Western Doñana Walking Trip, Andalucía, Spain

A half-day birding walk through the wetland in the west of the National Park of Doñana in the province of Huelva. On that side of the Park, participants will do a 7-kilometre hike to visit El Rocio and the river La Rocina which enters the “Marsh Mother”, an astonishing birding spot when it is wet.

Meet your guide at El Rocio or arrange a hotel pick-up to do a private birdwatching walk along the edge of the freshwater marshes to get an extensive checklist including lots of water birds such as herons, storks, spoonbills, flamingos, ducks and shorebirds. But we should not keep our eyes down on the water all the time, as the mostly-ever blue sky is frequently crossed by birds of prey including harriers, kites, vultures and even the scarce Spanish Imperial Eagle sometimes.

Your local expert will introduce you not only to the birds of Doñana but also to the history and local traditions of El Rocio, a western-like town where the Pilgrimage Festival takes place, one of the most renown events in Spain that congregates over a million people there by Penthecost to celebrate the procession of the Madonna.

Another part of our walk goes through the beautiful pine forest of La Rocina, which boardwalk connects several bird hides that overview the river, where swamphens and ibis are easy to spot. In the spring, this is one of the best places to get close shots of Squacco and Purple Herons, with Crested Tits and Iberian Chiffchaffs singing along on the background.

This walking guided tour takes place in public sites of the National Park but the company of your local expert makes the experience unforgettable.

Tour Highlights:

Best introduction to Doñana National Park by a local expert.
We cross two main habitats: wetland and forest.
Extensive bird checklist.
We know the origins of the very picturesque town of El Rocio.
All levels welcome. We adapt the pace of the walk and our speech to your requirements.

How does birdwatching in the Andalucian countryside sound? If it is something you might be interested in then please check out The Countryside Bird Watching Trip, Andalucía, Spain.

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Why book with Wild Doñana?

We are a progressive young company having several years of experience guiding and a vast local knowledge of the region. We love our land and love how wilderness, history and traditions come all together in this corner of Spain. Doñana National Park is well known for its rich diversity of habitats and species of flora and fauna with Iberian Lynx and Spanish Imperial Eagle as the jewels of the crown. However, in the last few decades, the Park is facing several threats that compromise the conservation of those resources. Through ecotourism, we give a value to those as we generate an income for the local economy and keep in touch with the managers of the Park in order to improve its state. Help us to increase our concervation and educational work by joining us on a tour.

Is this tour really for me?

If you prefer to walk on a slow pace to enjoy the landscape and the bird sounds rather than rushing on a vehicle from point to point, this is your tour.

Do I need a minimum fitness level to join this tour?

This tour involves a walk of 7 kilometres so that is the only condition you must accomplish. It does not matter how fast you can do it as we walk at a pleasant pace. We stop very often to look at the birds and interpretate the environment and history of the Park, and there are benches in a few places.

Can I be collected from my accommodation?

You do not need your own transport to the meeting point at El Rocio as we can pick you up from your hotel (and drop you back off) in a driving distance of 30 minutes. For longer distances a fuel fee might be offered.

Do I enter restricted areas through this trip?

We cross some of the most beautiful corners of the National Park through this walk but those are in public areas. Excursions into the restricted side of the Park can be organised on 4WD vehicles.