El Álamo lies on the foothills of the Sierra de Aracena. Three specific points of interest make it easier to choose a focus for your visit: the Encina de los Perros as a natural monument, the choice of length for the Sendero de las Cuatro Aldeas, and the Fiesta de la Cruz in August. They represent different questions to consider when planning. For the tree, access is restricted; for the trail, there is an optional extension; and for the festival, the specific dates matter. This makes it possible to consider nature, distance and local history as separate interests.
The Encina de los Perros
The Encina de los Perros is located on the Los Villares estate in El Álamo. Its canopy can provide 600 square metres of shade; the Junta de Andalucía has declared the tree a natural monument. This figure illustrates the potential extent of the shade. Access is restricted, but the tree can be viewed from the road. Check the current access situation before travelling so that you can take this restriction into account when planning.
Sendero de las Cuatro Aldeas: two route lengths
The Sendero de las Cuatro Aldeas is 11.35 kilometres long. The version with the optional section to El Álamo is 13 kilometres in total. The additional section is 1,650 metres long and includes the outward and return journey. You can therefore choose between the standard length and a longer version with an addition; the extension is optional and not a compulsory part of the route. Check the route specifications locally before hiking.
So, when choosing a route, there are two total-length figures to consider: 11.35 kilometres without the additional section and 13 kilometres with it. The 1,650 metres refers to the entire outward and return section.
The Ermita and Fiesta de la Cruz
El Álamo’s most important monument is the Ermita de la Santa Cruz. The year 1874 is recorded as the year the first chapel of the cross in El Álamo was built. The date is attributed to a tile that used to be at the chapel. This gives local history two points of reference: the Ermita as the most important monument and the recorded year of the first chapel. The date is linked to the tile that used to be there.
The Fiesta de la Cruz in El Álamo marks the end of the local cycle of Cruces festivals in August and is part of a well-maintained local tradition. The specific festival dates may vary depending on the programme. If the celebration is important to your travel plans, check the current dates before planning your stay around it. The time references serve different purposes: 1874 is a historical date for the first chapel, while August indicates the festival period; the specific days depend on the programme.
For the broader travel overview: El Madroño.
