Located in the heart of Sierra de Albarracín, El Bosque is one of the most charming towns in the Cadiz Sierra. If you want to experience the magic of their white houses and its cobbled streets, breathe the Sierra’s clean air or practice active tourism in one of the most favorable locations, this is the best time to visit El Bosque.
Route of the White Villages
This little town of barely 2,000 inhabitants is part of the famous White Villages Route of Cadiz. The whitewashed houses, the flowery patios and the fountains make of El Bosque an essential stop in this route. It follows the traditional style of the Arab towns, with narrow and cobbled alleys. Thanks to it proximity to other towns on this route such as Prado del Rey, Grazalema or Benamahoma, El Bosque becomes a strategic settlement of one of the most famous routes in the province of Cadiz.
The cheese
This gastronomic product may be one of the most important tourist enticement of Sierra de Grazalema. The local breeds of the mountain are the payoya goat and the meriño sheep from Gramalema. The cheeses from Sierra de Cadiz have won numerous awards and honours. And, thus, have become a reason to visit El Bosque and other producing towns of this delicious delicatessen. The cheese from El Bosque was chosen as the third best cheese in the world in 2016. Its Cheese Museum is a mandatory stop for all those who love this milk derivative product. In the museum you will be able to see its production process, taste a few samples, take a guided tour, buy local products and much more.
Nature
Surrounded by Sierra de Albarracín, Los Alcornocales and the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park, the possibilities of enjoying this natural environment are endless. Its medicinal water springs or the Majaceite river are some places that you cannot miss. Another way to enjoy this place is by hiking. From El Bosque there is a wide variety of routes. The lushness of its forests and the diversity of its fauna and flora will amaze you. You have routes like the one that connects El Bosque with Benamahoma, through the Majaceite river or the Sierra de Albarracín and the one of Garganta Verde, among many others.
Culture and history
Despite its small size, about 30km2, El Bosque houses a series of buildings and monuments that are worth visiting. The Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, the Ducal palace, la Ermita del Calvario, the Bullring… El Bosque, which holds the Provincial Beautification Award, is an ode to art in itself. The beauty and fineness of its streets and squares will enchant you.
Events
The Holly Week in El Bosque, the Romería, the Historical Recreation of the fight against the French in the nineteenth century, the Sierra de Cadiz Rally or the different sport events such as the Half Marathon or the Trail Running are a good moment to visit El Bosque. In addition, the romerias of the surrounding towns or the Moors and Christians Festival of Benamahoma, among many others, will give you an extra reason to visit El Bosque and other towns in Sierra de Cádiz.
Active and environmental tourism
Lovers of nature and sports are in luck. At El Bosque they will find the perfect symbiosis of both. In addition to the variety of existing routes for hiking and horseback riding, you will also be able to practice activities like archery, bicycle routes or paragliding. In fact, the town has one of the most important paragliding tracks in the province. Moreover, El Bosque is the perfect place to practice tourism focused on nature with activities such as listening to the rutting, mushroom picking or night routes to observe the stars.
Gastronomy
The tradition from El Bosque is reflected in a rich gastronomy where we can find the star product of Sierra de Cádiz: the payoyo cheese. You cannot miss the cured meats, made in a traditional way, or the oil, whose Denomination of Origin “Sierra de Cádiz” has made it a must for lovers of Andalusian gastronomic culture. The cuisine of El Bosque is part of the gastronomy of Sierra de Cadiz. Therefore, the meat of animals of the mountains, such as deer, wild boar or pig is used a lot in the cuisine. You will be able to enjoy it in the magnificient ventas and restaurants of this town, where eating is a real pleasure.
Accommodation
There is no better way to relax that spending a few days in El Bosque. To this end, the town has several charming hotels, as well as a youth hostel and lots of rural houses both in the historic center and in the mountains. You will be able to enjoy nature to its fullest. El Bosque is an anti-stress therapy that you cannot miss. Are you in?