SIERRA MORENAPATH PROVINCE OFCÓRDOBA Scale 1:30000and1:75000 ANDALUCÍA 10 Trailmaps

GR-48Córdoba 1 GR-48Córdoba 2 National Book Catalogue Number: XXXXXXXX Abén AljamaMartínez Grupo deDesarrollo RuralSierraMorenaCordobesa Zumaya AmbienteCreativo Miguel CarrascoCasaut; page63. Adamuz Council;page24. Obejo Council;page21. Almodóvar delRíoCouncil;page19and 43. Posadas Council;page18. Hornachuelos Council;page17. 48, 49,60,82,83,92,94,95,106and118. Juan ManuelDelgadoMarzo;pages15, 34,37,44,45, ADIT SierraMorena;pages22,27,60,61and68. Illustrations: Karmen Domínguez(translation) Pedro Peinado(graphicdesign&ilustration) Stela MaríaAlcántaraGuerrero(cartography) Gloria ParejaCano Juan RelañoMoyano Zumaya AmbienteCreativo Produced by: [email protected] www.senderogr48.com 957350273 Cerro Muriano-Obejo(Córdoba) Calle Retama,114350 ADIT SierraMorena Commissioned byandCopyright: SIERRA MORENAPATH PROVINCE OFCÓRDOBA List ofSpecies...... Useful Information...... …………………………...... Stage 10.Montoro-Marmolejo ……………………………...... Stage 9.Adamuz-Montoro...... ……………………………...... Stage 8.GuadalmellatoRiverDam-Adamuz………..….... Stage 7.Obejo-GuadalmellatoRiverDam...…………...... Stage 6.Villaharta-Obejo...... ……………………………...... Stage 5.CerroMuriano-Villaharta…..……………………..... Stage 4.S.MªdeTrassierra-CerroMuriano...………….... Stage 3.AlmodóvardelRío-S.MªdeTrassierra...... Stage 2.Posadas-AlmodóvardelRío………...... …...... Stage 1.Hornachuelos-Posadas………………….………...... Towns andVillages………………………………………………..... Presentation ……………………………………………………………..... Introduction ……………………………………………………………..... List ofContents ANDALUCÍA 143 127 109 98 90 80 72 64 53 41 36 28 17 6 4

GR-48Córdoba 3 4 GR-48Córdoba tures located on the route. The reading will help the walkers to pay atten- well as on the most interesting historical, cultural and ethnographical fea- as walk the of difficulty and profile, elevation and route distances, times, in order to facilitate the walking. It also features information on estimated maps relevant and sketches pictures, texts, provides guide The walk. the throughout exhibited aspects cultural and beauty natural the appreciate undiscovered walks in southern Andalusia. It has blissfully been the designed of for some to better topo-guide hiking essential colour full a is This east, to embraces anastonishingterritoryworthyofvisitingorliving init. west from here described journey, The province. Huelva with border the at Portugal in located village a Barrancos, is point starting The through the provinces of Huelva, Sevilla, Córdoba and Jaén in Andalusia. route marked way of kilometres 590 a is Track’ Morena ‘Sierra GR-48 The tal values. growth of the region proper without compromising its a cultural and environmen- reinforce will that and based are others many which on tivity ac- outdoor fundamental the as seen is hiking time, same the At visitors. to regions highland the introducing for tool important an be to appears activity outdoor this position, healthy and environmental an From king. hi- around projects and activities many supporting is Morena Sierra ADIT Córdoba andJaénprovinces. Sevilla, Huelva, from institutions private and public other includes also Asociación para el Desarrollo Rural de la Campiña Norte de Jaén. The group the and Cordobesa Morena Sierra de Rural Desarrollo el para Asociación na; the fo- Picos de Aroche; Asociación Grupo by de Desarrollo Rural Sierra Morena Sevilla- established organization bodies: profit llowing non a is Territory) Sierra Morena of Development Integral an for (Association Morena, Sierra ADIT Morena, Sierra de Territorio del Integral Desarrollo el para Asociación The INTRODUCTION Asociación Grupo de Desarrollo Rural Sierra de Aracena y Aracena de Sierra Rural Desarrollo de Grupo Asociación backpack ofthosecultureand naturelovers. Certainly this is a much essential guide which cannot be missing from the tion foratleastonenight. where the hiker may find supplies such as food, drinks and accommoda - off and most finishes in a well-equipped small town, village or settlement culty of each section determines its length. Every stage of the route starts diffi- technical The walking. just or riding horse biking, mountain for ble In general, this is an easy to follow route. Each section of the trial is suita- sources usesandcostumesaswellotheractivitiesaround those. re- natural about out find to chance the walker the give will it Moreover, way. along located towns small the in rooted still is tradition much how discover to way amazing an is It land. the and beings human between centuries through established relation harmonious the evidences itself the walker’s interest and curiosity about the reality around them. uplifting The while walk environment the and walker the between complicity up sites the walkers will find on their journey. We do believe that hiking stirs the each of overviews detailed are included Also province. each in it to about the natural world and how human beings have traditionally related information general some with introduced is route the of section Every journey. walkers’ vision of the track as well as providing a complete picture of the the enhance certainly will topo-guide hiking This through. goes trail the to easier find will where regions and provinces the readers between shades many the understand addition, In year. the of season any at across with come may they features environmental many the appreciate and to environment; natural the on left footprint the perceive to features; natural singular discover to labour; countryside of ways different to tion

GR-48Córdoba 5 6 GR-48Córdoba In Spain, this outdoor activity is managed by the FEDME (Federación Es- (Federación FEDME the by managed is activity outdoor this Spain, In hiking asaway forsportinganddoingtourism upinthemountain promote to starting Switzerland and Belgium Netherland, Germany, as countries other soon and established was Pedestre) Randonnée la de se siting places. Shortly after the World War II, the FFRP (Fédération Françai- It seems to be in France where hiking was considered as an activity for vi- ABRIEFNOTEABOUTHIKING the peculiaritiesofpeoplelivingin. and country a of wealth environmental the both discover to way less harm- and engaging most a is hiking that said be could it far, So safety. walkers ensures and facilitates also system This roads. rural and yways alle- rivers tracks, animal paths, countryside on posed is marks and ns sig- regulated of system thoughtful a trail, the by covered areas the of heritage natural and conditions environmental the environment. sustain the to order onto In impact low posses which activity an is Hiking historical heritageoftheplaceslocatedthroughouttrial. and ethnographic cultural, social, the of knowledge deeply much a ve achie- also but walking outdoor very enjoy only not ramblers since popular becoming is activity outdoor developed recently This hiking. for designated preferably are uses- public of they -all paths riverside and Spain, In Federations. Mountaineering tional na- different the by endorsed mainly are paths These paths. and tracks Hiking is a non-competitive sporting activity which takes place on rural HIKING PRESENTATION local paths paths local pecuarias, vías s. • SLs.Thoseareeasy walkswhichcoverlessthan 10 kilometres. of location a to up interest. walkers the taking for or sites natural singular and and 50 kilometres. These short journeys are designed for visiting specific 10 between distance any cover that walks one-day or Half-day SPRs. • as EuropeanInternationalPath (E). SGR journey. affordable much routes that run through a more than three European countries are for classified sections several is into route split SGR A usually other. each from away far really sites single or regions countries, link and kilometres 50 over run that tracks are Those SGRs. • distance paths)andSL(localpaths). In Spain, footpaths are classified into SGR (long distance paths), SPR (short and cycling horse riding. for suitable are footpaths Most boards. interpretation marks and paint arrows, direction mileposts, or milestones such signs tion direc- with equipped well path pedestrian a is It roads. traffic and macs Wherever possible, a homologated path will avoid crossing or using tar- compromised tothepathmaintenanceandcare. fully body legal a is there that and described thoughtfully is route the re trade mark signs. It does also mean that there is a writing topoguide whe- This registered of system a and marked well place homologation. in are route the that means footpath a for responsible body the is FEDME The PATHSHOMOLOGATIONANDSIGNPOSTING ked trails. waymar- about regulation of require does it time the at mountaineering to related directly as seen is Hiking activity. outdoor this of management the for charge in body the Escalada) y Montaña de Deportes de pañola

GR-48Córdoba 7 8 GR-48Córdoba Finger pointer on restricted areas; certain protected sites of a natural park; for using coo- using for park; natural a of sites protected certain areas; restricted on trespass restricted areas. You may need might to getyou especialif permitsdepartment forenvironment walkingthe from permissions updated Get ces throughvividconversation withlocals. enhan- experience Ramblers’ area. the know best they since people local out your time realistically. Take the advice culled by other hikers and ask to Gather information and use accurate maps for planning on the route. Work BEFORETHEWALK prevent anyunforeseenincidentstheymayoccuralongtheroute . ment we are going to take with us. It is also worthy to give lengthy thought to ting any outdoor activity, we need to carefully ponder over the stuff and equip- To maximize your enjoyment and minimize problems on the trail, before star- RECOMENDATIONS • Waymarking Continue straight Trail turn Milestone orMilepost direction Wrong calls: 112 low or no-signal areas. Remember the Spanish numberTake a formobile phone with emergencyyou even you might find yourself walking in a or mountaineering oneandabasicfirstaidkitequippedfortopicalinjuries. lantern hiking a knife, Army Swiss a food, energetic some hat, med brim- a moist, lips and cream sun sunglasses, maps, useful and topoguide the bottle, water a pack: your in essential are items following The reach. easywithin waterprecious keep thatholdersbottle has it if Betteritems. personal your tote to capacity enough with daypack quality good a Get be uncomfortableinwetorwarmweather. polyester hiking pants are preferable to jeans or heavy cottons, which can Lightweight departure. before thoroughly boots your in break to member enough provide support and you not may experience do internal injuries boots such sprains. your Re- if lot a suffer will ankles Your breathe. to feet with a Gore-Tex lining that keeps rainwater from seeping in yet allows your most the perhaps important are tool whenBoots hiking. one. Get a pairright of lightweight,the is over-the-ankleequipment boots your sure Make tion withinthelimitsofprotectedareas. accommoda- or refuge mountain a using for and fire; a lit or devices king tions aboutseasonal restrictionsonfirewill reduce theriskofwildfir be designates areas where you are allow to lit a fire. Obeying area regula- • OURRELATIONSHIPWITH NATURE imbalances. metabolic prevent to order in drink isotonic water an have Drink then and now every and, frequently hydrated. well yourself Keep flat appears tobearightwalkingrhythm. on hour per km 4 to 3 of pace walking A cooling. muscles prevent to stops longed breathing pro- Avoid oxygenated. better you keep will the to pace walking your ching Mat - steadily. walking yourself find you until speed your increase progressively and pace slower a to walk your start to important is It mize strenuousexercising. mini- to order in potential physical your to a hiking is for techniques combine it to idea good condition, top in are you if Even ty. Hiking may produce threats to personal safe- ALONGTHEWALK Fire is perhaps nature worst enemy. Along the walk, surely there will there surely walk, the Along enemy. worst nature perhaps is Fire e. 9 GR-48Córdoba 10 GR-48Córdoba This tool has been designed by experienced hikers so other hikers may hikers other so hikers experienced by designed been has tool This route. the about knowledge accurate much a have will hikers and culty hiking trip. By doing so, hiking trips are classified according to their diffi- The MIDE system uses a scale designed to grade the difficulty of a specific choice. unify the findings hiking trails allowing each practitioner to make a better technical and physical characteristics of a trail. It is aimed to evaluate and MIDE is a communication system between hikers which inform about the WhatisMIDE? FOR APPRISING HIKERS METHOD MIDE. turn ajoyfulexperienceintopropermare. we walk somewhere else. Missing the way may put at risk our safety and when it on eye an keep always and path the on walking keep to mount • • Personalpetsshouldalwaysgobyoursideandsupervised. avoid cattleandwildanimalsenteringfenced-offareas. • on theecosystem.Apicturewillmakeaneverlastingsouvenirtho impact adverse an have will stones or animals plants, living Collecting • the in villages. people local and hikers among established often is relationship emphatic An hiking. and nature between up set is relationship sounded and logical a cities, the in established standards unwritten the like Just • ahead think to important about theamountofgarbageyoumayfinishyourwalkwith. is it walk, the for ready getting When perly. hiking. A responsible hiker will take out their garbage and dispose it pro- • A good practice is keep country gates and railings closed behind us to us behind closed railings and gates country keep is practice good A ua wse s fe a ao suc o evrnetl mat from impact environmental of source major a often is waste Human agru hkn crusacs nld lsn te a. t s para- is It way. the losing include circumstances hiking Dangerous ugh. therefore theMIDEmethodbeginstobeused. and public the to introduced is Handbook MIDE the 2003, In mountain. the in accidents prevent to order in Manual Procedures in put be to tion informa - expert for need the over pondered Montañismo) de Aragonesa Aragón -Protección Civil-, Obra Social y Cultural de Ibercaja y la Federación sponsors programme the of some started, project the after years Three Seguro’. Vivirlas Para ‘Montañas programme the of mework fra- the within 2002 in developed was It tool. recent relatively a is MIDE WhenMIDEwascreated? likely ofsufferinglessharm.(Information=safety). preventing for tool a accidents up in the mountains. The idea is also that well informed walkers are is MIDE the as information about all not is It motivation. and condition physical their to suits better that route the find 5- Thetrackisobstructed byunavoidableobstacles 3- Itrequirespreciseidentification ofgeographical 2- Pathsorsignpostingshowing theway 1- Welldefinedtracksandjunctions Orientation 5- Therearemanyfactorsofrisk 4- Thereareenoughfactorsofrisk 3- Thereareseveralfactorsofrisk 2- Thereismorethanonefactorofrisk 1- Theenvironmentholdslowrisk set to order in topics above down thedegreeofdifficultypossesonroute. the to given is 5) to (1 value numerical A Assessment informationisaboutratingthefollowingtopics: sessment applies. as- the which for conditions weather and route; entire the for distance horizontal route; whole the for drop cumulative negative and slope cumulati- ve positive both about by; passes track the where places about rated route. It gives information about where the track starts and finishes; a of aspects general on informing about is information Background tion. The MIDE contains WhatsortofinformationdoesMIDEprovide? • Strugglerequiredforaccomplishingtheroute. • Difficultyinwalkingalongthetrack(typeofpath,slopes,etc) orientation. • Guidanceontherouteaboutchoosingandkeepinggood • Severityofthenaturalenvironment –a river,areservoir, etc,whichmustbeskirted along. 4- Itrequireswalkingoutthetrack tracing featuresandofcompasspoints Environment background information and assessment informa- (Gobierno de (Gobierno 11 GR-48Córdoba 12 GR-48Córdoba environment. ves walking in a region which is a faithful reproduction of the natural themsel- find will Walkers nature, population. and heritage cultural comprises history, inescapably that space uninterrupted almost an be The GR-48 along the Sierra Morena Mountains in Córdoba appears to www.fam.es www.euromide.info More information: Sample ofaMIDErouterating: Hiking ratedaccordingtoMIDEcriteriaforsummerswithoutsnow. loaded hiker. slightly and average an for criteria MIDE to according made Calculations 5- Morethan10hourswalk 4- From6to10hourswalk 3- From3to6hourswalk 2- From1to3hourswalk 1- Upto1hourwalk 5- Theuseofhandsisrequiredtoprogress 4- Theuseofhandsandevenjumpingoverobstacles The trackrunsonirregularsurfaceandstaggeredpaths 3- 2- Thetrackrunsonbridlepaths 1- Thetrackrunsonsmoothsurface THE NATURAL WORLD Struggle is requiredtonegotiatethetrack Track features nally beenusedfortheparticularstyleofbuildinginregion. Montoro municipality the rocks are known In as age. Triassic the of sandstones red province: the geological in singular feature most the find will we trail, the of stage final the At batholiths. bo Valley becoming the main geological feature of the Pedroches granitic Guadalbar- the of areas surrounding the cover masses and rocks Granite from thePalaeozoicErasuchslatesandquartziterocksarepredom upwards andtowardtheSantaMaríadeTrassieradistrictwheredeposits again us take will route The deposit. metal important an containing beds to Almodóvar del Río, will run along the Guadalquivir River with younger rine fossils of the Miocene epoch. The following sections of the route, up ma- on rich remnants calcareous on walk will we Mountains, nachuelos On the initial stages of the walk and just at the edges of the Sierra de Hor- of rocksinthearea. type the are Era Palaeozoic the from they all batholiths granite and tzite, and occasionally drops down to the River Vega. Slates, greywacke, quar- mountains the along skirts route the Córdoba, of province the Through Geology del Ríosurrounding areaswheretheyshareland withOrangegroves. Almodóvar in even found be can Palmettos ground. Mediterranean mo- ther- the to thanks present very are Palmettos region western most the In Iris flower examples ofMediterraneanscrub. others many and Trees Olive Wild bushes, Thyme Mastic Rockroses, of vegetation shaped by Holm-Oak groves and Mediterranean undergrowth lush of scope large a comprise woods Mediterranean omnipresent The Flora.Theplantsworld ‘piedra molinaza’. They have traditio- inant. 13 GR-48Córdoba 14 GR-48Córdoba they arequiterare species. graslinii of some endangered species such as entomologists in the last twenty five years. Research shows the importance communitiesRiver.Thoseexhaustivelybeenhave researchedvarious by river bankssuchastheBejarano Brook,theYeguasRiverandtheGuadiato ICommunities of (damselflies and dragonflies) are quite remarkable at some Common frog Tela dearaña Iberian MidwifeToad,theWaterFrogandSpadefootToad. the Iberian Painted Frog, the Bosca´s Newt, the Southern Marbled Newt, the whichcan be found only in the Iberian Peninsula. Among others, they are GR-48 route through Córdoba province. This area is home to some species and reptiles the along amphibian all of and range large amateurherpetologists a find will amphibians of biology the studying to devoted Those Fauna.Theanimalworld Guadalbarbo River. the of areas surrounding the at groves Tree Olive mount and shrub nean Mediterra- the with alternates which Ilex of dehesas ancient most the of area is district Muriano Cerro of north the to region River Guadiato The Trees. chestnut and alder of forests gallery fresh ever the irrigate Brook jarano Be- the and Popea de Baños the as such courses water permanent There, mountains. the in banks river the along vegetation dense also is There very commonactivity. a is rearing livestock where Oaks, Cork and Holm-Oaks of pastures large with occurs wood Mediterranean the Córdoba, of sierra the enter we As which can be found in this area even area this in found be can which curtisii Oxygastra the and the Macromia splendens, the Gomphus Finally, Hoopoes, Azure-Winged magpies, Greenfinches and Little owls Little Greenfinches and Azure-Wingedmagpies,Hoopoes,Finally, for scarceseasonalbirdssuchas theshyWryneckandBlackStork. the Mallard, The Common Moorhen, the Snipe and the Cirl Buntingarealso perfect or evenhabitats They Wagtail. forother Grey birds the like and theGrey Bee-Eater Heron, European theLittle the egret, Oriole, the Kingfisher, River beds and river banks are home to colourful birds such as the Common White-Rumped SwiftandtheBlackWheatearflyingoverthose areas. shiest the watch we if lucky be will We mountains. the of crests sharpest the on and ravinesrocky in watched be can whichspecies bird the of the Bunting, Rock Eurasian the someEagle-Owl,KestrelareBlack-Eared thethe and Wheatear Martin, Crag Eurasian the Thrush, Rock Blue The Larks. Thekla and Nightingales partridges, Red-legged Warblers, lodious alpine Warblers, Dartford Warblers, Sardinian warblers, Turtle Doves, Me- Large patches of Mediterranean undergrowth and scrub are home to Sub- which areperfectsitesforVultureswatchingallyeararound. Vultures breeding colonies are also located in specific areas of the region and the Black-Winged Kite which is very rare plain in thisfertile area. and Black crops andfields can be seen other commonGriffon birdfed species like the Buzzard, the Kestrel rain as such areas open In groves. Oak and cork groves Holm-Oak woods, Pine in common very are Eagles Booted and Eagles Short-Toed Goshawks, range. mountain Morena Sierra the of abruptMediterraneanmostthelocated Eagles inaremounts andwoods Big eagles such as Spanish Imperial Eagles, Bonelli’s Eagles and the Golden in book BirdingandNatureTrailsinSierraMorenaCordobesa. included those watching, wildlife for designed especially routes other some match partially GR-48 the of sections some Moreover, birdwatching. and conservation exclusivelyarewhich toaimed sites natural pas- some track through ses the fact, In route. this along species animal spotted easily most the be will birds Nevertheless, located inAdamuzmunicipality. Valley Guadalmellato the in released been havespecimens Lynx Iberian of tural Park. Recently, a controlled number Na- Montoro y Cardeña de Sierra the in tes si- natural remote some in freely moves world, IberianLynx, one ofthe jewels ofthe Iberian wild animal through most areas in the Sierra Morena mountain range. The We may spot some Deer as they are very abundant and extent ifwe see any Fox, any Egyptian Mongoose or even the Otters. the area yet they are very difficult to spot. We will be very lucky carnivorousin relativelymammalsoflivequitenumber large A Griffon Vulture the 15 GR-48Córdoba 16 GR-48Córdoba illustration ofthe areaculturalandhistoricalheritage. important an been traditionally has source for human development. area The Cerro Muriano Mining the Sites are a on clear subsoil the addition, In a pastclearlybasedonhealing watersandhealthcostume. from legacy magnificent the are spas and fountains water sour Villaharta’s of thosetraditionalbuildings. Palmilla Oil Mill and San Camilo de Lelis (17th century) are good examples of remains the theformer keep system for pressing still the olives those and the counterweight of tower. Some La highlands. Montoro the on mills oil the are importance ethnological significant Of town. Montoro in River Guadalquivir the over mills water the and town Adamuz in Gollizno del by the Bejarano Brook and off to Santa María de Trasierra village; the Molino das environs. Other significant water mills in the area are: the Martinete Mill among the many water mills found respectively in Hornachuelos and Posa- out stand one Rey del Molino the and Mill Water Cambuco The trail. the of Bothwater andolive oilmills will bevery much present inmany sections and Almódovar Obejo castles. the and Watchtower Cabrilla the are heritage historical dingswill be common hallmarks on the region. Excellent examples of this buil- military medieval of sort all and watchtowers castles, Bastions, doms. king- Muslim and Christian the between border the be to used time other which area an through runs track the that mind in keep to need also We Roman pavedpathsasinthesurroundingsofMontorotown. ancient on walking themselves find may walkers even and footpaths the of most of borders physical the are walls stone Dry environment. natural the withinteracted have beings human extent what to clear is it tracks, As most stages of the GR-48 track uses of ancient paths and traditional cattle the Humanfootprint fields andvegetablegardens. crop through and groves Olive through passing when us with be will Pebble pavingonatraditionalpath Hornachuelos TOWNS ANDVILLAGES Population:4.684(2009) Altitude:185m Ash Trees and Alders by the river- the Willows, by Alders and Trees Ash and Cork Holm-Oaks with Oaks, covered Mountains Morena Sierra the of landscapes breathtaking most the of Reser- one voir, River Bembézar the of ce sour- the facing is gullies, two of ral balcony, perched on the slopes natu- This hill. one of atop stands Hornachuelos Andalusía- in cities unique most the of -three Sevilla and Écija Córdoba, from hand At town. the after named Na- Park, tural Hornachuelos de Sierra the of section important an district stretches municipal huge the province and the of region western district. The town is situated in the the capital Córdoba surpasses this only province, the of municipality Hornachuelos is the second largest qae n te l Wl, l they all Wall, Old the and square Armas ga- the Castle, the around ther houses resembled Moorish Whitewash Portuguese. the from hilltop defend to built bridges and castles or abbeys churches, like fortress around up grew town the when time the about talks architectonic heritage rich Hornachuelos incoming. of source important an becoming is activities outdoor and tourism flourishing industry related to rural been the main activities although a traditionally have beekeeping and and pig livestock, hunting industry Cow economy. the for base the region is this in nature human and beings between centuries from established relationship The side. 17 GR-48Córdoba 18 GR-48Córdoba Population:7.558(2009) Altitude:88m Posadas www.hornachuelosrural.com Source: los Ángelesfestivity. celebrate joyfully they 2nd municipality. August on Then, the of patron saint 11th is the festivity of San Abundio, July On time. summer the in occur to come events popular most The Bembézar Reservoir. the from spotted perfectly is River Bembézar the overlooking hillside steep the on position dramatic Its seclusion. spiritual religious communities for centre famous a be to used convent abandoned today This Ángeles. los de María Santa de the to walk a worthy is It centuries. 9th and 8th the from the capital of the province. Posadas’s centre is about 30 Km. from Córdoba administration of the region. The city Mountains. Posadas is the base of dobathe province and off SierraCór- in MorenaRiver Guadalquivir del Vega heart of the plain region known as ‘malena’TheLa locatedtownisthe at usr Sñr Ria de Reina Señora Nuestra

