Benalup-Casas Viejas: Rock Art, Nature Park and Hiking Trails

Part of Benalup-Casas Viejas lies within Los Alcornocales Nature Park; the Tajo de las Figuras rock shelter contains more than 500 schematic depictions of deer, birds and anthropomorphic figures.

Nature

The area around Benalup-Casas Viejas in Los Alcornocales Nature Park offers numerous routes, excursions and hiking trails. Several observation posts in the nature park make it possible to watch numerous bird species crossing the Strait during migration periods. The El Celemín recreation area, managed by the municipality of Benalup-Casas Viejas, is located in the nature park, around 9 km southwest of Benalup-Casas Viejas town centre.

A holiday apartment in Benalup-Casas Viejas can be assessed with regard to travel dates, room category and cancellation conditions. This information complements the destination’s different themes: nature park and hiking trails, rock art, prehistory, history, as well as church and local traditions.

The different trail lengths and the comparison of a hiking trail, guided tour and forest route offer several ways to plan a day. Those wishing to combine nature, archaeology or local history can consider these themes separately and factor the length of each route into their own plans.

More destinations

Other places in the same selection include Paterna De Rivera, Castellar De La Frontera, La Línea De La Concepción, Palmones, Medina Sidonia, Urbanización Novo Santi Petri, Pozo Amargo and Estella del Marqués.

Trails

The Tajo de las Figuras route begins at the El Celemín recreation area and follows a slightly elevated hiking trail, just over 600 metres long, to the rock shelter. A hiking trail just under 2 kilometres long connects the town centre via the Colada de Benalup cattle track with Benalup Castle and the Torre de la Morita.

The route covering the events of Casas Viejas is a guided tour through the central streets and to historically significant places. It includes more than ten points of interest and ends at the site of the present-day Espacio Conmemorativo Casas Viejas 1933.

Landscape

The La Gargantilla route passes through an extensive Mediterranean forest to the 361-metre summit of Sierra Momia. From this summit, there are panoramic views of Benalup-Casas Viejas, the Celemín and Barbate reservoirs, and Medina. Along the route, visitors encounter caves with Neolithic paintings and anthropomorphic tombs at the higher elevations.

History

The Cádiz Prehistórico Interpretation Centre is housed in a purpose-built building with exhibition rooms on three floors, an inner courtyard and an activity room. Its eleven halls present the prehistory of the province of Cádiz, including the customs, rituals and ways of life of the time and their development through the ages.

Church and local traditions

The Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Socorro is an eclectic church with medieval, Romanesque and Mudéjar features, high arches and brickwork. The Romería de Nuestra Señora del Socorro takes place on the first Sunday of May each year at the Las Lagunetas hermitage and is followed by a Mass.

To the higher-level travel overview: Cadiz.