Discover El Rincón

El Rincón has its own historical story, alongside natural attractions in the surrounding area. When choosing a hotel for your stay, the different highlights can help with your planning: the visitor centre brings together botanical and ornithological themes, the Salinas de Bacuta trail includes the salt works, and Enebrales de Punta Umbría is one of the few remaining mixed forests on the Andalusian coast. There is also historical information about El Rincón and the settlement of Rincón de San Antón, as well as the La Gravera Observatory in a landscape of freshwater lagoons and salt marshes. Each place has a different focus, allowing you to choose according to your interests.

Nature and landscape in the surrounding area

In the area around El Rincón, the Anastasio Senra Visitor Centre has a botanical educational trail, lagoons with a birdwatching hide, and a demonstration nursery for native vegetation. Plants and birds are the focus of different features: the educational trail and nursery relate to vegetation, while the lagoons and hide focus on birdlife. The Salinas de Bacuta trail also has an ornithological educational trail and a birdwatching hide. There are also viewpoints and a saltworks interpretation centre. Unlike the visitor centre’s botanical focus, Salinas de Bacuta explicitly combines birdwatching with the salt works.

Enebrales de Punta Umbría has a different landscape. In the area around El Rincón, it is one of the few remaining mixed forests of junipers and savin junipers on the Andalusian coast. There are signposted trails for walking and cycling. Alongside opportunities for observation and interpretation, woodland scenery and outdoor activity are therefore also specific nature-related options. The trails are designated for two activities; this does not provide information about their difficulty or walking or cycling times.

La Gravera Observatory is located in the area around El Rincón, in Puntales, a forest area within Marismas del Odiel, in the Cañada del Corcho y Rincón public forest. At La Gravera, disused extraction areas were restored as freshwater lagoons. The freshwater wetlands amid the salt marshes support a diverse birdlife. The observatory is built in the style of traditional huts that once provided homes for many families. These families depended on the resources of the marsh; the building style thus establishes a historical connection with the landscape.

A permit from the offices of the natural area is required to visit La Gravera Observatory. Alternatively, the visit can be arranged through the reception centre and the contracted operator. As permit requirements may change, check the rules before planning your visit. The Valle Romero recreation area is also in the surrounding area, within the Cañada del Corcho y Rincón public forest. This forest is owned by the Ayuntamiento de Gibraleón in Huelva.

Historical traces

Records show that in 1534, El Rincón already had 23 residents described as “vecinos.” Further information is available about the historic settlement of Rincón de San Antón: in 1636, it had a small community of residents. The settlement was finally abandoned shortly after San Miguel was abandoned. This highlights two distinct historical aspects: a dated population record for El Rincón and the history of the abandonment of Rincón de San Antón.

The natural destinations in the surrounding area offer a different way to experience the region: the visitor centre combines vegetation and birdwatching, Salinas de Bacuta links ornithology with the salt works, and Enebrales focuses on a rare mixed forest with signposted walking and cycling trails. La Gravera stands out for its restored freshwater lagoons amid salt marshes and the historical connection reflected in its building style. As you plan your trip, these different highlights can help you identify your interests in nature, landscape or history.

For the wider travel overview: Punta Umbría.