Hiking in Ayamonte, Spain: Discover the Unique Marshlands and Salt Pans august 16, 2024 – Posted in: Spain, Travel – Tags: Andalusia, Attractions, Ayamonte, Hiking, Hiking Trails, Holiday, Spain, Vacation

A Guide to Beautiful Hiking Trails in Ayamonte

Ayamonte, located on Spain’s sunny southwestern coast by the river at the border with Portugal, offers a unique blend of hiking routes through marshlands to the south and rolling hills to the north. This charming town, refreshingly overlooked by large tourist crowds, is a true paradise for hikers who, like us, enjoy exploring breathtaking landscapes.

In 2024, we spent the first three months of the year in Ayamonte. We love hiking, and it doesn’t always have to be challenging – just something worth seeing! And there’s plenty to see in Ayamonte! Surrounding the town are several marked hiking trails, and in fact, the town is just a point on a vast trail network that takes you both up the river and around the coast.

We hiked on all the trails we could find, and here we share some of the best hiking routes in and around Ayamonte. You’ll also find tips on how to make the most of your hike through the unique nature surrounding the town.

NB! The stunning photo of the flamingos at the top was taken by photographer Heidi Kirk Nissen.

8 Beautiful Hikes in Ayamonte

Marismas de Ayamonte Natural Park

For nature lovers, a hike through Marismas de Ayamonte Natural Park is a paradise. This unique wetland area at the delta of the Guadiana River, just a few kilometers from Ayamonte, is an important ecosystem offering a wealth of flora and fauna.

The trails here lead you through marshlands where you can observe a variety of bird species, including flamingos and storks in their natural habitat. The fascinating marshland features both saltwater lagoons and hidden ponds, so stick to the trails. NB! The storks live at the power station on the old railway path leading to Isla Cristina.

Also, visit the Ecomuseo Molino Mareal El Pintado on your tour of the marshlands for a unique insight into the natural area surrounding Ayamonte. The museum is open in the mornings and entry is free.

Isla Canela and Punta del Moral: Beach and Nature

If you love the Atlantic Ocean and coastal landscapes, a trip to Isla Canela and Punta del Moral is a must. Here, you’ll find miles of wide sandy beaches, fragrant pine forests, and saltwater lagoons. The trails here combine the best of both worlds: the chance to enjoy the sun and sea while exploring the marshlands extending back to Ayamonte.

The towns are located 5 km from Ayamonte’s center, and you can walk most of the way on a combined bike and pedestrian path. If you prefer to save your energy for the beach, taking the bus from Ayamonte’s bus station is a great option. It costs €1.80 (2024) and takes about 15 minutes. The bus runs approximately every two hours, so some planning is required. Check the bus schedule here!

We’ve written more about the lovely coastal towns near Ayamonte, which you can read about here: Top Travel Tips to Your Vacation in Isla Canela, Isla Cristina & Punta del Moral

Hiking Route PR-A 467 – Around Ayamonte

For a shorter hike around Ayamonte, follow the PR-A 467 trail system. This lovely hiking route starts in Ayamonte and winds through the marshlands south of the town before sharply turning north into the hilly terrain to the west.

The trail then returns to Ayamonte and concludes with a loop around the town’s best viewpoint at Hotel Parador de Ayamonte, where you can enjoy views of the Portuguese coastline across the river. Along the way, you’ll delight in the beautiful Andalusian nature and pass by several small fincas in the area. The route is approximately 14 km long with gentle inclines, and being part of the official Andalusian hiking trail system, it is well-marked and easy to follow.

Hiking Route GR-114 Stage 44 from Ayamonte to Villablanca

This route is part of the 850 km long Camino Natural del Guadiana. The final stage of the route runs from Villablanca to Ayamonte and offers a fantastic insight into the nature north of Ayamonte and the landscape along the Rio Guadiana. The route is 20.1 km long and, despite its length, is on the easier side with a few, though quite steep, ascents. We chose to start the route from Villablanca. Since we couldn’t align it with the bus schedule, we took a taxi from Ayamonte, which cost €20.

