El Real De La Jara: Hiking and Heritage

El Real De La Jara combines walking trails around the Ribera del Cala with a rich cultural heritage. The town centre is distinguished by its great natural richness and diversity, particularly along the Ribera del Cala. The municipality lies in the Sierra Norte region and within the area of the nature park of the same name. Several themes can help you plan your trip: circular walks and a longer stage, as well as architectural landmarks and the town’s links to the Vía de la Plata pilgrimage route.

Hiking: comparing circular walks and stages

The walking routes vary in length, duration and format. The “Los Dos Castillos” circular walk is 2 kilometres long and is rated as easy. “Ribera del Cala” is also an easy circular walk; at 11 kilometres, with a stated duration of 3 hours, it requires more time. The GR-48 El Real de la Jara stage covers 13 kilometres, takes around 5 hours and is rated as moderate.

You can first choose between a circular walk and a stage, then decide based on the stated distance. For the two circular walks described by the municipality, distance and difficulty ratings may change with trail maintenance. The GR-48 stage is listed as taking around 5 hours.

Buildings and local history

At Castillo de El Real de la Jara, large sections of the walls and several cylindrical and square towers remain. Its features suggest that it is a Christian structure dating from an advanced phase of the 14th century. Iglesia Parroquial de San Bartolomé is a Mudéjar-style building with three naves; its main chapel has ribbed vaulting. The church also preserves several works from the 18th century.

Ermita Nuestra Señora de Los Remedios is an old Christian chapel. It may originally have been an Arab mosque, of which a mihrab may remain. The “Ruta Rafael Díaz” leads to numerous animal sculptures distributed throughout the town. The Exposición de Costumbres Populares is located at the Torre del reloj in El Real De La Jara.

Interpretation centres and pilgrimage routes

The Centro de Interpretación Ribera del Cala has four areas: monuments, flora and fauna, the Way of St James, and local mycology. It is located on the road between Santa Olalla and El Real De La Jara. The Geo-Ruta Batrocal can start at Plaza de Andalucía; another possible starting point is the medieval quarry opposite the sports centre. Stone from this quarry was used to build the castle.

The Vía de la Plata passes through El Real De La Jara, which pilgrims on the Way of St James travel through. The town is also home to the Centro de Interpretación “Iter Hispalense”, dedicated to the Mozarabic route “Vía de la Plata”. It pays particular attention to El Real De La Jara because the town lies at the end of the route’s fourth stage in the province.

Getting there and local character

El Real De La Jara is 80 kilometres from Seville and can be reached via the A-66 Autovía de la Plata. Products made from Iberian pork are considered a local culinary speciality.

Discover more destinations: Esquivel, Castilleja Del Campo, El Saucejo, Fuentes De Andalucía, Estepa, Aguadulce, Castilleja De La Cuesta, La Puebla de Cazalla

Return to the main travel overview: Seville.