Camino Viejo Path

The Camino Viejo is much more than just a recreational footpath. For centuries, it was one of the main routes linking Cazalla de la Sierra with the surrounding area, providing access to market gardens, pastureland, farmhouses, mills and farms scattered throughout the Huéznar Valley. Before the advent of modern roads, this network of paths underpinned the daily life of the local population and was essential for the transport of people, animals and goods.

Many of these paths date back to ancient times. Although their routes have undergone minor changes over time, in many cases they still follow paths used since medieval times and even make use of even older routes, always adapted to the topography of the land and seeking out the most favourable routes. Far from being the result of a planned design, these paths were the result of centuries of continuous use, becoming an inseparable part of the historic landscape of the Sierra Norte.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Camino Viejo is the diversity of landscapes it passes through in the space of just a few kilometres. The route starts in an urban setting and gradually winds its way into an agricultural mosaic comprising olive groves, small vegetable gardens, cultivated plots and old farms practising traditional farming methods. This type of landscape, characteristic of Seville’s Sierra Morena, reflects the close relationship between rural communities and the use of natural resources, where each area fulfilled a specific function within the local economy.

The descent into the Huéznar river valley brings about a marked change in the landscape. The constant presence of water fosters the growth of a well-preserved riparian forest, dominated by alders, ash trees, willows and other species adapted to damp environments. This green corridor is one of the most valuable ecosystems in the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park and serves as a refuge for numerous species of birds, amphibians, mammals and fish, as well as playing a vital role in regulating the microclimate and conserving the soil.

Historically, the availability of water made this valley a region of great economic importance. Along the riverbank, market gardens, flour mills and small hydraulic structures were built to harness the river’s power. Added to this, in the 19th century, was the construction of the railway line between Mérida and Seville, a crucial piece of infrastructure for the region’s development. The railway facilitated the transport of agricultural, livestock, forestry and wine products to other markets, boosting the local economy and improving links with the rest of Andalusia and Extremadura.

Indeed, the old Castillejo halt, visible near the route, stands as a testament to this transformation of the landscape. Although today the landscape conveys a sense of tranquillity, for decades it was a transit point for travellers, workers and goods connecting the Sierra Norte with the main cities of the south-west of the peninsula.

Walking the Camino Viejo today allows us to understand how nature and history have evolved inseparably. The terrain, the crops, the forests, the river, the traditional paths and the railway are all part of the same cultural landscape, shaped generation after generation by those who lived and worked on these lands. More than just a route, this trail offers a way of interpreting the history of Cazalla de la Sierra through its landscape.

• Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH). Landscape of Cazalla de la Sierra (Seville). Digital Guide to the Cultural Heritage of Andalusia.

• Regional Government of Andalusia. Sierra Morena de Sevilla Natural Park (formerly Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park).

• Cazalla de la Sierra Town Council. Natural heritage and traditional footpaths.