The Cerro del Hierro Natural Monument is located between the municipalities of Constantina and San Nicolás del Puerto, within the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park and very close to the Cascada del Huesna Natural Monument. It is home to a spectacular landscape where the interaction between nature and humans takes place, resulting in a paleokarst of great beauty and scientific and educational interest. The cave is also home to unique plant and animal species, nestled within a well-preserved cork oak forest dotted with other interesting trees such as the gall oak and the Pyrenean oak. Vegetation grows among the limestone rocks, as well as in the shady alleys and fountains. Various fern species can be found here, such as the common maidenhair fern, the white maidenhair fern, the small maidenhair fern, the golden fern, the hart's tongue fern, and the male fern, some of which are listed in the Red Book of Threatened Species in Andalusia. This ecosystem is ideal for the development of rock-dwelling species, i.e., plants adapted to life among rocks. There are numerous aromatic plants—thyme, lavender, and bitter chamomile—as well as shrubs—arbutus, bupleiro, mastic, and durillo—and climbing plants. In terms of fauna, the eagle owl and the black stork are critically endangered. Various birds, such as the blue rock thrush and the rock sparrow, can be observed year-round in the alleys and church towers. However, in spring, others join them, such as the wheatear, the red-rumped martin, and the bee-eater. In winter, the alpine accentor can be seen. The presence of iron in the rocks of this hill gave rise to mining, which this enclave maintained from Roman times until the last century. This work has given rise to a landscape of unique shapes and colors, dominated by towers, corridors, poljes and sinkholes, cavities, chasms, travertines, and karst. This unique beauty is due to the limestone cliffs, partially eroded by rain and snow, creating this spectacular karst that today attracts climbing enthusiasts. Some infrastructure elements still recall the mining past, such as the old railway line that connected the mine with the Los Prados-Cazalla station. Its development as the Sierra Norte Green Route allows you to explore it on foot or by bike. The route begins in the old mining village, where the workers lived, and at the Casa de los Ingleses, the residence of the mine's engineers and managers, who arrived from Scotland at the end of the 19th century. To discover the peculiarities of this natural monument, there is nothing better than a hike in autumn and spring along the Cerro del Hierro hiking trail, a route that explores the galleries and tunnels carved into the rock.
Translated by Google •
In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!