Senderos del Rocío
The sandy village of El Rocío (Almonte)
© AngPz91 · CC BY-SA 4.0

Camino de los Llanos

Camino del Condado

The natural gateway to the village: the shortest route, from Almonte and the Condado de Huelva.

Distance
≈ 15 km
Days
1
Difficulty
Easy
Terrain
Dunes and pine woods on the transition to the marshland

Access conditions

How, when and with what permits this way can be travelled throughout the year.

ModeStatus
On footAll year round
BicycleAll year round
On horsebackAll year round
VehicleNot permitted
CampingOnly in authorised areas
Fire riskSummer restrictions (INFOCA)

How to read the statuses

  • ✓No restriction
  • !Conditions or permit apply (see each row)
  • ✕Not allowed

The interior of the Parque Nacional de Doñana can only be travelled during the pilgrimage with the brotherhood or on authorised guided visits. Outside those cases, keep to the public tracks and waymarked trails.

Permits and regulations

Protected areas it crosses
Espacio Natural de Doñana (Parque Natural)
Competent authority
Junta de Andalucía (Consejería de Sostenibilidad y Medio Ambiente). Doñana is both a National Park and a Nature Park, a Biosphere Reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Seasonal restriction
High fire-risk season (INFOCA Plan), usually from 1 June to 15 October: take extreme care with fire and bear in mind possible access restrictions.

Elevation profile

↑ Ascent

+57 m

↓ Descent

−123 m

-344910 km4 km8 km12 km16 km

This is the shortest route — barely 15 km between Almonte and El Rocío — which makes sense given that Almonte is the municipality to which the village belongs. The final stretch, now shared, is known as "Los Llanos".

Along it come the Hermandad Matriz de Almonte itself and the brotherhoods of the Condado (Bollullos, La Palma, Rociana). Being the natural access from the interior, it is also used by far-flung affiliated brotherhoods, such as those from Madrid or Badajoz.

Who walks it

Hermandad Matriz de Almonte, the Condado de Huelva and affiliated brotherhoods from the interior of the peninsula.

Day by day

The stages of the way

A representative division: each brotherhood sets its own schedule and rest stops, which vary each year depending on Doñana.

  1. 01 km

    Departure via Los Llanos

    Almonte → Alto del Molinillo

    The departure from the parish of La Asunción is a crowded and deeply felt occasion. It links up with the historic Vereda de Sanlúcar; the Alto del Molinillo marks the start of the country road.

    Access

    On foot: All year roundBicycle: All year roundOn horseback: All year roundVehicle: Not permittedCamping: Only in authorised areasFire risk: Summer restrictions (INFOCA)
  2. 02 km

    Berry farmland

    Alto del Molinillo → Los Olivarejos

    Among strawberry and blueberry greenhouses, the farmland of Almonte gives way to the woods. The Olivarejos ford, over the Santa María stream, is the first recognisable landmark.

    Access

    On foot: All year roundBicycle: All year roundOn horseback: All year roundVehicle: Not permittedCamping: Only in authorised areasFire risk: Summer restrictions (INFOCA)
  3. 03 km

    Pine woods

    Los Olivarejos → Los Llanos-Matalagrana

    The most shaded stretch, among pine woods that offer relief after the May sun. The Los Llanos-Matalagrana area is the traditional resting point, also closely tied to the Saca de las Yeguas in August.

    Access

    On foot: All year roundBicycle: All year roundOn horseback: All year roundVehicle: Not permittedCamping: Only in authorised areasFire risk: Summer restrictions (INFOCA)
  4. 04 km

    Entrance via Los Llanos

    Matalagrana → El Rocío

    The pine forest opens up and the Doñana marshland can be sensed. After crossing the Fresas road, the village is entered through the "Los Llanos" area, closing a short route steeped in history.

    Access

    On foot: All year roundBicycle: All year roundOn horseback: All year roundVehicle: Not permittedCamping: Only in authorised areasFire risk: Summer restrictions (INFOCA)

The route

The way on the map

An indicative route through its main landmarks. The ochre markers show towns with accommodation: tap to see hotels in the area.

LegendEl Rocío (destination)AccommodationDrinking waterBar / restaurant

Use two fingers to move the map; Ctrl + scroll to zoom. · Points from OpenStreetMap; check opening times and availability on site.

Download & offline navigation

Download the GPX track and open it in your hiking app (OsmAnd, Wikiloc, Locus…) to navigate without signal.

Download GPX

Where to sleep

Accommodation on each stage

Prices and availability for the pilgrimage · Pentecost, 16 de mayo de 2027

Booking.comAlmonteSee hotelsBooking.comBollullos Par del CondadoSee hotelsBooking.comEl RocíoSee hotels

Affiliate links: booking through them costs you no more and helps keep this guide running.

Practical information

Getting there and back

Starting point
Almonte
Parking
Leave your vehicle in the town you set off from or in the village of El Rocío; the interior of Doñana has no open vehicle access.
Public transport
Public transport in the province of Huelva and the connection to El Rocío are operated by Grupo Damas. Check up-to-date routes and timetables before you travel. Buses (Grupo Damas) ↗

All the ways end in the village of El Rocío (Almonte). As these are linear routes, arrange your return to the starting point before you set off: support vehicle, pick-up or bus.

Safety and emergencies

Useful numbers

  • 112— Emergencies (general)
  • 061— Medical emergencies (Andalusia)
  • 062— Guardia Civil / SEPRONA (natural environment)

Recommendations

  • Walk early in the morning and late in the day, and avoid midday. Carry plenty of water, sun protection and a hat: in May the heat and the sand make the going much harder.
  • Mobile coverage is limited in the interior of Doñana. Download the GPX track to navigate offline and let someone know your route and timings.
  • During the fire-risk season (INFOCA Plan, from June to October) take extreme care with fire; in any emergency, call 112.

Frequently asked questions about access

Can the Camino del Rocío be walked outside the pilgrimage, even in winter?+

Yes. The ways run along drovers' roads and public tracks that are open all year round. Outside the pilgrimage they can be travelled on foot, on horseback and, on several sections, by bicycle. The best time is from October to May, as summer is very hot.

Do I need a permit to walk through Doñana?+

No permit is needed to walk along the public tracks and waymarked trails. Only the interior of the National Park, away from those tracks, requires access on an authorised guided visit; the pilgrimage with the brotherhood is the traditional exception.

Can it be travelled by bicycle or on horseback?+

On horseback, yes, on all the ways. By bicycle, along the public tracks and paths; on the sections that cross strictly protected areas it is best to check the conditions before setting off.

Is camping allowed along the way?+

Wild camping is not permitted in Doñana. You may only stay overnight in authorised areas and campsites, and, during the pilgrimage, in the places set aside by each brotherhood.

Other ways

See all →
Camino de SevillaCamino de MoguerCamino de los TarajalesCamino de Cádiz
Download GPXBook