Monasterio the Biosphere Reserve of asnetwork World ‘Dehesasthe to decorporated in- is which, Park Natural nachuelos Hor- de Sierra the joins municipality (flat stretch farm-land).of and The whole fields) irrigated (plain mountains), (low sierra of ture mix- a is landscape district municipal 957 641140 San CalixtoRoadkm1,600 del Rey. Huerta La Centre Visitors’ Park Nature Hornachuelos de Sierra 957429030 /957276771 timetables: queries destinations aboutAny and • ByBus.AutobusesSanSebastián How togetthere 957641111 Medical centre 957640065 Guardia Civil(NationalGuard) 957641033 /609602185 Local Police 957640786 Antonio Machado,6 Tourist Office 957641051 /957641052 Plaza delaConstitución,1 City Council campiña vega

Palace (16thand17thcenturies). tury) and the Marqueses de Villaseca cen- (4th Neighbourhood Morería La FloreslasdeChurch (16th century), visitworthySantatoapayMaría to heritageral thismunicipality.of is It natu- the to added heritage cultural walk in the city reveals an interesting SierrezuelaLaned Park.However, a dolmen located in the above mentio - a is district the of featuresingular most strategic village location. The traditionof hospitality born from the long a after is namePosadas (Inns) Iberian pigsbreedingandraising. tedlands onthe municipality and the ned by both the goodness of the irriga- sustai - mainly is economy Posadas’s km. awayfromthedistrict. ‘aldea’ (small village), located 3 just the area. Rivero de Posadas is its only natural historicgreat wealth of and the from benefit peopleoutdoors rrezuela’,verya popular park where town and in the buffer zone is ‘La Sie- Sierra Morena’. Moreover, nearby the e hue ta sae ti town. this shapes that houses hed whitewas - of track a over watches The breathtaking omnipresent castle Population:7.839(2009) Altitude:121m AlmodóvardelRío 600018094 /666278052 • TaxiCañero 689058165 /957631620 • ManuelLuján • TaxiServices: 902240202 /www.renfe.es timetables: and destinations about • metables: 957429030 /957276771 ti- and destinations about queries Any • ByBus,AutobusesSanSebastián How togetthere 957630936 Medical centre 957630062 Guardia Civil(NationalGuard) 957630440 /605841477 Local Police 9576303 78 Plaza delosPósitos,3 Tourist Office 957630013 Plaza delAyuntamiento,1 City Council Source: www.Posadas.es del Río has an impressive natural he- Almódovar Córdoba, province the Only 22 km away from the capital of y ri, EF. n queries Any RENFE. train, By 19 GR-48Córdoba 20 GR-48Córdoba ot neetn acietnc unit architectonic interesting most zingAlmodóvar Castle which isthe Atop of the La Floresta hill is the ama- and mountains. used to benefit from the nearby hills past generations and the way people costumethedingof lifestyleand of understan- deeply a get may visitors the where Museum Ethnologic the modóvar del Río. Here we can stop at sites, these of one is Almodóvar from throw stone’s a Within town. the away far no places distinct some from start can which nicipalityinviteinterestingto walks mu- this of landscape amazing The wildlife. of array large fairly a for home vide pro- undergrowth rich a and Oaks terraneanwoodsCorkof andHolm Medi- the and Alders and Trees Ash Willows, with Brook Guadalora the alongside one the as such woods hingnatural value of some riverside astonis- The Reserve. Biosphere the corporatedtothe in- World network is of which area Morena Sierra de Dehesas the of section important an are they Moreover, Park. Nature los Hornachue- de Sierra the of part gral inte- an are they as preserved well are district municipal this of tains moun- low and hills the in inhered values ecological exceptional The on thehillsofSierraMorena. up woods exuberant and wealthy the and Guadalquivir River the by fertile fields plainandirrigatedrich the bothnicipality stretches across mu- The location. its to thanks ritage Los Llanos de Al- de Llanos Los www.museoetnologico.com 957635487 /649452580 Los Llanos,km.20,5 Ethnologic Museum 657715152 • TaxiFelipe 957713544 /636145039 • TaxiSacatacos 677411400 • TaxiRafaelCastilla • TaxiServices: 957 276771 destinations and timetables:957429030 about queries Any • ByBus,AutobusesSanSebastián How togetthere 957719576 /957719577 Medical centre 957635027 Guardia Civil(NationalGuard) 957713701 /610751161 Local Police 957635014 ABC, 7 Tourist Office 957713602 /957713604 Plaza delaConstitución,4 City Council Source: www.Almodóvardelrio.com the SierraMorenacloserhills. as well as vega surrounding its and plete view of the Guadalquivir River com- most a offering balcony tional from really far way and it is an excep- features. The castle itself can be seen cipality as it has great architectonical muni- the in spot missed be to not a landmarktowntown.Theisthis in er ltr h fmu wie Luis writer famous the later years and, too here lived Colon Diego son their and Arana de Enriquez Beatríz lover, His walked streets. these and on village this in lived versal Christopher Columbus once uni- The people. illustrious for some residence the was Trassierra de María Santa fact, In nobility. by owned century 15th the from ties proper- some are there village the In neighbourhood. Córdoba in a fact is village small medieval This SANTAMARÍADETRASSIERRA the province. The municipality de- municipality The province. the of capital the from far Km 16 just Córdoba of Mountains Morena rra district are fully integrate in the Sie- municipal its and town small This Population:2.500(2008) Altitude:693m CerroMuriano the capitalCathedral. from here to up brought probably ce from the 16th century that it was altarpie- the of majesty the and res featu- architectonical its admire to llage. It is worthy to stop and visit it vi- the in church style Gothic and Mudejar style) Islamic partly Gothic, (partly the to mention Special of the naturalsurroundings. beauty the describing poems of bunch a behind leaving church parish his here in set Gongora de connected to copper mining works. works. mining copper to connected Cerro Muriano has traditionally been tricts: CórdobaandObejo. dis- municipal other two on pends 21 GR-48Córdoba 22 GR-48Córdoba n srone b batfl Medi - beautiful by surrounded and Morena Sierra in perched town king Villaharta is a charming easy for wal- Córdoba. capital the from north Km 38 located is municipality small This Population:743(2009) Altitude:579m Villaharta ficant elements of its heritage are the signi- other Two industry. important when mine workings became time the a to visitorsmost to takeswhich balcony natural marvellous a is hills municipalitythe of oneLocated on close toanurbanarea. to an area rich in vegetation which is applies lung) (green verde’ ‘pulmón term The city. capital Córdoba for ‘pulmónverde’denseawoods are afforestedTreesPinewoods. by Those surrounded is Muriano Cerro eco- services.uponmainlybasednomy flourishing a about brought which, town small this to off depot military a up set Defence of Ministry Spanish the when over turned tion situa- social This out. moved sively mas- people Muriano Cerro end, an to came activity mining the when century, 20th the In hills. rrounding su- the in mines many the manage rried out by old Romans ca- that used firstly to were extractions Copper popular forshort breakdestinations. verymainreasonstheareis it why relativeclosenesscapitalthecity to ves.beautyThetowntheitsandof gro- olive and woods terranean can 957 421 585 / www.linesur.com 957 421585/www.linesur.com timetables: queries destinations aboutAny and • Linesur city). 957 764 676 / www.aucorsa.es • How togetthere 957354007 Medical centre(CerroMuriano) 957251100 Guardia Civil(NationalGuard) 957455300 Local Police(Córdoba) 957369042/ 9573691 Iglesia, 16 Obejo CityCouncil Source: www.obejo.es of extractingthismineral. historythetraditionalthe and ways through insight deep a visitors the to gives Museum Copper Muriano sitecalwhichvisited.be CerroThe archaeologi- an Coja la de Cerro the SieteminesiteLasCuevasOldand y u, uos (rm Córdoba (from Aucorsa Bus, By Muriano and La estación de Obejo de Cerro estación La and Muriano itself, Obejo in out population shares Obejo province. the of capital the from away Km 47 is It Córdoba. of Mountains Sierra Morena the in mountains low hills and of set a Santos los de Sierra the in located town tiny a is Obejo Population:1.872(2009) Altitude:707m thermal resorts in the municipality. most popular among the many spas and the were Thermals Elisa ta a source for health improving. San- be to said are springs and streams healing properties, Villaharta water known well with and minerals in Rich Villaharta. in element nificant sig- most the water woods. is it However, undergrowth and Oaks Holm stunning through run trials and paths of network A nicipality. best very ways to discover this beautiful mu- the of one is Walking from thewarmerCórdoba. very much welcome microclimate by the people fresher and a produces down temperatures brings This woods. allow thick of growing municipality the the on flow that streams many lo- the and high cation Villaharta weather. the is place this of feature singular A Obejo 957421585 /www.linesur.com By Bus,Linesur How togetthere Avenida Andalucía,2.957367285 Library 957365542 /670947560 Medical centre 957635027 (Peñarroya –Pueblonuevo) Guardia Civil(NationalGuard) 957367135 /957367061 Virgen delaPiedad,1 City Council Source: www.villaharta.es the streetspavement. on pictures colourful created to dust saw- coloured and petals with vered co- are town the of streets the when Day Christy Corpus the on town small this to visit a pay toWorthy s ate reig vnyrs and vineyards breeding, cattle as such activities countryside to and gold and silver lead, copper, of try traditionally indus - mining the to related has been economy The by Obejotown. near- village tiny a Station) (Obejo 23 GR-48Córdoba 24 GR-48Córdoba e srnl sik o h gon to ground the strongly to stick ves gro - Olive where landscape sloping sharply a with regionhill-country severe a is This region.dalquivir Gua- city, Alto the in located capital is Adamuz the from Northeast Population:4.419(2009) Altitude:240m Adamuz to interesting especially is it ver, worthy any time of the year. Howe- in1982. A visit to this small town is Monument Historical Artistic tional church (13th century), declared Na- cipality is San Antonio Abad Parish muni- the of building religious ve attracti - most The town. small this tress, known as La Fortaleza crown for- Arab former the of remains the ends up at the top of the hill where that houses whitewash with lined town sTreets the narrow of maze A sTreets. around walking clear just are origins Moorish Obejo lower end. the at groves Olive to stream up Tamujos and Oleanders of woods riverside from turned landscape The course. River Guadalbarbo the along landscape the in element jor tage of this municipality has its ma- heri - natural The though. industry oil olive the is incoming of source main making the Today, beekeeping. and charcoal groves, Olive 957421585 |www.linesur.com destinations and timetables: about queries Any By Bus,Linesur How togetthere 957369016 Medical Centre 957369042 Iglesia, 16 Obejo CityCouncil Source: www.obejo.es are lockedaroundhisneck. swords the which in master dance the of execution mock a with hes per- finis- that faint) (the patatú’ ‘el form dancers the when moment pick its has dance The master. ce and swords dance around the dan- men wearing a traditional costume two Thirty unique. quite is dance Espadas dance they when dates three the of any on here get mrvd n h 1t century. The 16th the improved in and restored then and century 13th the Andrés Church from San the is ments its most significant value.ele- two Onein has heritage cultural The produce a most high quality olive oil. Te wrs ac) This Dance). Swords (The a az d las de Danza La ua tw i lctd 0 m east Km 40 located is town sin- gular This River. Guadalquivir the about talk is Montoro about Talk Population:9.917(2009) Altitude:195m per- a as well as wildlife protected of rests in this area are home for a range fo- mountain and woods terranean Medi- untouched almost The Estate. Country hectares public 2,500 a is there is the Montes Then woods.Comunales Mediterranean thickwhich and groves Olive country into off walkers will find themselves trekking to the Guadalmellato Reservoir. get to track SoonNavaluenga the at starts follow to routes many the of One andbeautyAdamuz of countryside. diversity the appreciate best to used many footpaths and trials that can be nicipaldistrict. addition,In thereare mu- the through flowing both River, Guadalmellato the and RiverVaras the for supply water main the are that streams sloping of network a by surrounded is town The special. it makes municipality what this of heritage natural the is itHowever, finished in1953. as it was partly built in 1556 and then Tower).This feature isquite peculiar Clock (The ele- Reloj del Torre La is ment architectonical relevant other MONTORO nez: 957166354/610729926 • about destinationsandtimetables: • How togetthere 957199621 Medical Centre 957106001 Guardia Civil(NationalGuard) 637513290 Local Police 957166496 Tourist Office Fuente, 1.957166002 Obejo CityCouncil Source: www.adamuz.es hikers, ramblersandwalkers. for refuges and accommodations rural into turned recentlyresource natural caves, another special natural Finally,special mention tothe many area. the in activity important quite a howling. Therefore, game hunting is fectscenario forexperiencing game h muti rne t h north the at range mountain the features: geographical important two between and Córdoba from ai Facso udao Jimé- Cuadrado Francisco Taxi: y u, ieu. n queries Any Linesur. Bus, By 25 GR-48Córdoba 26 GR-48Córdoba atlm Prs Cuc (15th Bridge; Guadalquivir the Church century); Parish San century). Bartolomé (16th Church Parish tián Carmen Sebas- San century), (18th del Church Señora tra Nues- on elements relevant most its has heritage cultural Montoro attractiveness. exclusive town’s the confer to ther toge- gather buildings stone tone) sands- (red ‘molinaza’ and houses whitewash where sloping sTreets sharply narrow of grid a is toro Mon- 1969, in Site Artistic and ric Histo- Declared beauty. its particular to due visit to worthy is itself the natural surroundings, the town to addition In River. Guadalquivir the of banks the on hill, small a on located picturesquely is Montoro and adventuretravelagencies. restaurants hotels, commodations, ac- rural some with municipality flouris- hing tourism industry set out in the increasing an seen have years recent However, economy. the of base the is production oil ve oli- quality Top fields. growing the of 80% to up stretch groves Olive town. the after named partly is that Park Natural Montoro y Cardeña de rra Sie- the of limits the inside pletely com- is district municipal Montoro south. the at plain fertile the and 957160593 Mota, s/n la de Castillo del María Santa Plaza Archaeology Museum www.autocaresramirez.es 957422177 • ByBus,AutocaresRamírez How togetthere 957160037 Guardia Civil(NationalGuard) 957161321 Local Police 957199738 Medical centre 957160089 Tourist Office 957160425 Iglesia, 16 City Council Source: www.montoro.es Luna Museum. Rodríguez Antonio Pintor the and municipality the in settled torically from the many different groups his - pieces exhibited are where seum Mu- Archaeology the the are visitors for places interesting Other many buildings. of facades the honouring arms of coats many the and castles Julia and Mota La of remains the GR-48 PROVINCE OF CÓRDOBA States. Moreover, this is an area with high level of rainfalls where we will will the we as value historical and where natural special of areas rainfalls to across come eventually of level high with area an is this Moreover, States. tockis managed in country states as the Villalobos lives- where and Trees theChestnut with Porrada spattered woods Mediterranean sheer Countryinto towardsSantaMaríaTrassierra. de Herewalkers willsubmerge themselves roughnesstheSierratheMorenatoback GR-48ofMountainsgetwill The with theAlmódovarCastlesurmounting abreathtakinghill. to an end in Almodóvar del Rio town whereness thefrom mainthe attractionpast watching is thewit- silent over Tower, Cabrilla bulwarkLa as watchtowers thewith dotted paths traditional of landscape. This stage of the route comesstrategic enclave. This is an area where many countryThe Cañada Real Soriana track takes us to Posadas through a stunning natural paths meet. A junction together toframeupthedivisionlinewhichistrack. mixed undergrowth Mediterranean and Trees Orange fields. land irrigated areas. Landscape is remarkable for the variety of scenery, a mixture of dry and NaturePark, asection of the park where the mountains meet the fertile offplainto Posadas town. This isthe southern area ofthe Sierra deHornachuelos The trial gets into the province of Córdoba by Hornachuelos town and heads de CardeñayMontoroNaturalPark. this GR connects both the Sierrastages, ten in dewalked Hornachuelosbe to Designed Mountains. Morena NaturalSierra the through Park and the Sierra and Córdoba of province the in kilometres 180 over covers route GR-48 The many especiallyattractivecountrytowns,villagesandsmallvillages. ver possible. The trail covers some of the most stunning natural sceneries and whene- roads, traffic avoid to designed is route GR A footpaths. long of type res to explore the inland. The ancient trade routes became the ground for this seasho- the from away moved beings human when time the from come GRs the of origins The Journey). (Long Recorrido’ ‘Gran for stand GR letters The GENERALDESCRIPTION 27 GR-48Córdoba 28 GR-48Córdoba meanings: ‘underground dome’, ‘tunnel’ three has which ‘fornix-icis’ word Mozarabic the from come orto said be to is It ‘hollow rock’. All those meanings There is a theory which tries to explain the origins of Hornachuelos toponym. Trees andPalmetto. growingfields and the rough Mediterranean woodlands of Ilex, Wild Olive skirtsalongside rollingthe that hills drawing dividingand a towns linebetween vegaPosadas the and Hornachuelos both links that path old an from nmostlimittheSierraof Hornachuelos de Natural Park.Thetrial follows on souther- the through province Córdoba inside get will we stage, first this On HORNACHUELOS-Posadas and thefamousthermalspa. province)avery popular town thanks to the healing properties of its waters theprovince to of Jaen. limits We geographical will the get toare the which end ofriverbanks the routeRiver Yeguas in Marmolejo the to us (Jaen take will environment impressive an by surrounded path historical This footpath. the follows time most route The Mills. old Oil some Olive remain still where farmlands links path The limits. Natural southern Montoro Park y Cardeña de Sierra the to off range mountain the of hills The last stage of the trial across Córdoba province will go through the rolling hill ononeofthemostwindingmeandersGuadalquivirRiver. us to Montoro. The outstanding monumental townvillage. is strategicallyFootpaths, dirt builtroads atopand even a a section of the a towards former down go will roman road take by pass we rranean woods. The landscape will eventually turn intoHeading fickleto Adamuz small rockytown, we will walk crestson the roughness as of the Medite- where theendangeredspeciesIberianLynxisrecentlybeingfreedin. reservoir the through walk to Valley River Guadalmellato the into down go will we highlands the From River). Berbers (the River Guadalbarbo the side along- Obejo feature natural main the in are groves Olive ecological finishes Rough highland. walk The municipality. the in spas and thermals healing andgeVillaharta small town. Thelater wellisknown becausevilla- Vacar El theofmanythrough passes that and woodlands Oak green ever of land a across goes which Soriana Real Cañada the of section a on walking village Muriano Cerro to get to north up head will we trial, the of stage 4th the On have amostimpressiveview. Park where we walk up to Torreárboles geodesic top. From here walkers will Periurbano Villares Los to us takes and woods Pine dense through follows old roman Popea Baths and the surroundings of the Bejarano Brook. The walk STAGE 1:

