Natural Environment
The natural environment surrounding the Aldea del Rocio, in the vicinity of the Doñana National Park, is a unique and diverse ecosystem that is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. This region, located in the province of Huelva, Andalusia, Spain, is known for its exceptional biodiversity and its importance in wildlife conservation.
Doñana National Park is the most outstanding wetland in Spain and in all of Europe. Located between the provinces of Huelva and Seville, since 1969 it protects a varied set of ecosystems represented by the Guadalquivir marshes. In these latitudes, next to the Atlantic Ocean, millions of migratory birds arrive every year, making Doñana an important wintering, passage and breeding place for hundreds of species, whose survival depends on its preservation. Its privileged geographical location in the south of Europe, close to Africa, makes it a true natural paradise with a rich biodiversity.
The National Park is home to unique species, some in serious danger of extinction, such as the Iberian Lynx and the Iberian Imperial Eagle. Large mammals and aquatic birds are easily observed in a territory that offers changing landscapes with each season.
The mouth of the Guadalquivir River, its beaches, dunes, marshes, riverside vegetation and biological diversity have earned Doñana international recognition as a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site.
In ancient times, these lands were home to the mythical civilization of Tartessos. Since then, they have been inhabited and exploited by various cultures, from the Romans to the feudal lords. Protection of the natural environment intensified over the centuries, culminating in the declaration of National Park in 1969.
Doñana's flora includes more than 900 species of vascular plants and ferns, many of them rare or endemic. The reserves are a refuge for a wide variety of vertebrates, including the emblematic Iberian Lynx and the Iberian Imperial Eagle, two critically endangered species.
For visitors, Doñana offers a variety of options, from Visitor Centers to guided tours and boat trips on the Guadalquivir. Two annual highlights are the Romería de El Rocío and the Saca de las Yeguas, which showcase the region's rich cultural and livestock tradition.
Aldea del Rocio, with its proximity to the Doñana National Park, serves as a starting point to explore this natural wealth. Visitors can immerse themselves in a unique environment where flora and fauna intertwine, offering an unforgettable experience in this exceptional corner of Andalusian nature.
Paths of El Rocío. Andalusia that leaves its mark
Vía de la Plata Trail
- La Ruta de la Vía de la Plata comienza en el Real de la Jara, atravesando los pueblos de Almadén, Castilblanco, Guillena y sus preciosas dehesas. Este camino es muy reconocido por su historia ya que lo hicieron los romanos para atravesar la antigua Hispania... Cuando llegamos a Santiponce utilizaremos los mismos senderos por los que se dirigen las hermandades peregrinando hasta el Rocío.
- 68,9 km
- 2 etapas
Sendero de la Alpujarra
- Este sendero comienza en Almería, atravesando pueblos de Alpujarra Almeriense y Granadina, como Instinción, Canjayar y Lanjarón, con paisajes montañosos y el Mulhacén, el pico más alto de la península. Disfrutamos de su arquitectura, gastronomía y amabilidad. Al salir de Lanjarón, entramos en el valle de Lecrín y continuamos hasta Alhama de Granada, conectando luego con la ruta hacia el Rocío.
- 278,46 kms
- 23 etapas
Sendero de Málaga
- Esta variante nos llevará desde Málaga a Antequera para despues seguir con la ruta de Garrucha hacia el Rocio. Es una ruta que va en constante ascenso ya que salimos desde el nivel del mar y tendremos que atravesar alguna sierra como la del cerro lanza, el puerto Pacheco y el Torcal de Antequera. También tendremos algunos pueblos donde abastecernos para continuar con nuestra marcha. En esta ruta podremos disfrutar del singular paisaje que nos ofrece el Torcal, con sus características formas rocosas.
- 55,27 km
- 3 etapas