Activities in the Sierra

Walking, Running & Mountain biking

This is walking country and there are lots of good walks in the area. A book at the Mill describes these.

Horse riding

This is a popular pastime in the Sierra and there are a few riding centres nearby where you can hire a horse and a guide. Details are provided in the Mill of the El Chaparral Equestrian Centre in Aracena and the Picadero La Suerte Equestrian Centre in Galaroza.

Birding

The Dehesa woodlands and the Picos de Aroche contain a range of birds of great interest to the European birder. The gardens and woodland around the house include Greater and Lesser Spotted Woodpeckers, Crested and other Tits, Ortolan, Short-toed Treecreepers, Eurasian Nuthatches, Redstarts and Firecrests. Various raptors float above us including Griffon and occasional Black Vultures and Red Kites. In spring the Bee-eaters and Red-rumped Swallows appear.

Further afield there is the opportunity to visit the world-famous Coto Donaña National Park, the Odiel wetlands and Extremadura.

A local company can provide guides to show you the birds – languages covered include Spanish, English, French and Dutch.