. As the walk progresses, the path path the progresses, walk the As Conventos. los de Francisco San leaving behind Algallarin small small Algallarin behind leaving vega Guadalquivir Cordel de las Vacas Bravas Vacas las de Cordel

from thelaterMiocene,atimewhenareawascoveredbysea. that can be spot along the walk. They are mainly PectenIn addition, benedictus wemollusks would like to recall of the marine fossils on the limestonemyards, andfarmhouses. rocks far- stone walls, stone dry River-, Guadalcarejo the over one the –as bridges roman mills, water of remains the with across come will We centuries. the workofstructures forlivestock rearing left behindnet - a is byhumanpath this beingson footprint The acrosscountry. the of areas south-western the to ones. The Cañada Real Soriana network stretches from the Spanish northwest winter the and grasslands summer the both to taken were animals the when from pasturelands to market. These paths were traditionally used twice a year and to livestock transport to historically used trails and paths of network a is ‘cañada’ A Soriana. Real Cañada the with points some at connects trial The massive hollowedlimestonerockwherethetownissettled. mineralsfor extracting. Thistheorymakes glimpsesensewiththejust ato ponymHornachuelos, is used to identify to- the to theclose quite huge ‘hornacho’, word hole Spanish madeThe pottery. inshaped amountain dome a to Mozarabs by given name the was which ‘fornax’ root same the also share Difficulty: MIDEevaluation Time: 3hours40minutes Distance: 14km under theAVE Finish: Posadastown.Abridge Start: Hornachuelostown

Altitude (m) the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment: 100 200 300 400 0 0 onculs-Posadas - Hornachuelos 2 1 5 Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: 10 Distance (Km) Distance Suitability:

3 2 29 GR-48Córdoba 30 GR-48Córdoba healthy patches of Cork Oaks groves to the splendid Guadalora River riverside some of and groves Oaks evergreen the of diverse biologically rich the From Horna- chuelosIn woods. surrounding Mediterranean the areas possibleisof magnitude walktothrough and differentbeauty the landscapes.show to designed been have Centre, Visitor’s the at off starting routes, different Some VisitorsCentre islocated inthepark andquite close the toaddition, HornachuelosIn district. municipal Córdoba of area small town.a and palities:Almodóvar munici- del following Río, the Hornachuelos, of areas some includes also Morena Posadas,park The Sierra range. Villaviciosathe mountain for Reserve deCórdoba Biosphere Unesco the of part is and hectares within the province of Córdoba boundaries. The park extends for over 60,000 The Sierra de Hornachuelos Natural Park is one of the three natural parks located southern Iberianwatersinwinter. it is the case of Cormorants. They as migratein, winter the pass to enclave natural this fromchoose that birds of Scandinaviannumber the countries significant especially tois theIt around. year all waters Bembézar the on watched addition,deer.Inred migrantaspark seasonalthe birdsand be birds can theriverbanks easyisspotto some the ofmost representative mammals of Manyaretheanimal species thatcome drinkto the riverof waters and,on flowsit there north-southfrom and the in heart territory the of Sierra Extremadura Hornachuelosde in locates Naturalspring Park. River Bembézar The The BembézarRiverDiversionDam ••• Km0.2.TheBembézarDiversionDam Diversion DamattheBembézarReservoir. suburbs. From here we will walk 200 metres down towards the Bembézar The walk starts at the 0 km on the CO-5314 road and at the Hornachuelos ROUTEDESCRIPTION Huerta del Rey del Huerta roman bridgeand ontheothersideremains oftheCambucoMill. old an of remains the are there bridge the of side one on and Downstream Next point of interest on our route is the bridge over Guadalvacarejo River. ••• town firmlyanchoredtothemassive limestonerockonwhichisstood. whitewash the Hornachuelos, of view beautiful most a enjoy to moment a side is the right Losits on Corralesand groves Orange Countrythrough goes State.road countryside This In towns. here we could turn around and have take will thewe There roadjunction. a to tous take thewill and rightslope soft a whichbecomes path The is the one that links Hornachuelos and Posadas as wellshortnessofbreath. includingdetoxifying the liver and help with jaundice, easing propertieskidney andstones reported benefits when treating (Venus’ a varietyVenus hair).de Thisof planthealthllo popularis hascertainitproblems,as therapeutic as known also Fern, Maidenhair Common the such grounds mestone li- on growing of likely plants and moss in covered mainly is and limit Park Natural the is This path. the of side right the on slope limestone the to look a have can we path, the on walk we As Path. Bembézar del Sendero the with connect to Dam Diversion Bembézar the us behind leave will we route, On which supportsoneofthebestEuropeanNettleTreepatchintheprovince. Watching wildlifeinHornachuelos Km 2.TheBridgeoverGuadalcarejo (orGuadalvacarejo)River Cabe- 31 GR-48Córdoba 32 GR-48Córdoba by thefarmhouse wewillconnecttothistrack. ‘cortijo’ is quite close to the the as yard livestock a be to used farmhouse the of side one on seen be can which wall stone dry rough limestone the of remains The Tree. Fig ancient impressive an and Trees Hackberry by surrounded is farmhouse sins side still can be seen the ramp used in the past as washing place. The ba- the of one On rock. limestone in carved basins two with well old an the to get will We ••• Km6.TheArbónFarmhouse the walker’ssensesup. Thyme scrubs grow from within the many cracks on the limy soil stirring will have the impression that we walk on a path pitted of bedrock. Showy the path winds through Wild Olive Trees, Carob Trees and Palmettos. We Then Trees. Palm its and farmhouses Watchtower Nublos the leave us behind we until path this on walking on carry will We left. the growing on the fields and hills the between line division the is track The route. to the left. This is Nublos Watchtower track and we walk on it most of the At this point we will leave the countryside road and we will take the path ••• Km3.75.AtalayadeNublosTrack Olive orangegrovesnearNublos Blackberry bushes.Insideitstillremaintwooriginalmillstones. and potholes. It is hard to spot the caves mill as of its entrance maze is covered intricate by rough an creating soil limy the carved also has stream The waters. river the by diluted being limestone of result the as ground caused the of cavities many the of one in built originally was mill The Farmlands after leaving on our right our on leaving after Farmlands Arbón del Cortijo Cañada Real Soriana trail. Shortly after passing Watch forfossils along thepath Arbón Well The landscape takes us back into time when under those impressive Tree may be tempted to have a rest in the shade of one of those We ancient Trees. Oaks. Holm old years hundreds and Trees olive wild of woodland hesa de los Rubios de Paterna’. Vegetation increases and becomes a lush De- ‘La such estates country important some to across come will we int, path whichskirtsalongthesierra. Athispo- walking onthe We carryon ••• Km8.2.LosRubiosdePaternaPrivateCountryEstate most significantactivityinthearea. which were very useful in the past when sheep livestock rearing was the walls stone dry and places watering sheep-fold, such hallmarks some of remains the spotted be can still them of path some in yet the restored been have alongside see will we that farmhouses the of Most increases. Trees Ilex of number the and municipality Posadas in get we walk we As path. the of width legal the off mark that walls stone dry the see can we ween the mountains and the vega fertile fields. On both sides of the path bet- limit natural a is path the of section This Sevilla. to way its on fields the from comes that path Soriana Real Cañada the on walk will We vega 33 GR-48Córdoba 34 GR-48Córdoba AVE (Spanish High Speed Train) railings. From the bridge we will take a take will we bridge the From railings. Train) Speed High (Spanish AVE the over bridge the to get to road countryside the across walk will We by smallvegetablegardens,fruit Treesandfamiliarcattledevelop beings activities. The landscape is now a maze of farmhouses surrounded of Olive groves. We have come to an area clearly transformed by human rows seen be can path the of sides both On colours. reddish brown into becomes a countryside road while the soil alongside the track transforms As the number of Pine Trees increases on the mountain skirt, the dirt track ••• Km10.2.Thetarmacpath the walkers’ mindacolourfulpalette,especiallyinthespringtime. to bring lands agricultural wavy the path the of right the To herds. goats and sheep for shelter provisional as used been traditionally have that quarries limestone some near pass will we progresses, walk the As Woodchat Shrike zuela ParkandPosadastownintheVegafertilefields. some smallholdings. Ahead we can see now the Pine groves of La Sierre- to leads it and section this in passable more becoming is path perch.The Shrikes and Kestrels as prey of birds where watchtower exceptional an as acts path the along runs that voltage low of line Buntings. electrical the fact, Corn In and Curlews Stone such dryness of cultures of proper species other for as well as Mongooses Boars, Egyptian Wild and Genets such Common habitats mountain from species for home is area the Hereby, crops. fed rain the and mountain the on: converge ecosystems This is an area of great biodiversity as it is where two well distinguishable of theground. fossils spattering the limestone rocks formation that appears at the surface marine prehistoric many the to glimpse a have may we addition, In heat. tops transhumant herds and men used to take shelter from the suffocating ments. Posadas’s gatewayandtheendofroute. walking on this path that takes us to a point under the AVE Bridge. This is zuela- Villaviciosa de Córdoba). Here, we will take to the right and carry on Sierre- –La (Posadas junction A-433 the to us takes road service AVE The ••• Km12.TheAVEserviceroad goes alongsidethetrainrailings. dirt road to the left. For about 1.5 kilometres we will walk on this path that Palmetto plant bridges crossing and landowner landowner ca- a of width The sing. traver- states and crossing bridges paths, using for raisers) (livestock ros’ ‘ganade- to charged were taxes and ‘cañadas’ the on placed were uses about regulations Royal protection. sed in law and came under the King’s institutionali- were they so and right sole royal paths those on conferred Wise the X Alfonso King the 1273 In reales’ goes back to the 13th century. ‘cañadas of history The warmer. are winters where Spain of south the valleys in and meadows as lowland pastures and Castilla in highlands were between livestock the move to paths used The life. transhumant rural one’s in feature distinguishing most a was ‘cañada’ The goats. and mustering livestock, especially sheep seasonal to used traditionally trails or ••• Cañada RealSoriana A ‘cañada’ is a network of paths paths of network a is ‘cañada’ A links theSistema Ibérico toAndalusia. paths that crisscross the Spanishria to soil. Sevilla. It It is theThe Cañada Real Soriana goes from So- longest of the nine trading reports. Roman old in recorded well from Betica (Guadalquivir valley) was quality wool from Turdetania of and carried out by commonly ancient was Iberians. migrations, In addition, the pastoral that transhumance, concludes research even seasonal Thoroughly mi- livestock centuries. sheep backgrations Spain go in of origins The half widthandthelateraquarter. and ‘cordales’ ‘veredas’. The former was a as paths other many the to necting the equivalent to today 75 metres. Con- is which each’ spans hand five forty of ñada real was set on exactly ‘six ropes they were real cañada cañada real 35 GR-48Córdoba 36 GR-48Córdoba Difficulty: MIDEevaluation doba toSevilla. king on one of the most ancient footpaths used historically to travel from Cór - the to down us take will route this Definitively the increasingBreñaIIreservoir. to look a have can we here From River. Guadalquivir the into mouth river the tion Area and the path over the Guadiato Old Bridge. The bridge is quite near the by shaped area remarkable the is with across featureprovincetheCórdoba.in of Another peculiarity willcomethatwe natural exceptional singular a as registered are they and Trees the on posed Cente- narios’,‘Acebuches centuries-through goes oldpath Wild Olive the Trees. where recognisedA interest importancebotanical of hasbeenarea Especialmention inhere totwo interesting features onthis stage. One isan for thelivestock. many features from a rustic past as coarse of remains the into bump dryagain will we Hereby, stonewhile. big a for track wallsthis on and resting places the to connects track the above, said we As which istheAlmodóvarCastleandhillwhereitstandingon. Watchtower. In addition, a most attractiveisthecase ofthefeature many Moorish watermillsis the andmagnificentwatchtowers, asLaCabrilla landmark acrosswith some interesting culturally distinct units workwithin of the trafficterritory. roadsThis and the AVE railway.This is an area mainly altered by human beings activities and with a thick net- Nevertheless, the walker may come Sierra Morena. twodifferent landscapes finallyto get back the to lush rough mountains of the to close and skirt Posadastown (Malenia in ancient Roman epoch) is located on the mountain Soriana trail. to parallel runs track the with connects eventually it yet railway AVE the to and roads the time Most Mountains. Córdoba de Sierra the and This stage is seen as a bridge between the Sierra de Hornachuelos Mountains STAGE2: Posadas-ALMODÓVAR DELRÍO Time: 2hoursand40minutes Distance: 8Km opposite tothefootballpitch. Finish: AlmodovardelRiotown, Starts: Posadastown the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment: . On this stage we will walk through through walk will we stage this On Vega. Guadalquivir 1 1 Cañada Real Soriana Real Cañada and we walk hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: while wal- while Vega Guadalquivir Cañada Real Soriana Real Cañada Suitability: Cañada Real Recrea- 1 1 ROUTEDESCRIPTION fossils onthelimestone rocks. marine prehistoric find may we where stream the to down walk can We remains oftheoriginaltowerstay on. is known as the Molino del Rey (the King’s Watermill) and today only the watermill This are. watermill old an of remains the where near Brook da At this point, the ••• Km1.3.CasadelosMolinos.MolinodelReyWatermill White Storks down totheGuadalbaidaBrook. path. We will go then across the railway and over the bridge that takes us works Ave the to parallel runs that path the on walking when east head (Posadas-La Sierrezuela Villaviciosa de Córdoba). For about 1 km, we will road A-433 the and road service AVE the between junction the at is This track. previous the finished it where point exactly the at starts walk Our

Altitude (m) 100 200 300 400 0 02468 Cañada Real Soriana path wades through the Guadalbai - oaa Almodóvar Posadas - Distance (Km) Distance

