Walk to Santa Ana Waterfall and Peña de Arias Montano in Alájar

It was a beautiful spring afternoon so we decided to head off for a little walk in the country. We went to the “Chorros de Santa Ana” waterfall, near the village of Santa Ana.

It’s a 20 minute drive from Aracena, past Linares de la Sierra, Alájar and on towards Santa Ana la Real. At km17 there’s a sharp bend to the left. This is where the path begins. We parked here, near the park information board.

The first part of the walk is almost flat, heading very gently up the valley. It follows a stream which is crossed by two little wooden bridges along the way. After all the rains we’ve had this winter, the stream was bubbling along quietly and the vegetation was lush.

10 minutes into the walk, at the second bridge, the path takes a right turn up into the pine and oak woods. The track turns rocky and the earth is dry. It’s just 10 minutes to the waterfall from here, and this is where the path ends.

Rather than a waterfall, the “Chorros de Santa Ana” are a series of cascades as the water tumbles down from the rocky crag above.

We clambered up the rocks to get a closer look and found a little water pool. We perched ourselves on the rocks, had our sandwiches, and dangled our feet in the icy waters…

With our sense of adventure satisfied, we wandered slowly back to the car, taking in the beautiful scenery along the way. The whole walk took less than an hour and a half.

The sun was still up and the air was still warm, so we decided to pop in on the Peña de Arias Montano, in Alájar, on the way home. By the time we got there most of the visitors had gone and we had the place virtually to ourselves. My daughters love it there- the little craft stalls, the interesting chapel, the amazing views, the shops selling ceramics and local honey and cheeses, the gushing springs… but above all the delicous cakes in the restaurant!

Here’s some information about the Peña from www.andalucia.com

Peña de Arias Montano

Although it can crowded at weekends and holidays, the Peña de Arias Montano is a tranquil place during the week with superb views, abundant springs and good picnic spots under its cork oaks. The Ermita de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles was built on the site of a Medieval temple and has had several additions, most notably in the 16th , 18th and 20th centuries. Its interior was nearly destroyed in the Civil War and the 13th-century figure of the virgin has been restored. In the 16th century Philip II’s confessor and theologian, Benito Arias Montano, came here on retreat. In 1576 Philip II himself paid a visit to the Peña and meditated here in a cave subsequently called the ‘Sillita del Rey’ (the King’s Seat).

It has a wonderful whitewashed belfry set on the edge of the cliff away from the church. There is also a small visitor’s centre with information about the life of Arias Montano.

On 8 September there is an exuberant and colourful pilgrimage here, when the surrounding villagers come on foot and horseback, with decorated carts, for a day of drinking, eating and singing.