We started with the most important part: a good morning coffee at Villablanca’s charming square. After that, we hiked back to Ayamonte. It’s a fantastic journey where you pass one stunning natural area after another, small fincas, and plenty of magnificent viewpoints. The area’s many olive and orange groves add a lovely fragrance to the hike.

The packed lunch can be enjoyed at the hike’s only “rest stop” about 7 km outside Villablanca, where tables and benches are set up for tired hikers. Afterward, the route continues towards the river, making a turn back onto the mainland around the town of Coste Esuri.

The newly built town itself isn’t particularly special, but the surrounding area features ups and downs through ravines and short steep climbs with views over the region. The hike ends at the riverbank in Ayamonte, from where it’s a short walk to refresh yourself in one of the town’s many cafes and restaurants.

The Railway Path from Ayamonte to Isla Cristina

Throughout history, the waters around Ayamonte have enriched the town. The waters are teeming with fish, and the large salt pans are a testament to a major export success. The salt helped preserve the fish before it could be transported inland by steam locomotive.

Today, many fish are still caught, but transportation now takes place on the highway. The old railway track has been transformed into a stunning hiking trail! The route runs all the way from the main city of Huelva to Ayamonte, but we particularly recommend the section from Ayamonte to Isla Cristina.

It’s a beautiful hike that follows the marshlands all the way to the salt pans in Isla Cristina. Along the way, you’ll encounter numerous pairs of storks and countless flamingos in the wetlands, both in and around Isla Cristina. The route is about 10 km long and mostly follows a flat, straight gravel path. The final part of the route follows a wide bike path along the road into Isla Cristina, passing by the town’s old salt fields.

Practical Tips for Hiking in Ayamonte

The hiking trails in and around Ayamonte are easily accessible, straightforward to follow, and require no special equipment. The area is flat with minor inclines north of the town. Most people can complete the hiking routes with good footwear and possibly a pair of trekking poles. The trails can be used year-round, but it’s best to avoid them on the hottest summer days and the wettest winter days, when some areas of the trail system might be underwater.

On many of the trails, we also encountered numerous senior hikers, whose legs might not be up for a 20 km brisk walk. Fortunately, e-bikes are available for rent in many places, and the trails are wide enough to accommodate everyone!

Where to Stay in Ayamonte?

Ayamonte, with its charming city life and scenic surroundings, is a true Andalusian gem just waiting for you to visit. Our extended stay in the city provided us with a lifetime experience, and we will definitely return another time. Ayamonte is there, tempting with its charm. It’s easy to book a few nights on the way to Portugal – or just because.

The city boasts a range of lovely hotels, and if you wish to vacation in Ayamonte, there are several options for a comfortable stay. Most tourists opt to stay near the beautiful beaches, particularly in Isla Canela, which also features a popular golf course. Along the beach, you’ll find plenty of delightful beach hotels, which you can explore by clicking the link here: Beach Hotels in Isla Canela.

If you prefer to stay in the city, the best hotel in town, Hotel Parador de Ayamonte, offers the most splendid view of the river and over to Portugal. For a more budget-friendly option in Ayamonte, the hotel apartments in the old monastery, Posada El Convento Mercedario (pictured), are highly recommended. Here, you stay close to the center in fully equipped apartments with views of the city and the sunset from the rooftop bar.

You can see all other hotels in Ayamonte by clicking here. You can also perform your own search for hotels in Ayamonte right here:

Booking.com

Where We Stayed During Our Long Stay Holiday in Andalusia!

For us, it has always been a dream to travel south as winter approached in Denmark. Pack the suitcase, lock the door, and just head off to the light and warmth. In Ayamonte, we found the perfect town house that became the setting for our three-month workation.

The charming blue and white town house, Flor de Sal, is located right at the top of the town, overlooking the salt flats. From the top terrace, you can also see the large Guadiana River and across to Portugal, and south all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

Inside, the charming decor was in the same blue and white color scheme, and it had everything we needed, including a workspace with a desk. In short, the house was everything we had been looking for: authentic, cozy, and with a private courtyard where we spent many hours grilling and just lounging in the afternoon sun. Read more about renting Flor de Sal by clicking on the pictures and links.