37 GR-48Córdoba 38 GR-48Córdoba A centuries-oldWildOliveTree sadero’ (restingplace)surroundedbycenturies-oldwildolivetree ‘descan- a into bump will we ahead steps few a just fact, In water. to and rest to here to up brought were herds sheep when times past in relevant This area, where many paths come to meet in, appears to have been quite network of supporting structures ‘vía pecuaria’ people could find a So, all along the lineal layout of a be foundalongthepath. can that ‘descansaderos’ many blic use”. This also applies to the pu- of “possessions as regulated legally are pecuarias’ ‘vías junctions. The tracks and located paths by are they and saderos’ ‘descan- called are areas resting Most in. night the spend where places and troughs, water tock, for both areas the shepherds and the resting lives- as such tures struc- supporting some required journeys transhumant long The paths are knownas‘víaspecuarias’. Those migrations. sonal regulated to make easier the sea- ving was put in place and legally mo- livestock for paths of work net- A south. the in pasturelands the to north the in highlands the ders used to walk the herds from ••• Descansaderos In past times, livestock bree- livestock times, past In or livestockwatering. lessen flooding temporal the for waiting while area the through of the seasonal stream that flows likely for resting by the riversides be could shepherds that believe also may We track. Soriana Real the join Mountains rena Mo- Sierra from tracks and paths just at the point where some dirt be located in a strategic location, where we are now. It appears to is the case of this ‘descansadero’ can be seen along the path. That the many of centuries-old their the shade Trees that in rest herds or flocks to used and shepherds breeders livestock Surely rustic shedsevenstonekilns. fountains, wells, troughs, water in stone be can hike Those country. the they as walkers the to revealed are areas cansaderos’ ‘des- of proper features some of remains the Today the motorways. along found be can today that areas service the to similar Cañada s. to ‘safeguardtheroadSevilla’.TodayitisdeclaredofCulturalInt built tower new a got Sánchez, Luís Doctor Córdoba, of magistrate chief second the 1406, and 1403 Between deteriorated. tower original the by, passed time the As here. in located be to used Atalayuela La as known tower another when 1267 to back are tower this of origins The left. the to hillock a on standing strikingly Watchtower We Cabrilla The by railway. pass will train actual the to parallel continues path works AVE The ••• Km3.8.LaCabrillaTower journey. the of rest the almost for track this on continue and path works AVE the up pick will We railway. AVE the and road countryside former a meets it junction a at and down drops path of section This route. en on carry We walkers toclearlyreadthepathdirection. for hallmark a is tower Moorish This Castle. the to way the on spotted be can Hill. Cabrilla la de Torre La Floresta as known watchtower small a La of remains The over sky the against appears Castle Almodóvar the of impressive views across the hills. To the east and the far away, the silhouette to look a have and A-431 road the over bridge the by stop can We ••• Km2.2.ABridgeovertheA-431road La CabrillaWatch-tower erest. 39 GR-48Córdoba 40 GR-48Córdoba This last section of the track appears to be less attractive. Nevertheless, attractive. less be to appears track the of section last This and thelimitof thePeñadelÁguilaCountryState. road A-432 the between footpath a follow to road countryside this leave will we 26, Km the to get we When use. in not today road C-431 former area and then get back to our original footpath. The path we follow is the Caballera Recreation Area. It is up to the La walker the to to spend some gets time that in footpath this a to connects over path bridge pedestrian This path road. the pedestrian a by pass will we the point, to a parallel At running road. A-431 up ends and ascends path the point this From Sculpture representingtranshumantcattle with somesheepandaram. Ortiz Art School in Córdoba. The stone made figures feature a sheep flock to traditional transhumance undertaken by the students from the Dionisio tribute a is work artistic This area. the spattering sculptures stone displayed some are where area resting a to get will we path the on walk we II Breña the As area. lower dam the see can we north entering the to Up area. buffer Reservoir be will we river, the over crossed have we After ••• Km6.BridgeoverGuadiatoRiver the where is which Cañada RealSorianapathcrossesovertheriver. River Guadiato the over bridge the to get will we after, short and river the of side this on walking on carry We us. behind shut should we that fence metal a pass will we Then River. Guadiato the meets path the where point a to get will we of Eventually, fields groves. other orange the on and railway the is it side one On while. big a for After having a glimpse to the tower, we will carry on walking on the path STAGE 3: journey comestoanend. Eventually, we will get off to the Almodóvar F.C football pitch where our monastic life. for resort residential a into transformed been has area this Today slopes. and massive rocks and Spheroidal weathering of granite spattered the hill outcrop granite a was hill the of top the ago years 30 About woods. fer coni- healthy by surrounded and hill a on standing state country Águila del Peña impressive the and Castle Almódovar the spot clearly can we now distance, the In Broom. Yellow and Sage Jerusalem Palmetto, shrub species such especially vegetation, interesting some find can still we na, grazingaroundincolourfulandbucoliclandscapes. of different Spanish breed of beef cattle –Retinta, Avileña and Parda-Alpi- scatterings find may we where lands pasture and meadows walk huge across will We rearing. cattle for areas many the attention our get will It walk wheredifferentlandscapesfollowoneanother. located in the heart of Sierra Morena Mountains. This will Córdoba be an of ascendant neighbourhood a village, Trassierra de María Santa to vega On this stage the track will take us from the plain fertile fields down in the SANTAMARÍADETRASSIERRA ALMODÓVARDELRÍO- Cork oaktree 41 GR-48Córdoba 42 GR-48Córdoba Difficulty: MIDEevaluation up fortheroughnessanddifficultiesofthisupwardwalking. des that the walker will come across with in such environment will make sha- many The Mountains. Morena Sierra of foothills the and fields vega the between transition the and link the both as acts path this Certainly, laeozoic era. Pa- the from quartzite and slate of slabs darker into turn will skirts tains moun- the on lands limy The woods. Oak Cork ancient by replaced be will Oaks Holm of meadows and unedo) (Arbutus Trees Strawberry and Durum such shrubs evergreen to pass give will Trees carob and a mettos between transition the Pal- humid. is much is which one another and area Mediterranean track warmer the of cross-section ascending The turns andcrossesthatwepassedby. the to alert be to need we Nevertheless, sides. both on walls stone dry by defined well is it and State Country public a through winds path The area. the in transhumance livestock for paths traditional the of one path, Porrada’ la de ‘Vereda the with together happens route the of part Most Time: 6hoursand30minutes Distance: 22Km Finish: SantaMaríadeTrassierra Start: AlmodóvardelRío

the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment: Altitude (m) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 0 0 loóa Santa María de Trasierra Almodóvar- 5 1 1 10 hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: 15 Suitability: Distance (km) Distance 20 3 1

Alisne hill. this follow the toward up will winds that circuit motocross We the behind leaving road Alisne. dirt to road CP-159 former the is road dirt The ches theCaminodelosTorospath. Soriana the to connects that path Porrada la de Vereda the become the on goes route the of Most Floresta the on hill. standing castle medieval the is feature attractive most town The town. this of origins the find to Epoch Roman Ancient the to We will start this route in Almodóvar del Rio town. We need to look back ROUTEDESCRIPTION Homenaje Tower and the other the and Tower Homenaje the is one towers, big two the are eyes the to gets it thing First Córdoba. of city the defending when role gic position played an important strate- This city. the to up sail to vigable and riverside boats used na- be to used river the time that At River. Guadalquivir the along the called ting atop a large hill (200 m high) sit- is It Age. Medieval the in ce importan- great a has castle This Almodóvar one. the to on therefore and territory Andalusia the in castle every to on nition recog- special sed po- Andalusia Government the 1993, In pañol). Es- Histórico nio Patrimo- el sobre 16/1985 Ley the and 1949 de de abril 22 de del Decreto Genérica ración Heritage Historic National Spanish on Act the ••• Almodóvar Castle hs ate s rtce by protected is castle This track. At some point of the walk, the walk, the of point some At track. er d l Floresta la de Cerro (Decla- footpath which will later will which footpath Chifle del Vereda castle to Don Francisco de Corral y the sold IV Felipe king the 1629, the to on it latrava the to belong will it became the Royal Residence. Later castle the II Enrique and I Pedro of reigns the During Christians. the III to on passed was castle the reign, Fernando under and 1240 In the castledoors. nearby defeated after soon were the rebellion in this castle yet they started Yemeni, the tribes, lamic is the Escuela Tower. The set is fi- is set The Tower. Escuela the is oa Hsoy el u ta te Is- the that us tells History doba. ofCór- Emir Umayyad first the I, nished off by a crenellated structu- piig gis Abderramán against uprising which, years later will pass will later years which, path mat - path Chifle del Vereda re with pyramidal forms. Yemeni rebellious . In Santiago. de Orden Dens and loopholes and Dens at oe uig the during role tant itiue b the by distributed lyd n impor- an played epoch, the castle the epoch, com- building n h Caliphal the In the off plete ments. ele- defensive Orden de Ca- de Orden Cañada Real Cañada 43 GR-48Córdoba 44 GR-48Córdoba Tree Germanderflowers(Teucriumfruticans) turn spring in that brushwood allochthonous and Trees, Olive Wild Oaks, of made belt green A metres. loose those occupying is it and path the on even 6metreswidththough.Wewillfindthatlushvegetationgrowswild legally measured, the path width is 21 metres (45 sticks). The dirt path is not The track physical limits are dry stone walls on both sides. As this is a track located. walkingthroughsoftpeneplaina whereAlisnethe AltoCountry Estate is ourselves find will we track, this of slope steep first theascending After ••• Km3.5.AlisneAltocountryestate The Breña II Dam catches our eye towards the Guadiato River slope on our made boundsgives thewalkerapleasantsense ofprotection. shrubbyandTreeGermander’s bloomout.Walking between these stone into a much colourful landscape when Steppe Rockroses, White Rockroses be visitedbytourists. few castles in Andalusia the that can of to one is open it Today been tourism. has castle the onwards, time that From Civil War. Spanish the to up lasted that works restoring some ned commissio- castle, the of owner time that at Torralba, the of Count century, 20th early the In owned bythisnoblefamily. been has it then Since Guzman. the sierralandscapes. and vega the campiña, the ween a perfect viewofthetransitionbet- for visitors to chance the ves gi- it as interpretation landscape to up open balcony exceptional an itself is castle The interest. ral cultu- the than other is building defensive this of importance The is aperfectsiteforlittlebirdswatching. vine shoots make up an ideal refuge for the birds too. No doubt about this many thorny Bramble The food. the for source their fruits autumnal the and insects on find that birds little to home also is which patch thick Bramble a by surrounded is watercourse the stream, seasonal this of flow scanty the Despite bridge. small a over brook this across wade will We ••• Km4.3.DelSapoBrook location forthosebirdsnesting. perfect a be to turned which groves Tree Orange and Trees Olive ween bet- walk we as increases Greenfinches and Goldfinches of singing The barrier tothecultivatedlands. natural a as functioning are somehow which, Cactus Pear en- Prickly counter will we path the of sections some in then, and now Every reservoir. leftside. From there many footpaths and dirt roads branch off towards the where common rush plants evidence the nearby groundwater level. With With level. groundwater nearby the evidence plants rush common where streambed the towards descend will we here, From one. Calderones’ los de our left side and, looking down to theTo Guadiatothe north,valley, thethe ‘Las‘Casas Malezasde las delMinas Gato’ Country Estate can be distinguishedend oftheroute. on to the walkers. Certainly, we will spot no more Orange Tree groves to the visible less become will groves Tree Orange especially and groves Tree Olive onwards, point this From transition. landscape the remarkable is It shrub orGorse low and bushes with country open dry of bird a Warbler Subalpine The The SubalpineWarblerabirdofdryopencountrywithbushesandlowshruborGorse 45 GR-48Córdoba 46 GR-48Córdoba will seethelast specimens ofPalmettosasthearea istheplantscopelimit. minant such Rockroses, Jerusalem Sage and French Lavender. Certainly,the Baldío Brook, we some characteristic Mediterranean undergrowth are predo- many are over bridge the approach we As too. vegetation the to There regard with changes track). (Bulls Toros’ los de ‘Camino name: path the refore The- agriculture. than rather breeding cattle for mainly are These estates changed. country have land the of uses the how of aware be may Walkers lly, theformerwillgainterrain to andfinallywilldisplacethelater. Gradua- Trees. Olive Wild of number larger much a with intersperse Oaks Holm of specimens some where pastures through goes track the here, In a advance can we yet feature significant most the easy to distinguish slight changesis in theitwalking, landscape.on carryStill thewe pastureas land Estate and is track the Country of sectionthis Cobatillas’ On gate. main ‘Las the enter to road this on take eventually will We road. countryside CP-242 the to point this at connects track The ••• Km5.73.LasCobatillascountryestate Wild naturalautumnberriesontheCommonHawthorn Cormorán. to return latertomakeuseoffoodportions. ‘pantry’ a as serves and fragments into up broken be will meat the Later their bodies on thorny stems as the White Hawthorncapable or forthe Iberianhunting Pearsmall ones. birds or mammals‘Butcher of its Bird’. own Despite size beingand notthen bigger impaling than a Common(grasshopper, Sparrow, a Shrike small is rodents, snakes, smallsides lizards…).of the path and a nearby Shrikeslush meadow are both whereon freightage alsogreat catch of Hawthorn itsknownWhite of favourite specimens Shrike two as posts, preys suita- ble residencefortheshrikesinceareacomprisesimprovisedlook-out most the is path the of section this about, doubt No us. around posts little luck, the always alert Shrike can be spotted on the wires and telegraphic ahead.dehesa’ ‘different vertheless, still they are some humble Olive groves of a very low pro- duction which much appear to be the ideal companion low for the cattle. We very a of groves Olive humble some are they still Ne- vertheless, sierra. the scenario: different a through walking start will we Now ground, thePalmettos,Orange grovesandthelowlandsfertilefiel limy the now are us behind Far slates. of layers darker to rocks mestone li- from changed progressively has side our on wall stone dry the how notice may walkers point, this At Estate. Country Porrada the enter We ••• Km11.57.EnteringthePorradacountryestate why understand to sites likethiswherechosenforhumansettlementsinancient times. and humanity of ages earlier the about fantasize to been found in here. Glancing at this large fertile meadow make the walker the nearbyknownaspasture isareaAleft. Theshylyour comes sightintoto walk. The cattle, very much used to human beings around, look over the hikers’ walkingcountrysidebethegeron openontoroadpasturethebut lands. lon- not will We farmhouses. Villalobillos the beneath passing downhill 500 metres after crossing the main gate, we will swing left and slightly go track. the to attentionpay to need we point, this At walkers. to direction right the marks paths the of side left the on wall stone dry The lands. pastu- res huge to walker the leads State Country Villalobillos to entry The ••• Km9.4.AccesstoVillalobilloscountryestate Cattle nearbyVillalobillosCountryEstate since numerous Iberian figurines or ‘idols’ have ‘idols’ or figurines Iberian numerous since Ídolos los de Huerta ds. 47 GR-48Córdoba 48 GR-48Córdoba om and Jerusalem Sage. Also the sense of hearing amplifies and we are we and amplifies hearing of sense the Also Sage. Jerusalem and om risk to the edges that of the path Oaks give shelter Holm to sunlight The bushes as coverage. Yellow Bro- gains vegetation up, climbs path the As shows betweentheOaks. the vega remains the silhouette of the Almodóvar Castle atop the hill that in down distance, the In in. entering are we dehesa young the of views uphill and we must be likely of cooling our walk pace and enjoy beautiful continues path The Estate. Country Porrada the towards up on head will Corn Bunting The CrestedLarkisabirdofopencountry Common Buzzard the in grazing gently pates of both cattle breeding and agriculture. Horses, sheep and cows are partici- state country This farmhouses. restored of group a is Porrada The rra ridgesandbytheArtafiMountainpass. Trassie- de María Santa the at now are We it. discover to us for waits unit around to look at the Vega valley. To the north, other different landscape turn to want may we and climbing the of end the to get we point this At ••• Km13.9.ThePorradafarmhouse with thesingingsofLarkssuchCrestedLark. much aware of the birds’ twits around us and the cattle bells harmonising La PorradaCountryEstate.Mainaccess foto ratonero and between Olive Trees. The place appea- place The Trees. Olive between and dehesa 49 GR-48Córdoba 50 GR-48Córdoba forms of the Trees’ partly naked trunks contrast with the green of the pas - capricious The Oaks. Holm to terrain gaining are Trees Oak Cork where Leaving aside a small reservoir for cattle watering, we will get to a spot may walkers careful some clearprintsleftbyWild Boars intheirsearchforfood. less those even ground, the On Bindweed. Rough and Ivy with mixed Brambles and Elms of patches defined well Cork OakwoodlandinLaBrazona CountryEstate Every now and then we will spot by the watercourses shy riverside small Brook. Matalagartos the in water will they All brooks. and streams water Since wecrossedthegate,havebeenpassingbyaseriesofseasonal ••• Km16.4.LaBrazonacountryestate we crossed. after us behind shutting remain will that gate lattice a by marked is tion direc- correct The it. of end the at fork a for out watch descends, path the As Brook. Matalagartos the to us takes that undergrowth Mediterranean thick by framed and wires with off will fenced slope we steep short Then a up degrees. climb 90 right veer should they the that to order direction right in the walker, indicate will path the of walls stone dry The where differentracesofcattlearefed. ‘nava’ vast the above the from watch that Buzzards by watchtowers as amount of birds of prey in the area. The isolated Trees are especially used groves. As Machado said, ‘these are lands for eagles’. It is remarkable the enjoy the walk through the meadow now dotted with some isolated Pine may walkers the and slightly descends track the top, the reaching After Río town. of land’ is the exact distance between this farmhouse and Almodóvar del on groves through the Country State and it is named after it. Two ‘leagues was livestock seasonally taken when from the highlands to the times past in importance exceptional of be to red vega. The path we are walking dehesa the corkpastures. and groves Olive these between disparity Unusual State. Country vacas’ Lo- Carmen Doña enters that left the to one another by pass and gate a in flooded partially winter time, we is will get to the border of the country which estate. We will cross bed stream a on to Walking left north. off up branch head and degrees 90 around turn then will We ahead. on carry will which footpath Porrada the leave will we junction, next the At ••• Km17.9.LaJarosajunction those sectionswheresomebedrockrocksshow. on emerge Rockrose Greasy the and Gorse Broom, of undergrowth lous the place of Holm-Oaks. Beloved of sunny slopes, the specific thermophi- taken clearly have Oak Cork another. one follow pastures and rills small where trip a to walkers the taken coaster roller a be to appears track The Cork Oakwiththree‘legs’willkeepthewalkers’attention. sink-pile washing a probablyeven and cattle in the usefor troughs up water to of lastseries a century.by out marked Just a few meters ahead, a showy groundwatercloseclearareslope.tothatiswe It levelssinceroute theis the path drops down toward one of the stream beds that drain off this humid We will leave the Brazona’s farmhouses standing on a hill to our right. Again the cattledroppings. in food abundant find surely Hoopoe the like birds Insectivorous tures. through a forest that gains on vegetation cover with evergreen shrub of shrub evergreen with cover vegetation on gains that forest a through The track goes up and down and somehow becomes narrower as it goes species. ombrophilous as known is and environments shady and wet of typical that is vegetation Therefore, rates. rainfall high with province the in places humid most the of one Trassierra, district approaching are We From this point ahead, walkers will find clear differences in the landscape. The ParasolMushroom 51 GR-48Córdoba 52 GR-48Córdoba de Trassierravillage. Street which is the road that passes through and the access to Santa María This sectionofthetrackwillcome toanendassoonwegetArroyo kept forlaterdistributioninthe area. and in stored was mountains the in areas higher the from snow where cellar snow ancient an was there point, this from far not and ago Time and Heathers Trees, Strawberry of undergrowth Mediterranean and groves Pine through descent agreeable an have still will We finish. Sala- to about El almost is journey the our development entering housing do fully On road. countryside the by fountain the at thirst our quench to want may we after, Shortly left. turn will we where We carry on walking on the countryside roadup to get to a new junction Trees andtheshadyPinegroves. not a big issue as we still may enjoy the sight of good specimens of Cork is this fact, In another. to one follow increasingly developments housing some and ente- village Trassierra de María Santa of areas surrounding actually the ring are We lodgings. Gamonosa the by junction the at road countryside a into turn will lately following been have we track dirt The ••• Km19.6.LaGamonosacountryestate track. this of sections attractive most the of one is this Perhaps, vegetation. red to alte- scarcely this of worthy sight the enjoy to around walking time little a spend be will It beautiful. exceptionally is walk the of section This Wood Blewitcanbefoundbeneaththisdensebrushwood. the and Mushroom Parasol the such mushrooms eatable autumn, In om. Bro- Butcher’s and Heathers Trees, Strawberry tinus), (Viburnum Durillo Larustinus berries Durillo (Viburnum tinus). (Viburnum Durillo tion andpicnicareas. recrea- as designate been have areas natural large as actions human by environment natural the on placed pressure the of spite in highlands, se Still district. Córdoba the- in preserved are value ecological highest the of places natural some of areas municipal through crossing be will We Mountains. Bética southern far-off the even and Valley Guadalquivir the of sight te comple- a for watchtower exceptional an be will hill The Mountains. ba Torreárboles de Cerro retinas. and the evergreen Pine groves of the Villares Park will long remain in our pastures trees Oak Cork the Brook, Bejarano the along forest gallery sive impres- the track, the of section this accomplished have we once Later, other traditionalorculturalones. to linked values natural exceptional their of because elements natural or areas natural those to Government Andalusia the of Council Governing ral Monument which is a figure of environmental protection given by the Trassierra natural environment has been proposed to be declared as Natu- rreárboles atCerroMurianovillage. to off die to come to Estates Country Alhondiguilla and Río del Baldíos the through goes and Brook Bejarano the over cross Trassierra, de María Santa at off starts path traditional This Pino’. del Pasada ‘Vereda as known route cattle the on completely almost along goes section The the of sight mountain landscape. traditional the up break smallholdings and developments the sierra best preserved areas yet human actions on the form of housing time the of at one through us take will journey The city. the of neighbourhoods two are which villages small two links route the of section This CERROMURIANO SANTAMARÍADETRASSIERRA- STAGE4: Difficulty: MIDEevaluation * Horse ridingandmountainbiking (norecommendedatTorreárbolessection) Time: 5hours Distance: 1.5Km.approx Finish: CerroMuriano Start: SantaMaríadeTrassiera the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment: is the higher peak (692 m.) of the Sierra de Córdo- de Sierra the of m.) (692 peak higher the is 2 1 hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: Suitability: Cerro To- Cerro 3 2 53 GR-48Córdoba 54 GR-48Córdoba Sculpture ofLaVirgen deTrassierra.Stage4starting point the of sculpture A path. traditional Pino del Pasada the of beginning the at just Trassierra, of areas eastern the at be will point starting actual The Rose- mary Flowers’). (‘The Romero’ del Flores ‘Las titled place the of beauty the about was the parson of the village parish church and he wrote a famous poem was living in this village. Years later, the illustrious poet Luis de Góngora away from Córdoba. Before discovering America, Christopher Columbus far Km 20 over is it even city the of neighbourhood a also is that village small quite a Trassierra, de María Santa at off starts route the of stage This ROUTEDESCRIPTION

