Natural Park of Las Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas

This is the largest protected area in Spain covering over 2,000 square kilometres. Not an area the size of Wales, but more or less the same area as the Lake District National Park. The park was declared a Biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1983.

Huelga Utrera is located in best preserved area of the park. Sitting in the Segura Valley at an altitude of 1000m, this tiny aldea is no longer populated year round. The original residents of the aldea, most in their 80s, now winter elsewhere and return to the valley from early spring until the beginning of November.

At Easter and August, the village ‘fills’ and there are perhaps a total of 10 families - most with young children. The atmosphere is very pleasant, we organise our own fiestas in mid August and there is always some excursion or another planned. We’ll let you know exactly what is going on. Most evenings in the summer months our local entomologist, Fernando, will take the children in the aldea bug hunting, and there is the regular post siesta visit to one of the local pools for a dip.

Wildlife is the star of the show here, you are surrounded by lush forests and abundant water. The orchards around the village are visited nightly local game. Our garden is regularly dug by the boar, and the bushes trimmed by red deer. There are badgers, foxes and otters in the immediate area and with patience you’ll be able to spot them. Depending on how serious you are, bird watching could simply be a case of taking one of the deckchairs and a tea / beer / gin&tonic (delete as applicable) to the centre of the garden and watch the raptors soar overhead.

The night sky is incredible here. The altitude, cloudless skies and total absence of light pollution, make this a stunning spot for star gazing.

Shopping

The nearest supermarket or cashpoint is a good 45 minute drive away. From Spring to late autumn, the aldea is visited every other day by the baker. The local butcher visits once or twice a week and there are regular visit from other traders. The sound of a horn in the village square, will soon summon a queue of eager shoppers. Your neighbour, Genaro grows the best tomatoes you will have ever tasted and will be happy to sell you vegetables from his patch.

During the winter months, you’ll need to come provisioned but we can organise fresh bread to be left for you to pick up in the nearby Aldea of La Toba (with a year round population of around 12!!).

There are several bars and restaurants in the valley and you’ll get a complete list with our recommendations as part of your information pack.

Climate

Winters can be harsh here and a fall of snow is a regular occurrence. The 80cm thick walls, double glazing, central heating and log fire, ensure that you at least will be snug and warm. Spring comes late to the valley, but it arrives with a blaze of colour and new life.

Summers are what you would expect in Andalucia, hot sunny days. You won’t get the extremes temperatures Andalucia is famed for, but midday temperatures in the 30s are not unusual. One of the wonders of this area are the cool nights. You may be tempted to don a pair of trousers and a long sleeved shirt as night falls and perhaps even a light blanket on the bed, something most of Andalucia would find extraordinary.