Discover Cala: fortress, mining history and trails

Cala brings together historic buildings, traces of mining and trails through the landscape. Highlights include the hilltop fortress, churches and hermitage, mining and railway history, and trails through cork oak forests. Cala is one of the municipalities in the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park. When planning your visit, it is worth distinguishing between trails with different listed details and attractions with special access conditions.

Fortress, churches and hermitage

The Castillo de Cala is a small fortress on the hill above the town. It was built around the 13th century during Muslim rule. The route to the castle starts at Hostal La Muralla; check local conditions before setting off.

The Iglesia de Santa María Magdalena was built between the 13th and 14th centuries in the early Gothic-Mudéjar style. The church preserves an altarpiece from the school of Alejo Fernández, dating to the early 16th century. Access to the interior outside service times is arranged locally.

The Ermita Nuestra Señora de Cala is reached directly from the town via Paseo de la Ermita; local access conditions may vary. It stands on the site of an ancient Roman building. Fragments of imperial-era tombstones are embedded in its walls. It also stands out architecturally: the hermitage is considered one of the few buildings in Huelva in the transitional style between Romanesque and Gothic.

Mining and railway history

Visits to the Minas de Cala are available for groups by prior appointment. Confirm the appointment again before your trip. Roman mining work left behind a large underground excavation called the Galería Romana.

Mining at the Minas de la Sultana began in 1903; the mine has been inactive for more than 60 years. Its significant deposits consisted mainly of copper, with some gold as well. Near the Minas del Teuler lie the ruins of the Casa del Teuler. The former English colonial-style manor house was built by Germans to house the engineers working at the mine.

The mining railway also tells the story of Cala as a mining center: it opened in August 1905 and carried minerals for export to the port of Seville. Its remaining tracks and route can now be explored via signposted paths and trails. Another historic trace dates back further: glass furnaces from the Middle Ages have been documented in Cala, and the glass industry remained highly significant in the 16th century.

Hiking trails and landscape

The Sendero de los Contrabandistas is a 6.5-kilometer circular trail rated easy. It passes through the cork oak forests of Cala. About halfway along, the Las Tres Encinas picnic area offers a place to rest. Check local conditions and the situation at the rest area before setting off.

The Sendero Santa Olalla del Cala–Minas del Teuler–Cala is mostly flat and accessible to pedestrians and cyclists. This trail therefore has different features from the Contrabandistas circular route: here, the emphasis is on the flat profile and possible modes of travel, while the other route is described by its circular shape, length and difficulty level.

The route between Cala and Santa Olalla del Cala has fresh water and green vegetation; birds and amphibians share this habitat. Water levels and trail conditions may vary. Check local conditions before your trip.

Festivals and seasonal dates

During the Romería de San Roque, the pilgrimage route follows the Camino de los Contrabandistas. Floats, horses and pilgrims travel through the municipality to the pilgrimage site. The Romería takes place on the last weekend in May. The Feria de Cala, in honor of the Virgen de Cala, begins on September 7. Check the dates for the relevant travel year for both festivals.

In autumn, the Maratón BTT is one of Cala’s mountain biking events; it is described as a pioneering event in the region. If you plan to travel for it, check the date for your travel year.

Discover more destinations: Bollullos Par Del Condado, Zufre, Veredas, Cortelazor, Isla Cristina, El Álamo, Galaroza, Sanlúcar De Guadiana.

Go to the main travel overview: Huelva.