Altitude (m) 100 200 300 400 0 012345678 at aí eTaira-Cerro MurianoSanta María de Trasierra - Distance (Km) Distance

about the fresher areas by the small water beds. When walking in au- in walking When beds. water small the by areas fresher the about vegetation the to attention especial give should We shrubs. Flax Spurge on. The shrub layer enriches with white leaved Rockroses, Rosemary and trees pastures are a clear sign of the type of landscape we will be walking Oak Cork the gate, first the through crossing after and track the on Back Mosque ofCórdoba. helptoout with the expenses theofmaintenance andworks theofAljama Islamic devout had an obligation to work in the place at least one week a year banned.ishistoryplaceThe thealsothattellstimeeveryofaboutat how that in the Islamic religion any representationisthe actual ofanimal. eitherIt is humanone of the orfew figurative animal bodyIslamic of statues.the It is known was placed on a foot at the centre of the pond and today it is in the courtyard 1888 to up which century) (10th epoch Caliphal the from sculpture elephant called is It place. tiful and no far from it, we may be interesting on pay a short visit to another beau- path the of right the To back. our at smallholdings the foot-path,remaining a into turn eventually will road countryside the Brook, Bejarano the Towards it isparamounttogetbackthejunctionabovementioned. cellent gallery forest in great conservation. After this worthy roundabout, ex- an within waterfalls and paddles some comprises Córdoba, de Sierra This breathtaking enclave, one the most representative natural sites of the to the astonishing natural area known as the on walking on the original path for about 1 kilometre or so. They will get carry to recommend we walk longer a for mood the Bejarano in those the For Brook. towards path the take to right bend will we There ahead. After we mended a water-course, we need to pay attention to the junction where wewillfeelnursedbyStrawberryTreesandOaks. if we opt to walk on a section of the path that goes parallel to the road and will enter to a relatively fresher area. The walk may be a bit more pleasant eventually which road countryside a on walking be will we while, a For good milestonestolocatetheplace. two are bar) half groceries, (half shop peculiar a and Trasierra de Virgen Natural sitenear the BejaranoRiver Museo Diocesano de Córdoba. The most peculiar quality of this sculpture . The name of the place takes after an an after takes place the of name The Elefante. del Fuente Baños de Popea (Popea Baths). 55 GR-48Córdoba 56 GR-48Córdoba First sourceoftheBejaranoBrook minerals the grinding and beating for mill Fulling a be to used mill water the will shortly after bump into the remains of the Martinete Water Mill. Originally gates.Ifwedecide togoacross the gate onthe left, this isdownstream, we small two spot will we brook the across wading after Just route. the on break We come to a most highly interesting place where it is worthy to have a short ••• Km3.2.BejaranoBrook hear thesehabitualwalkers’politegreetings. frequently you if surprise No sierra. the into up walks weekly of lovers us to the Bejarano Brook valley. This is a very popular route for hikers and Almost without noticing, the walk through this flat pastures land will take produce youdrowsinessormayendupintoxicated. berry Trees. Watch out the amount of those fruits you eat as either it may Straw- the from fruits red some eat moderately to able be will we tumn, The remains of the Bejarano Farmhouse 35.000 m 35.000 to 20.000 from out pour to used spring the basis daily a in calculations, tura Ven- Ángel Professor to According Córdoba. of city the to water supplying for source main the was spring this centuries many For Valdepuentes. called aqueduct kilometres 18 impressive an waters flowing the by up built Roman ancient the A.D. century First the In flowing. stopped has never spring This structure whichoncewasthewatersholder. built stone a of remains the seen be can still waterfall the to Off Spring). Main called and upstream metres 200 about located waterfall small a to access the open right the on gate The mill. flour extractedfrom the nearby mining works. Later on, itwas transformed into a the Alhondiguilla pasture lands. There the track changes course to the left and to closer get we streams, tributary Bejarano the of some across wade we As the enormoussizeofsome treesstems. cork trees pastures and pine groves. The walker’sto the left the remains of attentionthe Bejarano farmhouses to go deep into a section of will be caught by getback tothe original track. should Then,we downstream, wewill or carry upstream oncuriosity walking our quench ahead to leavingopt we Either Blackbird ortheOriole. for an endless number of birds which can be watched in the trees such as the home also is Brook Bejarano the course, water any around happens it As site. treesbetweenand mosses lichensand which confers sylvanthe the alooktoof shade the in grows Bindweed Rough and Ivy such vines climbing of of Alders, Elms, Hazels and some Willow Trees. The Becausegallery forest located all along ofthe theBejarano Brook comprises moist,a rich variety a range Azahara. Medina of palace city the to water supply to used mainly was aqueduct the epoch Islamic the In time. that of cities important other to compare standards life the raised city the therefore and, system sewer city the on off better a to 3 of water. This mega structure and water network also contributed contributed also network water and structure mega This water. of Primer Venero del Bejarano del Venero Primer (Bejarano (Bejarano 57 GR-48Córdoba 58 GR-48Córdoba Natural sitenearby LaAlhondiguillaCountryEstate . few metersafter,itjoinstheCórdoba–Villaviciosaroad(CO-110). willcarry We onwalking road. aheadcountryside tothea front. becomes Thetrack it goeswhere gently junction uphill a anda meets path the climb, spreadingunder theprotection ofPine groves ingood shape. After steepa path.This issectiona ofthe route where housing developments are clearly From this point forward smallholdings are spreading fast on both sides of of the cover impressive humid Mediterraneanundergrowth. much a by outlined still land; are plain borders the the on however wider stretches path The gate. main Estate Country Alhondiguilla the at and groves cork huge of shade the in now are We ••• Km5.62.LaAlhondiguillacountrystatemainentrance to adaptation botanical a prevent herbivorespredation. is which ‘leaves’ false the of centre the in singly borne are berries red showy the and flowers Small leaves. spine-tipped stiff, Butcher’sThe evergreenlowBrooma is shrub with flat shoots resembling and Heathers Trees, Strawberry ween Especial mention to the Butcher’s Broom shrubs that now can be spotted bet- willwefind some good specimens humidof Mediterranean again where mountains undergrowth.the of side shady bearable much a into us take will Butcher’s broomplant undergrowth. undergrowth. tinus) (Viburnum Durillo Oleanders, Strawberry Trees,Larustinusbushes andsomeFerns. humid area where the Mediterranean undergrowth thickens more much a into fit will brook the and ascend progressively will track The with Brambles, cimens ofBlackPoplarsandAsh Trees. spe- some see will we junction fluvial this At Estate. Country the drains that bears left at the point where the brook, parallel to completelyourbreedingbullfightingbull devotedfortrack,to purposes. track meetsThe the brook as known also was which estate country Cordobés the is side right the on Still Trees. Eucalyptus the substitute will Oleanders and Brambles of track belt impenetrable the an narrows, as valley However, the and brook. progresses the by trees eucalyptus some see will We that goesparallelalongthebrook. turn to the right and away from the road to get to the pitted path will get to the Agua Brook or thalweg. The track then makes a U- and,soon after crossing the road we will take a path on the right side. This attention pay to need we There Estate. Country Cordobés El impressive the track will go across to the opposite side of the road having on the right side vesofthe road. Shortly before weget tothe Chaparral Country Estate, the cur- many the avoiding now side left the on but road the to parallel run still The track goes across the road by the Phlomis (Phlomispurpurea). cimensofStrawbwrry Trees, Rockroses, Laurustinuses (Laurustines), Purple the rich Mediterranean undergrowth in the area which comprises large spe- on both sides of the track. This is a especially interesting sectionyet it becausenarrows of and undergrowth cover increases Attheparking area thetrack ispretty wide at somesections. ground make the thepath almost on printsimpassable bike deep the and biking mountain for track popular very a is This Córdoba (CO-110)road. de Villaviciosa of right the to parallel runs (CO-3404) junction. From this point, road Villares the ourand area trackparking Assuan the willget into adirt road at aflat section which is about100 meters towards Villaviciosa town. We waves rolling. Nevertheless, our track winds north resultingseasand thewavyfromthe seen be can that of (cattle route) run along sections of the track. A ripple mark covers a section a and Road Roman Ancient an both where path traditional a PR The ••• Km8.75.Assuanjunction.LagardelaCruzandLaConejera . A ripple mark is a fossil beach. On this one still still one this On beach. fossil a is mark ripple A pecuaria. vía meetsTraición la ourde trackCuesta Sendero at this junction. This is housing developments. It will Rozales housing developments. It will La Conejera La Vereda de Linares vía pecuaria pecuaria vía and that is is that and path path 59 GR-48Córdoba 60 GR-48Córdoba A viewofTorreárboles Hill We months. autumnal in found easily are Cap ,Milk Saffron such hrooms Operative Center) which is located between young Pine groves where mus- Regional (INFOCA INFOCA del Provincial Operativo Centro the of area tion recep- the enter will We Park. Periurbano Villares the of areas surrounding After negotiate a sharp steep climbing we will find ourselves walking on the firebreak strip. kingparallel thetoright sidetheofroadpath andawhich on actually is a TheSaffronmilkcaporRedpinemushroom wal- be will we on now From road. the across go and precaution take will we point, this At Centre. Visitors Villares the is road, the opposite where, 5 kilometre the to get we until up follow will We border. road CO-3404 the to meet to each other. Then we will walk on a firebreak stripIt which will turn will to thetake right us at the point where another two small brook groves. Pine of area reforested thalwegsproper into off head will track the there From gets tothetopofTorreárbolesHill(692m). and hill the of edge the along up climbs sharply that fence a for look will ply up on a footpath which gets to a small pond with a Fig Tree nearby.after coming out of the underground path, We we branch right and climb stee- immediatelyJust road. Badajoz – Córdobathe belowunderground path footpaths join this one and may invite to confusion. The track will get to an Nevertheless, we may to be alert to signposting along the path since many hill. easily is peak the of top on standing aerials This telecommunication many the to due spotted direction. right the on walking on carry to reference our be will Hill Torreárboles of peak geodesic the onward, point this From the formerstonebuildingspersistlikesilentwitnessesfromthepasttimes. up. Today this ancient activity is not longer in use and only the remains of boiler the heat to used were timber and Scrub lime. produce to off melted CaleraLathe remainsisformer aof lime kiln where limestone rockswere ••• Km15.75.LaCaleralimekiln climb uptotheroadbordercomeoutthroughacountrygate. gradually and left wind will it since track the to alert be to need we Here us. to the road. As the walk progresses, we will leave the recreation area behind We will cross through the recreation area always walking on the closer path thirst. ThenwewillgointotheVillaresParkformerentry. will pass by the sport pitches to get to a fountain where we may quench our Access toaformer limekiln 61 GR-48Córdoba 62 GR-48Córdoba settlements. There is an information board on this matter by the Cobre (CopperMuseum) inthevillage. by matter this on board information an is There settlements. and sites mining former of remains the and transportation mineral to related was copper transformedwhere different into products,buildings several buildingsother structures other andand mills forge mines, shafts, deposits, tected area around it stretches over 70.36 hectares.This catalogued mining site covers an area of 24.8 hectares although the pro- The whole site comprises down in1918. turies, different British companies owned the mining sites until they were shut site during the Roman occupation in Hispania. Later, in the 19th and 20th cen - period (2800-1500 B.C) becoming an importantCatalogue). raw-metalThe whole land-basedarea was mininga exploitation mining from the ChalcolithicAndaluz (Andalusia Histórico Patrimonio Del General General Historic Heritage declared as ‘Sitio Histórico’ (Historical Site) and is also included in the It is really worthy to visit the mining site located off to the village. This area is Muriano Cerro village mainroadwhichisthisstageofthejourneyfinish. to get to abreast walking keep will we yet roundabout a to get will We road. the on walking on carry will we onwards, point this From picnic areaneartoawaterwell. a dirt path that will take us to the Muriano road junction and passes by a small the to up and hill the After a well deserved break, we will go down this time on the opposite side of Range foothillsand,inbrightcleardaystheSierraNevadawhitesummits. thtakingsighting oftheGuadalquivir Valley, theBéticas andJaén Mountain Sierra of Córdoba After climbing up the hill we will find ourselves atop the highest peak of the ••• Km18.25.Torreárbolesgeodesicpeak Some snowonTorreárbolesHillsummit and at almost to 700 meters of altitude. We will have a brea- Santa María de los Pinares Hermitage.los de María Santa There we will take Museodel Catálogo Catálogo Los VillaresPeriurbanoPark meal attheend oftheday). drinking and sharing a sort of paella and eating family and friends with ‘peroles’outday do(a place tothis to traditionallycome people when city, the Saintof patron the Day, Raphael in especially and, holidays the Perseidas Falling. But it is in bank watch to comepeople whenNight Lawrence Saint in or wild the in out day a spend to countryside the to stillserve thoseto likely forcoming park picnic areas and recreation area the Nevertheless, place. in put were usesrestrictions aboutand Park no Periurba- as declared was 1990 In year. every park the visit to come tural world. Over half million visitors na- the enjoy to and picnic to come Córdoba from people where place Traditionally, Los Villares has been a uses andrecreation. people’s for are that and area urban areas which are relatively close to an tection given to those natural public A periurbano park is a figure of pro- second largeintheregion. the and Network) Natural Areas (AndalusiaProtected RENPA the in includedareas the of one is It ods. pine groves and Mediterranean wo- protectedha485 a areacomprising ••• o Vlae Prubn Pr is Park Periurbano Villares Los hog 25 ees f Mediterra- nean woodand Pinegroves. of meters 275 through goes which impairment physical with people for adequateperfectly footpath a is This path. Umbría the is park this of peculiarity Another looked atinthecentre. be Vulturescan andKestrels, Owls Eagles, Golden Vulture, Egyptian the territory.such animals endangered the Wild within face to have animals wild thatproblems thecurrent and is Andalusia of fauna the where situation actual the both of aware people make to aimed is ce pla- The world. wild the into back animal species which cannot be put cometo the centre and watch those nessthisofplacethat ispeople can unique - The Species). Endangered the Recoveringofthe (CentreforCREA is Centre Visitors the Nearby Montoro NaturalPark. Cardeña– the and Park Natural los Hornachue- the as such Córdoba of Sierrathe especialofnaturalplaces the and Mountains, Subbéticas the areas;southernhumid the depth in show which province the in areas protected natural the about bition exhi- permanent a is the there At Centre, Centre. Visitors a and site camping with a equipped areas, recreation wellsome is park The 63 GR-48Córdoba 64 GR-48Córdoba Difficulty: MIDEevaluation ceptible inthearea per- clearly is still functions and uses its by made impression the since track thousand-years-old this of significance especial and relevance rical histo- the senses their all through grasp easily will walker the Certainly, fountains inVillahartasurroundingareas. are the Cerro Muriano Copper Mining Sites and the healing Spa Baths and by this of examples good Two area. the of underground rich the with locals established relationship traditional the to related much are features fensive role played by the castle in safeguarding this track. Other cultural Vacar Castle. The castle strategic location tells us about the important de- the of remains the are Remarkable heritage. historic and cultural rich a of remains the with across come will hikers track the along all addition, In work ofroadsandpaths. the everlasting pressure posed on the environment by the traditional net- despite conditions conservation good in track is cover vegetation the A borders. along undergrowth Mediterranean varied and healthy much and trees Holm-Oak of dehesas ending never comprises landscape The waymarking thecompostelaneanroute. for used arrows yellow typical the following be frequently will we route the of branch southern the is Mozárabe Camino the Badajoz, to Granada from dalusia the to match track sections the some of as recognition especial an has route our of section This we metinpreviousstagesoftheGR-48route. which track Soriana Real Cañada the onto and roads Roman Ancient of sections on walking ourselves find will We history. by marked been has itinerary the of section this Certainly, purposes. military and commercial different routes have been historically used for livestock moving, and for where track the of section a is This road. national Badajoz – Córdoba the This stage of the journey runs south – north and almost entirely parallel to CERROMURIANO-VILLAHARTA STAGE5: Time: 5hours Distance :21.4Km Finish: Villaharta Start: CerroMuriano thetrack. Difficulty infollowing Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment: famous route. On this section of our of section this On route. famous Santiago de Camino track. Crossing through An- through Crossing track. Mozárabe Camino 1 1 hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: Suitability: 3 2 and throughIlex Treesonsoftroundedslopes. road the to parallel left runs that footpath a on walking keep to us hind be- them left and village small the this is by which houses scattering cross of cluster will We Park. Periurbano Villares the towards branches there road country from CV-45 The track. the of left the to remains voir reser- small Guadanuño the houses, Station Old Obejo to Approaching ••• Km3.2.ObejoRailStation.Guadanuño Reservoir llel tothemainroadandpassesinfrontMilitaryDepot. will cross over the railings in order to get back to the track that runs para- as known track which in its turn, also matches both the ancient roman original road Soriana Real Cañada the matches route our here, From boundary. Camp the at locate neighbourhood the to up for- head will Córdoba-Almorchón we Then, the railway. mer across go and road the leave will we ter quar- Civil Guardia the to opposite just and ahead walking on carry We information aboutthisGR-48route. many get can we where Center) Development Rural Cordobesa Morena right is the Centro de Desarrollo Rural de Sierra Morena Cordobesa (Sierra our to and village the leave to about are we when Just Badajoz. towards Church. We will walk on the pavement at the right side of the N-432 road This stage of our route starts off at Santa Bárbara de Cerro Muriano Parish as territory municipal they aremanymilitarybarracks,arsenalsandlargeshootingranges. the within area large a occupies base Depot. army Military This XXI Brimz Army Euro the is enduring village small this down Cerro Muriano Shafts. The other main activity which has facilitated was in 1929 when the Córdoba Copper Company Ltd. decided to closed the first copper extractions took place in prehistoric times and the last one as years 5.000 over widens tradition work mining The works. mining to by shared Obejo andCórdobaadministrations.Thisisaplacetraditionallydevoted is municipality which village secondary a is Muriano Cerro ROUTEDESCRIPTION

Altitude (m) 300 400 500 600 700 and the GR-40 trail. Shortly after, we after, Shortly trail. GR-40 the and Corduba-emeritam ab Iter 0 er uin Villaharta - Muriano Cerro 01 20 15 10 5 Distance (Km) Distance

