Río Tinto Walk from Nerva
The waymarked SL-A 370 'Nerva, Río y Minas', an 8 km loop with 203 m of ascent beside the red, acidic Río Tinto, past slag heaps and the old Zarandas-Naya mining railway station.
About Río Tinto Walk from Nerva
The Río Tinto rises in the mining district of Riotinto and Nerva, where copper and silver have been worked for some 5,000 years, from Tartessians and Romans to the British-run Rio Tinto Company. Its acidic, iron-rich water runs red and ochre over mineral terraces. The SL-A 370 'Nerva, Río y Minas' is a homologated local trail created by Nerva council, linking the town with the river and the railway built in 1875 to carry ore to Huelva.
The loop starts by the municipal sports centre and motorhome area, passes the Teatro Javier Perianes Granero and heads west towards the tourist mining railway. It then follows the river downstream past the slag heaps of Zarandas to the old Zarandas-Naya station, which received ore wagons from the Corta Atalaya pit through 7 km of tunnels. The return climbs past the San Antonio pilgrimage field and the El Ventoso district. It is 8 km with 203 m of ascent on earth tracks and paths.
The walk is free all year. Do not drink, touch or bathe in the river, keep to the path near slag and scrap metal, and cross the tourist railway only at marked points. There is almost no shade. Park at the start in Nerva; the Ferrocarril Turístico Minero from Minas de Riotinto runs beside parts of the river.
October to May is best, and low morning or evening sun brings out the colours. Bring 1.5–2 L of water, a hat and shoes you do not mind staining, then visit the Museo Minero in Minas de Riotinto.
Río Tinto Walk from Nerva in pictures
What you’ll find
- Car parkParkingFree
- Circular routeLoop trailFree
- Family friendlyEasy for childrenFree
- Free accessFree visitFree
- HikingWalking routeFree
- ViewpointScenic viewpointFree
Nearby places to visit
The open pit of Corta Atalaya lies just north of the route, next to the Club de Golf Corta Atalaya (5 km), a golf course laid out beside the old mine workings of Minas de Riotinto. South-west, the Vía Verde de los Molinos del Agua (22 km) follows another mining railway, the Buitrón line, from Valverde del Camino to the Tinto estuary. Northwards the Sierra de Aracena begins: the Gruta de las Maravillas (22 km) in Aracena and the walled lanes of the Linares de la Sierra to Alájar Walk (22 km) are both under 30 minutes away by car. To the east, La Reserva Andalucía, El Castillo de las Guardas (16 km) is a large wildlife park.
Río Tinto Walk from Nerva at a glance
Category
Sports Outdoor adventures
Location
Cuenca Minera, Huelva
Town
Nerva
Address
Área de Autocaravanas, Calle Barranco de Enmedio (start of the SL-A 370 Nerva, Río y Minas trail), 21670 Nerva, Huelva, Spain
Opening hours
Open all year. Little shade: from June to September start before 10:00 or after 18:00.
Prices
Free; free parking at Nerva motorhome area and sports centre.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
More places nearby
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