the collaboration of Zeiss, the center provides visitors with high-end telescopes and binoculars. Furthermore, the center’s expert staff is available to provide the most specialized information on the birds of Doñana, the latest sightings of interest, rarities, and information on the best routes. Throughout the year, this center offers a diverse program of training courses, environmental education workshops, scientific ringing campaigns, talks, and volunteer days—activities in which anyone can participate.
El Acebuche attempts to piece together the mosaic of the Doñana Natural Area through its interpretive exhibition. Beaches, marshes, forests, dunes and the transitional ecosystem, the vera, are integrated with the anthropological vision of those activities traditionally carried out in this environment. The exhibition also explains the transformation that the landscape undergoes during the different seasons and the importance of this wetland for the conservation of a large number of migratory birds. It offers programmes for schools and Nature for All (aimed at people with disabilities).
Cuesta Maneli is an unspoiled beach located in the municipality of Almonte, between the coastal towns of Matalascañas and Mazagón, in the Doñana Natural Area, within the Asperillo Cliff Natural Monument, designated as such due to its high geological and ecological value.
To reach the beach, you have to cross a 1,371-meter footbridge, which is free to use and allows you to walk across the Asperillo dune until you reach the cliff. From the viewpoint, a staircase takes you down to the beach.
This route allows you to learn about the importance of vegetation in the formation of this ecosystem. Thanks to their roots, the shifting dunes are stabilized, settling the sand and preventing it from moving.
A variety of small plants can be seen, which have managed to adapt to the extreme conditions of this area, resisting constant winds and drought conditions. Examples include the barrón, a pioneer in the colonization of sandy soils, and the camarina, a species exclusive to the Atlantic coast of the peninsula that has a small white fruit known as the pearl of the dunes. or other more exclusive species such as the toadflax, as well as scattered pine, juniper, and savin trees. The presence of animals is evident from the tracks they leave in the sand, and from the cliff you can see terns, gulls, plovers, and sandpipers running along the beach.
Numerous species have strategies for surviving the Peñuelas fire that took place in 2017, such as regrowth and the production of resistant seeds. Thus, although the situation is extremely fragile, with the help of restoration efforts, much of the native vegetation of Asperillo is recovering.