65 GR-48Córdoba 66 GR-48Córdoba o cos Te ean o te ee cosn kees fre cbn are cabin perceptible inthe shadeofsomethreethorns acacias. former keepers’ crossing level the of remains The cross. not At this point of the route, we will reach the old level crossing that we will ••• Km6.Aformerlevelcrossing. TheViaductovertheroad is Tits increasingly becomingmoreperceptible. Great and Tits Blue Magpies, of sound the while Oaks old years hundred through winds that track pleasant a into turns path The cilities. fa- Invernal Validez Network Roads National the of flank left the on king wal- keep and houses the behind leave will we noticing, much Without on thehilloutskirt. hill impressive an spot can we east, which appears to be draped by the granite boulder cluster that crops out the to and railway the and road the path, our to Opposite view. amazing an enjoy can we right our To Gorses, Masticshrubstepperockroses. Rockroses, Greasy bushes, Flax Spurge Lavender, Spanish Rockroses, te meters. 100 The range than varies from less young pine within trees to found Holm Oak be bushes, whi- can scrub different of dozen a over fact, In undergrowth. Mediterranean of examples interesting some find will we around look and stop we if However, attractive. less be to appears On this section of the track, parallel to the left side of the road, vegetation locomotives andshuntingenginesoperatinginthearea. old the for water provide to aimed was station the Originally away. far kilometres 20 about located town small the after named is Station Obejo Pasture isaconstantofthelandscapealongthissectiontrail A formerrailway bushes are gradually colonizing the railway line. Today shoots of these of shoots Today line. railway the oak colonizing extent gradually are what bushes to notice to railings derelict the at look to worthy is It main gatetotheleftandabandonedrailwayright. right. The track will remain between the Dehesa del Campo country state which, from this point ahead, will run next to the road and parallel to our road the over viaduct the under go will we does, railway former the As 67 GR-48Córdoba 68 GR-48Córdoba and Castle Hierro de Mano le; our attention. The castle is known by three different names: El Vacar Cast- keep time Caliphal the from castle a of remains the hill, a of top the From El VacarCastle nally bakedbreadandhealthybreakfast. traditio- for searching those for stop early essential an become has it and travelers and hunters within popular very is village the fact, In food. and drinks some find to difficult no be will where and toilets and restaurants districts. This is a good place for breaking since it has good services such municipal Córdoba de Villaviciosa and Espiel Obejo, of part is territory rent municipalities of the province meet at this small village so the village Our path will carry on and get into El Vacar village main road. Three diffe- ••• Km11.45.ElVacarsmallvillage small village. Vacar El to get will we arsenal army the to takes that road tarmac local the by passing On gate. access Campo del Dehesa the of one by passes and path services road the onto goes track the village Vacar El Towards enters thepasturelands. and railway the across goes track the where point the to attention pay to need we yet year the of time any track the follow to easy is it Anyhow, railings. the on track the follow to paramount is it so reed with covered land pasture flooded a into turns area the season, rain the In on. culated cir- once trains where base ballast the was ago long what occupy trees until we meet a thalweg covered on undergrowth. From there the path the there From undergrowth. on covered thalweg a meet we until road main the to off walking on carry that choice other no have will We other fouratthe flanksofwhichonlysometrimmed remainsstayup. the and corner each at one towers, eight has it Originally up. standing the rectangular shaped fortress and some of the thick mortar walls remain only Today, road. busy time that at this safeguarding on function portant Dar-Al-Baqar Castle. It used to have an im- an have to used It Castle. La MatanzaSlope to adescendingarea. up and ahead goes that road service the on walk will we onward, point this From road. 3075) (A- Villaviciosa the at roundabout a to us take will go tracing. riana and the follows still path Pasos the into bump will we There road. the across get to downwards go and U-turn a make will we walk, Mediterranean the descending this of end the At scrub. the of break monotony Brambles and Reeds re whe- courses water minor different across wade will it and descend begins to path the track, the on Back important. less considered is one this although characteristics same the with spring is one this to Close spring. water healing this visit to path the from left the to turn slightly then will La We Cordel. as del Fuente known path signed post slo- a the take of will side we lower where the pe to go and road service the leave will We through aMediterraneanscrubespeciallyofrockroseshrubs. goes path the and road the of flank left the at located is area The slope). as known popularly is slope This ••• Km14.5.LaCuestadelaMatanzaslope Fountain shed. Over here our here Over shed. Fountain onan another Fountain, Belleza La Camino Mozárabe de Santia- Cañada Real So- Real Cañada Malos (The Slaughter (The Matanza la de Cuesta La Trail blazing 69 GR-48Córdoba 70 GR-48Córdoba Los MalosPasosFountain Cura; LaFuentedelCordelandfuentedeSanRafael. del Mananial Angelitos; Los Lastrilla; La Infierno; del Boca La Agria; Fuente and renal colic. The main springs and fountains are: diabetes treating for suitable therapeutic especially are They properties. healing have and also which waters the of given taste is characteristic name the after The Fountains). Water Sour (The Agria Agua de Fuentes The ••• Km18.7.TheMalosPasosFountain Los MalosPasosFountainPavillion Fountain is locate within a set of springs known as the as known springs of set a within locate is Fountain Pasos Malos La Salud; Malos Pasos; turns into a countryside road that winds left and takes us to Villaharta to us village, theendofthisstage. takes and left winds that road countryside which a path into Mimbre turns the to again connect to pitch football the by pass developments and the village neighbourhoods will welcome us. We will housing where top the to get to Reeds and Trees Oak through up climbs slightly and road the to parallel runs footpath This right. our to footpath a on walking on carry to path the leave will we road the to getting be- fore meters 50 alert. be to need we bridge, another over crossing After by agraniticcross. connects to a countryside road known as Pedrique’s path road which the will Brook, pass Mimbre the eu- over bridge old a some crossing After of trees. calyptus shade the in is facade which Bath Spa Old Elisa Santa the right the to leaving municipality Villaharta towards heads path The also healedtheirdiscomfort. but water this with thirst their quenched have could only not shepherds and breeders livestock past, the in that believe to us makes location cial The Camino Mozárabe Malos Pasos Fountain is located by the Cañada Real Soriana. This espe - relevance ofthistrack. especial the herein dura, Extrema- in lands the to Caliphate,the of city pital ca- the time that at doba, Mozárabe in The Al-Andalus. located ports mercial com- busy the to towns important and cities inner big the connected tracks and paths of Ages. network This Middle the in tant impor- very Peninsula were which Iberian areas the southern of and tre cen- the in up set tracks and paths historical many The comprises Route town. Jacobin Mérida from Route Jacobin Plata la de the of branch a The is is Mozárabe Camino connected Cór- connected Camino Camino Camino 71 GR-48Córdoba 72 GR-48Córdoba cattle path. bad-surfaced narrow a just be to turns it and roughens track the path, jas –especially from the Cañada Real Soriana descansadero and by the Mon- sections some along However, roads. countryside busy very not a even and paths dirt paths, quality good uses and track the ups time most continuous and of downs made mainly is stage this of cross-section The Panoramic viewatthebeginning of thestage6. and organiclivestockbreedingintheregion. farming organic of development the facilitated recently has that way a in other each complement uses land those fact, In other. each to one llow fo- lands pastures and groves Olive how see will we section this Along lled onlivestockrearingandcattletranshumance. ski- much so were who people Caucasian those by improved was ding be presumptuous to think about how much bovine and ovine cattle bree- River because Berber tribes settled by the river shores in the past. It would We will wade through the Guadalbarbo River also known as the Berber’s support thetraditionallivestockrearingonthesehighlands. Soriana. We will be walking in an area where Olive groves developments Real Cañada the matched sections some at which tracks traditional cient an- the of one is This Mountains. Cordobesa Morena Sierra the the of at heart located are which towns two connects route the of section This VILLAHARTA-OBEJO STAGE6 of Córdoba. Mountains traditionally Morena Sierra the of quarter this have in history own their up built people local how on walker the illustrate will route the of stage This slope. prominent moun- a the atop standing be town will Obejo tainous stage the of end the At about. grazing herds sheep many with lands pasture large and blooming seasonal the by groves coloured Olive groves, Oak of mixture pleasant a be will landscape The up ourwaterbottlesatthefountain thatisoutsidethevillage. Olive and groves fill even Pine and water some have can we town the leave away we Before groves. far of views huge a open will and slope half oriented western the mark will track the of tracing The road. 6410) This stage of the route starts off Villaharta village on the Pozoblanco (CO- ROUTEDESCRIPTION Difficulty: MIDEevaluation Time: 6hoursand15minutes Distance: 18.2Km Finish: Obejo Start: Villaharta

the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment: Altitude (m) 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 0 01 41 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 ilhra-Obejo Villaharta - 1 1 hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: Distance (Km) Distance Suitability: 3 2

73 GR-48Córdoba 74 GR-48Córdoba tern regionwhere theGuadalbarboValleyis. follow up for a big while. This dirt path will swing right towards the will wes- we that conditions good in track dirt a with meet until path this on walking on carry will We though. demolished almost is factory the day standing is the of chimney the it distance, the In down. drops slightly it and, bushes with riddled hill a along skirts path dirt the farmhouses, the behind Leaving track andbearleft,directlyaway fromtheroad,andintoadirtpath by dry stone walls. Just passing by the farmhouses we will be alert to the dings comprising Olive groves and Almond groves and perfectly limited The cover. vegetation ro Ravine covered by an Oak wood in good conservation and with a lush the to get will we road, countryside the on progresses walk the As right. the to patch of Rockroses and connects to a countryside road that we will follow thick a through ascends slightly path the brook, the across wading After turies oflivestockmovinginthearea. cen- after stones the in remaining marks polished the spot may we Here track The ford. stony a by area. riverbed the crossing to up footpath narrow a picnic into turns the from out comes that brook tiny the towards walking on carry and dump former sealed the left the to leaving fence perimetral dump the along walk will We Mountains. Córdoba of Morena Sierra the into deep us take will which track Monjas the of beginning the marks also place The dump. rubbish former a on located is which area picnic a into bump will we village, the leaving after kilometres two Just ••• Km1.DescansaderodeLaSerrana.TheMonjastraditionalpath La SerranaRecreationArea having on our right the impressive Enjambrade- impressive the right our on having farmhouses Pavillo that indicates us the right direction. To- direction. right the us indicates that Factory Chato r srone b smallhol- by surrounded are Farmhouses Pavillo . The Guadalbarbo River continue waters these time, present the for But Reservoir. Guadalmellato the in again next stage of the route and river just before the river gets ‘domesticated’ in the the over cross will We (wadi-baebar). River Berbers’ We are now at the bridge over the Guadalbarbo River also known as The Trees thatbreakthemonotonyofOlivegroves. Poplar of patches and Brambles with covered courses water small some between and valley Sabina the to up María sinuously descends to track The Farmhouse. access main the right the to leaving and groves Olive of plateaus low some through pass will we progresses, track dirt the As plain lands ••• El Chatoformeroilpressandmill m .. h dr tak o udlab. lns e Villaharta de Llanos Guadalbarbo. to track dirt The 4.6. Km 75 GR-48Córdoba 76 GR-48Córdoba Panoramic viewnear ‘Peliblancos’ both Farmhouses, standing atopthehill. Arruzas the and Peliblancos the are they left, the To brook. the of head the to parallel runs now which path the refreshes and off shades gently that grove poplar a again enter will we hill, the of top the reaches almost path the When shrubby. Mediterranean and olive groves through winds vegetation Riverbank side. shady Molinillo the of and valley the of views staggering the out open where hill the on levels higher gain to again ascend will path the bridge, the crossed having On Tracks ofotters Chon- drostoma lemmingii)canstillbefound. the and sclateri Barbus as (such species fish endangered where stream natural this protecting for figure legal a Community is This of (LIC). Sites Importance as protected been has river the of section good A why otters havechosentheriverbankstolivein. reason the also is This stream. continuous and healthy a is of which sign waters a river this in fish see can we time, summer the vegetation. in relevant Even most the are Willows and Elms Poplars, of forests riverbank where valley highland a in materials slate and granitic carving fertile small a supports brook This valley. Brook Fontanares the into getting be will we and left the to sharply turns track the hill, a forded having After tory panelshowingthefunctioning ofthisingenioustool. explana - an is there place, the to Next well. the from out pulled is water the with which buckets of set a to linked is mechanism This work. gears of set a makes belt endless an treading animal an of movement The mill’. tread- ‘blood as known mechanism hydraulic an using out pulled was water ago, years of Hundreds located. is well old an edge, left the at re, At this point of the track, we are coming to the Arruzas gardens area whe- ••• Km9.7.ThebloodtreadmillandtheArruzasfarmhouse Former Treadmill of olive groves and cattle breeding mixed with some garden some with mixed breeding cattle and groves olive of vega 77 GR-48Córdoba 78 GR-48Córdoba Merino sheep:onemainfeatureofthisstage at Obejotown also knownas‘SierraMorena Watchtower’. already be will We surroundings. its and town the of view breathtaking a have will we since worthy is climb this Certainly stage. this of end the by climb steep a into turn will eventually which slope soft a as begins that and right the to branches that path another on walk then will We as theMoralesgardens,wewill leavethistrack. known area the approach we after Soon direction. right village the now marks Obejo through. passed previously have we groves olive with slopes the on those to different totally is on walking are we dehesa This ••• Km16.TheVegapasturelands enter adirttrackthatbranchestotheleftside. of the plain land and it is there precisely where we will leave the road to the on pastures. La Vega graze large livestock exploitation broadly is located just herds in the sheep middle large where and region Pedroches large a by surrounded ves themsel - find will walker the land, plain a into down drops track the As able toidentifyObejotownstandingonahillthesouth. we will have good views of the area and even in the distance, we will be gresses. The track winds as the road climbs up a steep slope. From there pro- walk the as now leaving be will we that district municipal blanco Since we got into the as itlinkedupthishighlandsregiontothePedrochesValley. busy very was track this times past the In town. the approaching are we number The road. that indicates which increases houses countryside and smallholdings of main the matches that track the of section a is This ••• Km12.Obejo–Pozoblancoroad Monjas track we have been walking through Pozo- which resembles those proper of the of proper those resembles which dehesa town. bear right and head towards Obejo towards head and right bear ioer 3. n hr w will we there In 34. kilometre h C-24 od t bu the about at road CO-0284 the show us where the track meets track the where us show A patch of Eucalyptus Trees will will pass by. we that houses country large the of example good a is The plots. Farmhouse Avispas Organic olivegroves andhorsebreedingexistwell togetherintheregion Organic Olivegroves from Villarharta to Obejo it is an is it Obejo to Villarharta from The section of the walk that goes breeding. livestock the of needs the with accomplish to order in products synthesis chemical of pos- use sible the less the been always ones was not a big organic deal because it has to groves traditional Olive from transition The though. product quality high a provided the Olive groveslowperformance addition, In lands. pasture the of proper cereals of farming tock rearing and for an extensive lives- for regions been ditionally tra- have Valley Pedroches the and Morena Sierra of area province. This Córdoba of regions northern the in located is Spain in groves Olive Organic of area ••• Since years ago, the largest the ago, years Since ogtr val shm fr the people livinginthesehighlands. for scheme viable long-term and sustainable a into results tion exploita- land of ways traditional and nature peculiar between communion This region. mark the quality within great a as guished distin- be to oil the makes which characteristics organoleptin some preserves valleys highland these The Organic Olive Oil produced in the best ofthelandusesinregion. as remains still and time our to come has farming and breading lar use of the land combining cattle singu- this civilization Berbers the to thanks that believe to want We by extensive hillocks of Olive trees. supported is cover herbaceous se den- a River, Guadalbarbo the into drain that slopes those On groves. olive organic these of racteristics cha- landscape the better know to walkers for opportunity excellent 79 GR-48Córdoba 80 GR-48Córdoba The Guadalmellato RiverDam corner oftheSierraMorenaMountains. unspoilt much so yet close so this of areas stunning most the of one ver the hiker’s camera time after finishing the trail. We are just about to disco- The memory of these astonishing views will remain in both the retina and way thescrubhaveeasilyrecoveredfromwildfireunfaithfulattac phy. In addition, we will pass by some sections where it is remarkable the slopes the powerful eroding activity and at at the mountains singular look physical geogra- carefully to able be will we where from spots many along the track, the most interesting one is the landscape itself. There are across come will we that features ethnographic and natural the Besides which alsocreatesamuchworthytocontemplatelandscape. Reservoir Guadalmellato the entering resists to appears river The Valley. Guadalbarbo the of views breathtaking the with effort their reward will they certainly, But walkers. unfitted to even and bikers to difficulties sent pre- may sections some and walk descending north-south a is track The reached withthehelpofpackanimals. gradients to which Olive groves stick into sharp abrupt slopes that can be only and ravines deep of geography complex very the into walk will ancient matches and valleys We Valley. Guadalquivir the to village the linked which paths and tracks deep across runs track the points, some At outskirts. Mountains Obejo the along all goes route the of stage This GUADALMELLATODAM OBEJO- STAGE7 ks. Difficulty: MIDEevaluation * street goes between the Council Sport Center and the ‘Vía Augusta’ ru- Augusta’ ‘Vía the and Center Sport Council the between goes street This cementery. the to takes that street paved the at off starts track Our and thatendsupwiththemocking executionofthe‘patatú’master ‘bachimachía’ the as known popularly is which swords with dance tral ances- an performance who dancers Benito San the featuring region- the This is a most popular festival hold in the village -and very famous within Among other features, the most peculiar one is the San Benito pilgrimage. monument declaredofhistoricandartisticinterest. white houses mark the road to San Antonio Abad Church, a 13th century staggered many where village the in flat Street Castillo to A us take itself. will track landscape the is attraction greater Its Córdoba. of Morena Sierra the of mountains the into nailed deeply town highland a is Obejo ROUTEDESCRIPTION Time: 6hours Distance: 22,5km Finish: Guadalmellatodam Start: Obejo Walking, horseridingandbiking(suitableonlyinafewsections) the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment:

1 1 hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: Suitability: . 4 1

81 GR-48Córdoba 82 GR-48Córdoba be seenpleasantly grazingbetweenmassiveOak trees. goes into a bit more humid area by a small that streampath wherethe take bovineto cattleright bear can will we where junction a to come will We area wherePartridgesandWild Boarstracksareeasilyspotted. the in important very also is activity hunting though region, the in rooted pre- much so is farming stock before, said we As the area. the in livestock of sence about us tell which progresses walk the as number in growing are Magpies predominant. are trees no with lands pasture young where Conjuro del Cerro the of surroundings the on area the to given name the is ‘Rasos’reservoir. the into die to come will both where valley the and the Guadalbarbo River one. The two rivers course flow down towards Thetrack drops down ononeslope between tworavines, theGato Brook been cutintothehillsidewhereeverysinglespanoffertilelandisused. dergrowth. These fruit trees are laboriously located on terraces which have un- Mediterranean shrubby the white on paint groves almond blooming of patches the time winter In Junipers. dispersed some and Roc- scrub with kroses covered space open an to up goes which path dirt a to get to On having come to Obejo cemetery, we will go all around its oriental flank ••• Km1.Obejocemetery is quite unusualwithinthisregion. which but hillsides rocky sunny in grows which species coniferous rare is Juniper spring. in blooming daffodils and Rockroses Trees, Pine des of the track. It will keep our attention some Junipers mixed with some si- both along benches some are There gardens. terrace the and houses white town’s the behind leaving slope soft a climb gently to school ral Almond flower Hill Hill Griffon Vulture Wild boar down but the one branching off to anotherthe left. The meetpath shortly junction will where we will not we take the path that path, drops the to Back minimal effort. the withrise toascending airwarm currents of the of advantagetakesthatBuzzard the suchprey of birdssuitsvalley This is also a good place for birdwatching. The physical geography of the landscape intoterracesandpilesofstones. hillside,thestonesfarmersheapsplacedof aretheybywhich shapethe andRockroses bushes. Opposite to the small stream and scattering down Oaks Trees, Olive wild of scrub Mediterranean lush a with packed slopes Conjuro the are there us Behind breaking. for place good a be to appears willmeetnew ajunction where wewill take thebranch totheright. This At the lower section of the path, this will turn to the left and soon after we stony areasandhills. Brambles and Oleanders. This small stream starts the flowing have in will here, between we Cerro del side Conjuro Hill and one on the other on the tiny and Del Viejo stream Brook covered small of the descends path The 83 GR-48Córdoba 84 GR-48Córdoba f h salodn b gig cos h gt aan Tee e will we con-bad the There despite surface better a with path another with connect again. gate the across going by smallholding the of out come will we Then slope. abrupt this cover that groves almond with spattered grove olive an find will we where Hill Chica Cabeza the of on hillside north-western the along goes that walking slope steep sharp a ourselves find will We follow. to hard is it and good in conditions not is path This outskirt. hill the of half the chicken to up goes the that to opposite path the take pass will We walk. easy very and not a for ready be Then coop. stables the between walk to ding breeding. There, we will come out of the path and enter the smallhol- horseto committed smallholding a enclosing gate a for look will We the to getting pay to On need we so attention tothefollowingdirections. route slope. the aside turn facing to easy is it this hill, this on of bottom groves olive with covered descending this of end track. The the one to the right at is known as merge will hills shaped pyramidal Two down head will distance andshowustherightdirection. we place, this the in spotted clearly is which From Ravine Guadalbarbo the towards and farming. stock sheep de- to years of voted hundreds farmhouse traditional small a is Jabalies Los De losJabaliesHillFarmhouse •••Km 5.4. Los ween thescrubandMediterraneanundergrowth. bet- surviving to stuck trees Olive of remnants by surrounded farmhouses the distance the in spot will we left, our to mosttimes and then climbs up to the Jabalíes Hill Farmhouse. On the hills will carry on skirting up to the gate of a private hunting land which is open J abalies Hill small farmhouse and Cabeza Chica Hil Hill and is totally totally is and Cabeza Hill Chica clusterofVieja la de Majada La ••• Km7.45.TheAmericanofarmhouse get tothebackofAmericanoFarmhouse. The new path will drop down and after crossing another gate, we will for bikingonduetotheabruptnessofslopesandhillsides. suitable much so not is track the of section This track. the of ditions have already negotiated: ble road surface, we may turn around and look at the impressive hills we Feeling much easy on the flat valley and once we get to a most comforta - countryside road whichwewillfollowup untiltheendofthisstageroute. the to get to gate a across pass will We slopes. on groves Olive to terrain gain clearly are shrub Mediterranean and lands Pasture road thatconnectsObejotowntotheGuadalmellatoRiverDam. Another reason is to take the path that goes down towards a countryside Mediterranean woodingreatconditionsofconservation. Calderas (the hillsides shady) are fully covered by excellent vegetation. Some back of them support a Guadalbarbo’s The landscape. the is One the at stopping for reasons good few a are There Del AmericanoFarmhouse totally draped with Mediterranean scrub and shrubs. Between these two these Between shrubs. and scrub Mediterranean with draped totally right. One covered on sloping Olive groves and in contrast the other one Cabeza Chica to the left and Americano Farmhouse. Americano Cabeza Gorda to the 85 GR-48Córdoba 86 GR-48Córdoba sharp edgesof its summits. many the after named Hill Cuchillares the of crests quartzite the servoir, re- the of shores opposite the On reservoir. the of view astonishing an have will we hill this of top the From Hill. Puntales Los down drops that from the reservoir tails. Then it will wade across brooks and a small brook away move will sinuously and left the to bear will road countryside The of thesemountains. slopes southern the over spreads that sheet water the attention our keep will forestry It ends. tail Reservoir Guadalmellato the of areas Trees surrounding the by Eucalyptus and Trees Pine of patches some see will We what extendthenaturalenvironmentworsensbecauseof wildfire. to see will we on, Later ago. years fire wild on got which landscape a and side shady Hill Puntales Los support side right the on hills The mountains. The countryside road follows up on a false plain inner area surrounded by The GuadalbarboRiver speeds uptowardsthetailendsofreservoir. flow wider reckless a and land pasture the of most includes plain stony flooding massive A current. larger much a presents River’ Berbers’ ‘the previous stage from Villaharta to Obejo. However, this time, the so called This will be no the first time that we wade the river since we did it on the reservoir tailends ••• those twohillsistheMajadadelaViejaFarmhouse. between and distance the in away Far tinctorea). (Flueggea Tamujos of vegetation riverside shy quite a supporting Brook Viejo Del the is hills Km 9.6. Bridge over the Guadalbarbo River and Guadalmellato Guadalmellato and River Guadalbarbo the over Bridge 9.6. Km ••• Km15.70.Theforestshedwithacontrolbarrier that took place on the area due to wildfire. Where the track meets Los meets track the Where wildfire. to due area the on place took that Still descending, new and amazing sceneries hint at the terrible spectacle the between mass ofvegetation. standing proudly wall rock quartz vertical impressive an attention our keep will hillside opposite the On place. the over scattering groves Olive some with woods shrubby noble and ods wo- of mixture a are reservoir the enclosing areas surrounding The path. ascending our of top highest the at reservoir the across out open Views Durillo (Viburnumtinus)shrubsarebeginningtoliveinthisplaceagain. wild fire holocaust. It is easy to see how Strawberry Trees, Rockroses and the to ground gaining is woods and scrub Mediterranean the way the is route the of section this in feature natural remarkable most the Perhaps this shadyplace. on common very are which trees carob some of shade the by protected rest some get may we where frontal fountain the of side each on bench made stone a is There break. short a for place good a be to appears This source. water the to us lead that steps of set rustic a over fountain built stone rough a is This track. the of side right the by fountain a to get we until walker the for shade provide wood of masses artificial semi These Eurasian JaysandChaffinchs. such birds especially woods, of type this to associated species animal of traffic control. Pine and Eucalyptus forest is increasing as it is the number for past the in used barrier a by shed forest former a into bump will and we down drop to starts path the hill, the of top the reaching after Just The GuadalmellatoReservoir Peñas Rubias, Peñas 87 GR-48Córdoba 88 GR-48Córdoba by theJuntadeAndalucía(AndalusiaGovernment). Iberian Lynx. The LIFE programme is fully funded by the UE and managed the of conservation the for programme LIFE has the to This thanks possible been wild. open the into placed are they before environment new a to adaptation their controlling for enclosure an within released been have specimens The past. far very a in live to used animals singular se specimens of Iberian Lynx were released in this area, where many of tho- to has that action come to occur on singular the Guadalmellato surrounding areas. From a 2009 some here mention to love will we addition, In by theGuadalmellatoDamwhichisalsoendofthisstage. most privileged sight of the reservoir. This descending track comes to die a have will we where from site remarkable a is site the Certainly, above. jos Farmhouse. This maybe is the last chance to look at the reservoir from Just a bit before the end of this stage, we will pass by the the Dam. towards head and left the to U-turn a make will track our path, Puntales Tracks ofaformerwildfireatLosPuntales the development of a range of of range a of development the facilitated has world to natural the relates vegetation terranean Medi- way the However, ments. environ- natural to Mediterranean factor attached an been has wildfire years, of thousands time. For summer in Mediterranean and countries in news bitual ••• Mediterranean woodsandwildfire Wood fires are a sort of ha- of sort a are fires Wood ep ot wee h pat sto- plant the where roots deep really harsh have them of under Some stress. being after again sprouting for capacity great a sess pos- plants Mediterranean Most wildfire event. a after soon regeneration woods up speed to and vegetation serve pre- to order in adaptations plants Los Puntales Ba- a much prodigious capability to to capability prodigious much a plant the to confer which systems Other plants have developed inner from fire. dense tree the protects suberin which (cork) bark a stem with their wrapped have trees oak Cork tree. oak cork the is species these within adaptation significant most The thicker bark. hard a by covered stem much quite a have trees carob and oak such species Leafy a just few monthsafterwildfire. land isolated an on again sprouting for able are For buckthorns Italian and trees Mastic heathers. example, and trees berry straw- to happens it as structures thick by protected well roots also the have they nutrients; the res White Rockroses areespeciallyefficientatcolonizing burnedsites Foto corcho should trynottoforget. we that and freely nature by us to given lessons many the of One surviving. for fighting while culty example of how to overcome diffi- This natural strategy is also a good ashes. the from rise to appear tion vegeta- soon and event wildfire plants a after the by place in are put mentioned above strategies natural these yet woods the tely comple- destroy might wildfire A can easilysproutafterawildfire. seeds) (pirophyte seeds fire resistant which (rockroses) family tus examples are bushes from the Cis- Clear wildfire. a after out disperse 89 GR-48Córdoba 90 GR-48Córdoba groves cultures mix with dense Mediterranean shrub until transforming until shrub Mediterranean dense with mix cultures groves Getting close to Adamuz village, the landscape starts to change and Olive ve atLosConventosCountryEstate. impressi- really become which mountains the of crests rocky the by ned crow- lands lower fertile the up cover groves Olive Mountains. Córdoba of Morena Sierra of heart the at reservoir, Guadalmellato the over views On the first section of the track, we will still have the chance to enjoy the supports verylowtraffic. for track ideal an road the and quite pleasantly is area is the since biking mountain or hiking This region. Córdoba of Guadalquivir High the to town Obejo connected which Abad Pedro Obejo- de Vereda as known track ancient an with completely almost matches track the of stage This ADAMUZ GUADALMELLATODAM- STAGE8 The GuadalmellatoDamandPeñasRubiasHillsatthebackground Difficulty: MIDEevaluation for anyoneonsoul-searching. area. isolated This and is also a place steeply of peace and this privacy especially for hermits on retreat and another to place a from moving past the in people for path this of importance the about us tell which features cultural excellent some with across come will We pastures. ancient into Herons are easilylocated atthetailends ofthereservoir. and Cormorants groves. Olive and slopes steep mount by surrounded sheet water the of views relaxing the enjoy still will sta- we track first the of this ge On left. our to waters reservoir the having path tarmac a take will We dam. the of edge the at off star will path the of section This to fishbytheshoresandin shadeofthetrees. forestry which is pretty much appreciated by many fishermen that come by the waters. Encircling the waters is a thick area of pine and eucalyptus covered almost is place the yet seen be can still merendero) XII’s fonso (Al- XII’ Alfonso de Merendero ‘El as known place viewpoint a of mains re- the and place the visited Spain, of King XII, Alfonso 1925, In name. In 1911 the Guadalmellato Reservoir was built over the river of the same ROUTEDESCRIPTION Time: 4hours Distance: 14,8km Finish: Adamuz Start: GuadalmellatoDam the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment:

Altitude (m) 100 200 300 400 500 0 0 rs e udlelt Adamuz Presa del Guadalmellato - 1 1 5 hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: 10 Distance (Km) Distance Suitability:

2 1 91 GR-48Córdoba 92 GR-48Córdoba Jesús RockatLosConventosCountryEstate le soilmadeupofredsandssupportingsomeOlivegroveson. rocky crests. Some foothills follow the sharply summits where a much ferti- quartzite the of because ground the into nail to difficult vegetationfinds substratum become evident. On the highest areas of the mount, the scarce into this natural environment, different shades and colours imposed by the Loba deeper get we As views. the enjoy to place Doña a is edge left the at House Alta The reservoir. the from away and up on continues route The ••• Grey Heron Km 3.8.AltodelosMorenosandtheRetamarejoCountryEstategate se bushesandheathers. undergrowth of Rockroses, gor- tinuous shrubby Mediterranean con- a nearby and rock the on marked clearly strata of layers seen be can road the by talus the At time. winter in colours pink soft and whites of shade a olive groves given to the slopes steep the spatter groves mond crests Al- Scattering predominant. are rocky mount quartzite the where of areas highest the to up extend groves Olive the right, the to slopes the On respectablemonks such San Francisco housed Solanoconvent the andenclave, evennatural isolated the this catholic in protected Well king1838. in of down closed and centuries five over active fully was place The century. XV the in people Mozarabic the to attached totally is convent the of history The and fullycommittedtohuntingpurposes. hunters among popular very Estate, Country Garciméndez the of lands as known Abby former a of ruins the remain still rocks the Between Jesús. de Roca La called is middle the in rock The meadow. Nava la de Prados the on standing rock of masses impressive three are These Rocks. ventos into bump will we route, en and, descends slightly track The ••• Km3.9.LaRocadeJesúsrockandLosConventosrocks broad pasturesahead. promising areas rocky the to ground gaining starts wood Mediterranean at point utmost its reaches track The walls andcrests. rocky impressive and shaped irregularly of that is rocks of type this from one of the harder minerals, contained in the rock. The landscape resulting mount showing a high resistance to erosion. This is because of the quartz, the of areas highest the at located are rocks quartzite ago), year of llions mi- (350 Age Primary the from rock of type a being of Despite rock. the to stuck scrub thick the to due see to difficult is texture dark rocks Some On the other side of the road are the are road the of side other the On Convent. Monte del Francisco San Pass from where the where from Pass Morenos Los Los Con- Los 93 GR-48Córdoba 94 GR-48Córdoba Wild Asparagusplant Three Thorns Acacia shrubs which is the border between the Asour walk progresses, we will see the continuous fence made of prickly tate maingate ••• nest leavingattheentryanunmistakablesign,somewhitefeathers. made adobe Swallows’ the into moves bird this fact, In nests. Swallows’ the ‘stealing’ on skilled very is it since behaviour singular its is bird this the fewer places within the Spanish territory. The most remarkable about in spotted be can that and areas Saharan sub the in winters bird passes that peculiar quite a is This Swift. White-Rumped the is others Among scarps. rocky these in living animals only the probably are prey of Birds defying theheightisonlyremainingfeatureofbuilding. ori- where mount the of ginallypinnacle themonasterythe to waslocated. up workA ofbricksgets onsemicircularthat rock archesthe on stairway SpainFelipe lodgedV the atAbby1624. in Themonks arduously carved a The Kestrelisabirdofopencountryandrockysites Km 7.7. San Francisco del Monte de los Conventos country es- country Conventos los de Monte del Francisco San 7.7. Km San Francisco change inthevegetationisjustasightofanotherlandscapehead. slight This entangled. get Honeysuckles which to Trees Terebinth and le enriched with species be of ‘noble undergrowth’ will such beautiful undergrowth Strawberry Trees, Myrt- the and down winds suddenly track The only ifwearehikingonthisareainspringtime. Spanish Lavenders. This is a good place for collecting Wild Asparagus, but Tree Mastic such hillside sunny the Mediterranean undergrowth comprising a good range of species proper of feature.Thetrack widens andalongside thetrack willwehave patches of landscape important most the become groves Olive above, said we As cess to ac- main the also is which estate country the of entry the by pass will We walls. inn which still has the hoops where horses used to be country fastened on typical the front a resembles which water-well a with shed former a track Spanish-Arabic race. We have already left behind and to the left side of the groves gaining ground to the dehesa where we olive willnew Again, road. seethe and someEstate Country Conventos horseslos de Monte ofdel the shrubby wood. A light green mantle of Black Pine groves spreads to the to spreads groves Pine Black of mantle green light A wood. shrubby Mediterranean the spattering front groves Pine in and Eucalyptus see of sea will a us We of now. different totally is environment natural The va’ jointsandmatchesupour track foralmosttwokilometres. Villlanue - a Córdoba de ‘Cordel as known pecuaria vía the point, this At ••• Km10.6.LaMecacountryestate access,TamujosoBrook A birdofMediterraneanshrubs:theGreatSpottedCuckoo Los Conventos rural accommodation named after the country estate. bushes, Gorses and and Gorses bushes, lentiscus) (Pistacia 95 GR-48Córdoba 96 GR-48Córdoba ños (people from Adamuz) because of the beauty of the place but also dam small a past, the In water. fresh collecting for place a was it because but place the of beauty the of because Adamuz) from (people ños Adamuce- the among area popular very a be to used this Nevertheless, heritage. Town Council aimed to enhance the village cultural and anthropological hascleverly mill This Mill. been included in the Gollizno a thematic route managed as and designed by the Adamuz known mill flour powered the Concejo Brook. By the brook still lasting the remains of a former water surrounding gardens of area an to up way the show that signs direction the to attention close pay will we However, end. to about is route the of section this that indicates town Adamuz of sight beautiful the distance, far so no the in and us of front In fields. farming on houses country ring scatte - by replaced is Trees Oaks of land pasture the where slope soft a Immediately after wading across the Parrosillo Brook, the track climbs up covered theareainpast. as known also is land pasture This weekenders. by behind left food of rest the for searching Magpies Azure-Winged of flocks large watch to rare not is It over. come locals when weekends the especially recreation, for popular ancient very area natural and a is beautiful This lavender. Moorish most of bushes by a cover dehesa into get will we up, follows track the As goes fromCórdobatowntoVillanuevadeCórdoba. that path ‘cordel’ the matches that path dirt a on front the to up walking on carry and left, the to U-turn a make will which road, countryside the leave will We vega. Guadalquivir the towards down leading right the to away continues sections, two last the following been have we that track about clear The be walk. our of must direction the we Here past. the in those of relevance the of ple exam- clear a is roads ancient and tracks paths, different of junction This ••• Km12.2.JunctionattheDescansaderodelaDehesaVieja its bigbrother,theTamujoBrook. up join will downstream and plain the through flows Brook Tamujosillo another to get to railings AVE the beneath passes and descending continues track The Owl. Tawny the of hoot creepy the to listen clearly will doubt, we night no at But Chaffinch. the to or Jay Eurasian the to listen least, at or, which birds forest watch may We coniferous. of masses nearby the in nesting are probably especially birdwatching, for section good a is This the entireplainindicateproximityofgroundwaterlevel. spattering Reeds addition, In riversides. brook the along all located hes bus- Tamarix and Tamujos comprising vegetation shrubby riverbank the where the Tamujoso Brook flows through. The name of the brook evokes plain fertile Puente La as known is skirt mountains the of area lower The AVE the railings startsinthisarea.Wewillavoiditthough. to parallel run occasionally that and town Córdoba de franca the towards right Dehesa del Pavo de la Viña la de Pavo del Dehesa of similar characteristics as the one before. Here the Here before. one the as characteristics similar of dehesa Spurs. Another route that leads up to Villa- to up leads that route Another Spurs. Sierrezuela Obejo – Pedro Abad, which is the is which Abad, Pedro – Obejo Vereda because of the many vineyards that vineyards many the of because that is into the village. This stage of the route finishes at the Plaza, the Plaza, the at finishes village mainsquare. route the of stage This village. the into is that Street Córdoba and road Obejo of junction the to us take will that track After crossing over the Concejo Brook, we will bear left and onto a paved the area andareveryinterestingfromananthropologicpointofview. in up stand still mill this of remains The mill. flour another to water the divert to order in course water the of point a in built was ‘azuda’ or an hf. culy te runner the Actually, shaft. main the by driven spindle, separate a the ‘volandera’, was mounted on the floor, while the runner stone, to fixed was ‘solera’, the called stone, bed The axle. an and nes millsto- big two comprised nism mecha- The flour. get to was ground was grain this the where floor, room the upper Located the room: on gristmill The • following sections: the in structured is Mill Gollizno the along found Concejo Brookriversides. be can they All sinks. water stone old and wheels ditches, irrigation such structures supporting of sort all also but mills water old just not are They heritage. cultural town the to structures related water of was considering adding this type Recently, Adamuz Town Council Morena. Sierra in courses water the many water structures of located by one just is It Adamuz. in water-powered flour mill located ••• Concejo BrookandtheWatermill A formermillstone usedforgrindinggrain h Glin Ml ws a was Mill Gollizno The be lessinterestingtothewalkers. might therefore and years recent in built were which gate sluice a and nor features such an irrigation ditch mi- others are There recently. quite until clothes the sluice to used ges villa- surrounding the from women where sink stone sandstone red a is one Another structure. original the of part keeps still which wheel its and well traditional a is them of One features. interesting other there are mill this of proximity the In some measureoffloodcontrol. and maintenance sluice allow of that gates system a by controlled was water ofpassage The grind. to it causing stone, runner the to then and shaft the to directlytransferred waspaddlewheel the onwater the ‘ála- bes’.The turning as force produced by known blades broad shaft intothisroomthewheretoled was came wheel the into built buckets the from water Thebuilding. the of ped room located on the lower floor • The carcavo: This was a dome sha- stone didthegrinding. 97 GR-48Córdoba 98 GR-48Córdoba Sunflower crops areverycommoninthevegaareas Montoro surrounding areas. in used partially are that and conditions good in still so- mehow is tracing which roads paved Roman ancient on walk also will We bank. opposite River Guadalquivir the to across go will we stage this On being temporarilyemployedinthefields. ments were established for housing the many seasonal labourers likely of settle- new Those basin. Guadalquivir the irrigation into putting the after settlement that were brought into place in the first half of the 20th century new many the of connected one is latter The municipalities. past Algallarin and Adamuz the in that path a matches track the of section first The ming stillisanimportantactivity. far- stock pigs and cattle where and stream small a by located are which also pass by some remnants of oaks pastures also known as ‘manchones’ groves olive will where we Nevertheless, features. main landscape the are fields irrigate and plains fertile through run will track the time Most range. mountain Morena Sierra the with hands shake to seems meander, large a into fitted river, the where Montoro in finishes stage the fact, In lands. plain fertile Guadalquivir the to closer us take will route the of stage This ADAMUZ-MONTORO STAGE9 Difficulty: MIDEevaluation dalquivir River. Gua- the of company inspiring always the of inducement the with fields fertile vega the to back us take definitively will route the of section This Via delaPlatamaintrack. nected the capital cities of Córdoba and Toledo and then to Madrid on the con- that route the on inns country many the of one as location strategic its to due site important relative a becomes place the when Ages Middle the in is it times, pas- prehistoric to back go Algallarin origins Adamuz Even lands. to ture connected that the track by former and a area is eastern This road. Adamuz CO-3102 at off starts track the of section This ROUTEDESCRIPTION Time: 4hoursand30minutes Distance: 15,6km Finish: Montoro Start: Adamuz

Altitude (m) the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment:

100 200 300 400 500 0 0 dmz-Montoro Adamuz- 1 1 5 hing theroute. accomplis- for required Struggle Struggle: Guidance on the route directions. Orientation: 10 Distance (Km) Distance Suitability: 15 2 1

99 GR-48Córdoba 100 GR-48Córdoba birds preying. these for good be to appear woods riverside leafy small where ronment envi- this to familiar quite also are Kites Black such prey of Birds cattle. the above and pastures oak the in food for looking birds those of flocks see will We Jackdaws. and Magpies such corvids for home is area This veolens). lonized by some Steppe Rockroses, Asparagus and Rue bushes (Ruta gra- co- are edges which orientated, farming stock pig mainly lands, pasture Oaks evergreen pleasant through go will We towns. Algallarín and muz Ada- connected that track former a matches on walking are we path The ••• Km1.4.LaMinaBrookpastureland king onthedirtpathtorightthatgetsintopasturelands. wal- on carry and road the leave will we There top. the on junction a to get to slope a up climb will track the Brook, Caño the across wading On and thepasturelandsareconsideredfirstrankruralwealthassets. ‘molinazas’ inthisregion.Thosemanmadestructuresboundingtheroad called sandstones red with mix rocks limestone where formations rock at the stone walls parapet on the left which is a good example of the area looking carefully to chance a have will we so and road countryside the on walking ourselves find will we section, this of beginning very the At Dry stonewallofredsandstonesknownas‘piedramolinaza’intheregion wheat is the most significant landscape feature of this section. These section. ofthis feature landscape significant most the is wheat as such cereal of cultures and groves Olive of made mosaic singular A ••• Km4.5.Algallarínfertileplain land some rainfedcropsnearbythe vega. path made of pebbles. After a soft climbing the path will take us closer to it dies. Nevertheless, we will carry on towards Algallarín village and on a where town Abad Pedro to later and Alcurrucéna towards heads it Then joins and thsouth ford. this at together join as known track the is them of One and come tracks and paths ancient Several which makesharderwadingacross,especiallyintherainseason. flow substantial quite a supports brook This though. riverbanks the over Alfalfa and cereals of plain fertile productive A breeding. cattle to committed fully lands pasture Oaks ancient of picture another to small brook where the Pedro up Gil Brook flows through.down Again, the goes that track main the on walking keep will We groves. After climbing up another slope, the landscape opens out extensive olive gales spreadtheirresonantsingingovertheseasonalstream. bles patches crowned by Poplar Trees and where Blackbirds and Nightin- Bram- of vegetation riparian of area small a supports brook The season. dry the in especially Brook, Mina the through wade to task big a not is It White Poplarleaveinclosedetail rc t cos vr h Gaaqii River. Guadalquivir the over cross to Track Barca La which runs nor - runs which Veredas las de Cordel (Medicago sativa) (Medicago spreads 101 GR-48Córdoba 102 GR-48Córdoba The remainsofthe formerbargeusedtogoacross theriver hout mostsectionsofthetrack. the lowest areas of this section, an irrigation ditch which is visible throug- at then, and path the of left the to Trees Eucalyptus and Pine of line a for look will we direction right the follow To meander. Guadalquivir the to leads and area southern village the by detour a makes that path dirt a to get to left the to turn will we then meters 300 about for road the on nue conti- will We suburbs. village’s the at road the with meet will path The ty totheriverbecomesimminent. countryside road as we get close to Algallarin village where the proximi- 20thcentury a becomes path the The irrigation. for canals and ditches are of lasting still and middle the by fields fertile irrigated became lands Irrigated fieldsalongbothsidesoftheGuadalquivirRiver fies therecentconnectionbetweenbothshoresinthissectionofriver. exempli- bridge this fact, In shore. opposite River Guadalquivir the to crosses This will be the first time during the entire route that our trail –the GR-48 track, ••• Km9.7.ThebridgeovertheGuadalquivirRiver bridge overtheriver. the towards and right bear will we roundabout the passing After trees. fruit and gardens between walking road Algallarín to back get will We tackle’s wire. between the and framework boat communicating the of remains the seen be can here for Still shores. way easier the was the to This place shore. this from opposite river the cross to used barge a 1950s, the to Up res andthenwewillgettoaplaceknownasElBarco. From thispointforwardwewillgetclosertotheGuadalquivirRiversho- irrigation the to Station. Forecasting Weather parallel Andalucia de Junta the aside leaving ditch, continue and road small a across go will We A bloomingWillow 103 GR-48Córdoba 104 GR-48Córdoba Lime rockoutcroppings the hand, other the On surface. rocks the on spotted be can urchins sea and shells as such organisms marine of remains petrified very The the riverbed. onto over spread and slopes the on outcrop rocks Limestone will practicallyoccupythissectionofourroute. which direction stream small a upwards following track new this on go Our path meets the Capillas Traditional Path by a gate to our left. We will ••• Km10.6.Capillastraditionalpath former track. throughanarea partly occupied quarrybya until left itmeets the with theCapillas to swing path thatrunsalongsidewill a on we Olivethegrovesand boundaries. drops road trackThegoes the bridge, the crossing after Just is theLomadelBarcoandotheroneAtalayuelasMill. two big country houses standing out Inin thethe distance,landscape whereare clearlythe hills’ spotted. slopes One steepen and stretch down into wood. the river, swampiestIn areasPoplar TreesandWillows arethebestexamples thisof quivirRiver does support ariverside wood Guadal- in the flow, quitethe along all However, mouth. river’s acceptablethe by especially rest, conservation. fo- riverside in-line of patches some sustains river the works, reservoir the of riverbedand the wall ofthe dam can bespotted onseconda plane. Inspite flowing down from the north is the Arenoso River joining up the Guadalquivir leaning ontheand, bridge bridge the rail, of spendmiddle the some in time just interpreting break short a themake environment.should We Upstream, sides of the track. The most important scrub on this section is Broom bus- and Redwings find protection and make their nests into the shrub on both environment. Many grove birds such Lesser Olive Whitethroats, Olivaceous Warblers monotonous the to diversity some brings track cattle This ped holesandsmallbasinsalongtheriverbed. sha- oddly creates waters running the by produced dilution calcareous San JosédeCapillas Manor 105 GR-48Córdoba 106 GR-48Córdoba ficance atthattime. Epora), (former Montoro which became a federated city of the Rome Empire acquiring great signi- approaching are we that forget not must We origin. Roman a have tracks paved these occasions many In pavement. the LesserKestrel Stone walls are home to many invertebrates which are ideal food for birds such as defined well a draw to manage boulders and Pebbles condition. better In thissectionthetrackitiswhereformerstonepavementremainsin the latticeworkonfrontcourt. behind Trees Orange of set a and Trees Palm two by guarded House try until the top of the hill where to the right is the follow the tracing. We will carry on walking by the row of Broom bushes to harder becomes it sometimes and hill the through up winds track The the to us leads which Capillas Hillhighestarea. rill the by and climb the over all spreading hes San Jose de Capillas Coun- side road by road side country- a on back go will we pavement where section stone lower the to ancient gets it before track the in delight take will We town. the of sight beautiful a walker the to open will end, the at which, path pleasant vered with Mediterranean undergrowth and oaks. This is a very quiet and and then rises up on a hillside and between dry stone walls plentifully co- bridge small a Country follows track new This Cantora track. busy less a the on take to Estate and track Capillas the both leaving left bear will we Here route. the of stage this of end the to close will we point, this At ••• Km13.18.LosBermejalespath Perfectly designedpavingonatraditionalpath et t se n te hl tw hs en elrd Hsoia and Historical a sandstone red declared The Site. been Artistic has town whole the and see to ments monu- historical interesting many are there since town, this in walking time some spend to chose may you end, an to come has stage the Even where thisstagefinishes. is which arena bullfighting the near town, Montoro enters that road the r parking area. From there, we will take on take will we there, From area. parking Mayor Huerta La mixed with whitewash with mixed molinaza) (piedra 107 GR-48Córdoba 108 GR-48Córdoba ie ciiis nldn siig p h Gaaqii Rvr n guided and walks betweenwaterwheelsanddams. River Guadalquivir the up sailing including activities time reover, the river proximity to the town facilitates a range of sport and free Mo- card. visiting best municipality the become has town the embracing river the of picture this singularity, and beauty particular its of Because town. the circling meander fitted River Guadalquivir the of view clear a afford that vantage-points many to up walker the take will that streets narrow steep sharply many are They centre. town the to character gives walls ot ie Rmn od were roads Roman times Most king ontothosepavedroads. wal- even of pleasure the take can we where surroundings ro Roman roads and, it is in Monto- still remain few sections of some Today minerals. of masses huge transporting for and purposes commercial for primarily were these and built was roads paved of network the of rest the that was only later in the occupation It tracks. unpaved existing llow the occupy area. For ease they tended to fo- to army an allow to were they and purposes gic strate- for inAndalusia were Romans the by built roads first The territory. Iberian the over all ••• Ancient Romanroads Ancient Ancient Roman roads spread many insect-eatingbirds. to myriapods and insects from cies spe- animal many for home ming nean undergrowth nails into beco- the platform where lush Mediterra- are walls made stones those To- day, cultures. nearby the passing tres- animals prevent to parapets made stone into borders roads old livestock years hundreds those transformed of moving regular The come to us as tracks of public uses. used have they so and moving were cattle for roads roman ancient those of most Ages, Middle the In nicipality. mu- Montoro in molinaza’ as ‘piedra known sandstones red teristic charac- the of paved are area the in paths roman of sections the by, Here- materials. local using paved the SierradeCardeñayMontoroNaturalPark. from area the in down flowing they all River Yeguas the and brooks mé of the route are the fluvial streams such as the Martín Gonzalo and Corco- stage this on features interesting many the enriches that value added An mills, wells,etc. but also in many wealth assets such landscape as bridges, the stone fences, farmhouses, in only not display molinaza) (piedra sandstones red the The skirt of Montoro Mountains is characterized by the reddish shades of jar Mountains. to get to the route pilgrimage as also but purposes moving cattle for only not molejo, This is the traditional road that connected both towns, Montoro and Mar- as known track famous another completely almost matches Track The Jaen. and Córdoba of provinces the connects that one the and province Córdoba in route our of last the is stage This MONTORO-MARMOLEJO STAGE10 Virgen de la Cabeza Sanctuary located in the Sierra de Andu- Cordel de las Vacas Bravas. Vacas las de Cordel 109 GR-48Córdoba 110 GR-48Córdoba Difficulty: MIDEevaluation * on theSierraMorenaMountains. roads ancient and tracks paths, old years hundred these of peculiarities vince of Córdoba and, at the end of the route, find yourself imbued of the We hope you enjoy this pleasant walk on this last stage through the pro- sections, formountainbiking. some on and riding horse walking, for suitable is trail the Nevertheless, surface. rocky a sometimes, and slopes descending and raising downs, is arelativeeasytrackwithmanyvariationsofthecross-section,upsand this length, its Despite shrub. dense the under hidden partially remains or disappear may it as tracing path the exactly determine to hard times the Even Time: 6hours Distance: 23km Spa Bath,Marmolejo Finish: RenaissanceBridgeand Start: Las DonadasBridge,Montoro Biking (nosuitableoneverysection)

the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment: Altitude (m) Track has its limits perfectly fix, it is some - is it fix, perfectly limits its has Track Vacas las de Cordel 100 200 300 400 500 600 0 01 20 15 10 5 0 otr Marmolejo - Montoro 2 2 the track. Difficulty in following Track Features: environment. Severity ofthenatural Enviroment: Distance (Km) Distance Suitability: 3 2

Traditional pavedpathneartheMartínGonzaloBrook Montoro. of town picturesque the remains it us behind Far rock. quartzite dark the on courses water temporary by made tracks the and groves Pine range shooting the between ascends track The road. A-3102 the matches rout the stage, first this On town. the to shores opposite the on located hood neighbour- Retamar the from road (A-3102) Rio del Villa We the Montoro. to get in will Bridge Donadas La at off starts route the of stage This ROUTEDESCRIPTION 111 GR-48Córdoba 112 GR-48Córdoba The Ventorrillode ChiriquiCountryhouse the missingordestroyedpiecesoftrackonsomesections. shame a is it Certainly, by. travelled once carriages and cavalries many which on road the off traces pebbles of work hard a and rock the on ved car- is track entire The masterpiece. proper a is road roman ancient This scattering PoplarTrees,spikyTamujosandOleanders. comprising variations flow to adapted well vegetation riverside scarce some supports one this area, the in brooks other many As village. small the Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro Natural Park and at the Venta del Charco of heart the at up springs which brook seasonal a is Gonzalo Martín The takes onapavedtrackthatclimbsuptotheleft. masonry. This is the point where the track ashlar moves away sandstone from the road red and with built bridge beautiful arch only one a is This ••• Km1.350.BridgeovertheMartínGonzaloBrook descending untilreachingthebridgeoverMartínGonzaloBroo continues track The smallholdings. and gardens of picture blurred a as us to opens valley Guadalquivir the road, N-420 the under passing After k. will go on a path that branches off right. The electricity tower and wires and tower electricity The right. off branches that path a on go will the as known road a on After passing the Palmilla Mill, we will bear left and walk some 50 meters located insidethetower. honeycombs the from wall stone dry the down dripping honey see will we joints tower the at carefully Looking remain. tower counterweight ne has been recently restored though only the buttress and the red sandsto- water millslocatedwithinthePalmillaBajaCountryEstatelimits.Themill the of one is path the of right the to hillside, the of top the reaching On country innknownasVentorrillodeChiriqui. former a be to used building The ashlars. and threshold made stone the of because out stands buildings those of One houses. country some and The paved track carries on ascending between Broom and Thyme bushes is an astonishing masterpiece of road engineering from the past: a set of set a past: the from engineering road of masterpiece astonishing an is thy for a short stop to contemplate the way the track fords the brook. This dergrowth to finally get to wade across the Rosines Brook. The site isun- wor- Mediterranean dense and thicker a through drops slightly track The toads choosethisplaceforlaying theireggsinthepool. and amphibians of sort all winter, rainy every on so, and function ginal ori- their fulfil scarcely pond small a circling trees Eucalyptus of patch A of Kermes Oaks, Italian Buckthorns the dry stone walls on both sides of the track we will see some specimens on and road paved pebbles the on walking delightfully themselves find makes a good hallmark to follow the right direction. Again the walker will The RosinesBrookFord that leads to the to leads that Encarná (Rhannus alaternus) and Myrtle bushes. . Then we Then Alta. Palmilla 113 GR-48Córdoba 114 GR-48Córdoba A restoredformer mill across tomanysignsindicatingwherethoseaccommodationsare. come will We nowadays. accommodations rural into turned them of some Olivegrovescontainstraditionalandthe ofmany pressingformill olives, of land plain large a over extends Nava la de Pago El divided. are Mountains Montoro which in districts rural the are ‘Pagos’ Nava. la de Pago El In grated inte - fully groves Olive of plateau a into get will we progresses, walk the As viewing-point withartistichand-railings. a as enabled was once which tower counterweight beam mill’s the tion of its beautiful and elegant red sandstone masonry. It will keep our atten- of Iris flowers and Bamboo Canes. The Simona facade stands out because the garden and under the two lines of Palm Trees they are good examples and on a garden area well delimited by a beautiful latticework grating. In house the of front the at located Trees Palm Washingtonians high some Country House. The building is Simona easily spotted from La the distance thanks impressive to the attention our keep will road the of side a On ••• Km4.LaSimonacountryhouse parallel tothemainroaduntilitgetsSimonacountryhouse. up follow will track The direction. right the mark which walls stone dry hind the ancient paved road yet on both sides of the track still prevail the be- leave will we Sadly, 9. kilometre the at road A-3102 it the until with meets continues track the Brook, Rosines the across wading after Just natural rowsofTamujos. rocky slabs perfectly anchored in the riverbed and semi hidden between mains oftheJarruñaGardenstorunparallelMembrilloBroo re- the aside leaving right, the to turn degrees 90 a makes track the and through thicker and lush undergrowth. Ahead are the After passing by the Molino de la Nava, the tarmac track starts descending •••Km 7.Jarruñavegetablegardens original traditional featuresofthebuildingsinthisregion. the kept it yet restored was building the that is place quality a This cottage is classified as top category. One of the reasons why is such towards up on heads now track road countryside The Nuevas Millanddecoratingthesitearetwobulkymillstones. the of front In inn. country traditional famous a was to us take will scrub, with surrounded track, The Nava. La Molino commodations ac- rural the to takes that path asphalted the on take will we and placed are indications those of many where cross a to get will we Eventually, Strange shapescarved intotheTriassic‘Bunter’conglomerates , a small cluster of country houses where once where houses country of cluster small a Nuevas, Puertas San Juan de Puertas de Juan San La Roza Alta slopes Molino de la Nava. la de Molino k. 115 GR-48Córdoba 116 GR-48Córdoba perfect complement totheirfoodhabits. sed themselves in this area where they have water and many fruit trees, a plea- Magpies Azure-Winged noisy of flocks large addition, In animals. wild aquatic for oasis an be to appear that time summer in ponds lated iso- of set a into turns which brook the to look a have to want may We will crosssomecountrygates thatwillremainclosedbehindus. We Brook. Corcome the to parallel running upstream goes and mitage her- Fuensanta the against direction opposite the on continues track The ••• Km8.7.SevillaGardensentry houses andgardens. country through vega the toward down drop to will get that finally path concrete to a track tarmac the to back come then and ahead meters 600 about walk to have will we hermitage, this visit to want we If lley. two Va- Corcomé the in pilgrimage the celebrating the town the of funders saint of one worship to come Montoro, from especially region, the U-turn a from people April, make of Sunday last will The hermitage. Fuensanta track the towards the Again land. plain fertile its and Valley ok Just when the track is about to end, we will bump into the Corcomé Bro- Nuestra SeñoradelaFuensantaHermitage areas suchtheEagle-Owl. the rocks. This is also a good section for watching birds that live in rocky to stuck lichens the of colour yellowish the of because also but shapes odd and size outstanding their of because just no attention walker’s the keep will concrete, stony of type a by formed rocks, bulky Those Bunter. the of conglomerates the are They bushes. the beneath from emerging walls rocky between descending ourselves find will we and stream the by slopes the up covering be will Trees Olive Wild and Rockroses Soon long period of heavy rains. If that is the case, we will have to look for look to have another betterareatowadeacrossthebrookorevengetbackthe will we case, the is that If rains. heavy of period long a on especially up, levels flow the sometimes usual; very not is it Even We will soon get to a ford where it will be easier wade across the brook. reddish rocks tellusabouttheerosivefunctiononredsandstone. bed, river the On widen. flow the where areas those on Trees Poplar and Osiers Oleanders, Tamujos, comprises vegetation riverside intervals; it brings life into the valley and relieves summer’s dryness. The at goes and comes flow brook’s The indicators. rain highest province’s the registered are which Park, Natural Montoro y Cardeña de Sierra the the at out springs Brook Corcomé The resting and it is known as the Misto. We will take on the main track to track main the on take will We Misto. the as known is it and resting livestock and shepherds for used been traditionally has area The sroad. cros- a at indications the to alert be will we shore, opposite the on Once A pricklyspinybush:theTamujo (Flueggea tinctoria) , at the heart of heart the at Españares, de Alto 117 GR-48Córdoba 118 GR-48Córdoba rros Trackshortly beforejoiningtheA-3101road atthekilometre4. Soon we will reach the top of the hill where the path meets with Matape- and wewillhave towalkonthenearbyolive grove. difficult to follow because of the dense undergrowth covering the tracing turns path the track, this of sections some At erosion. on water by scarved land cracks the many the to due it on walk to harder is it and stony becomes surface road The direction. right the into get to us for referent Corvids preferredhabitatincludes openfields good a are tracing thalweg the up follow that walls stone dry of nants The path bears right yet we will continue ahead up to the front. The rem- the hollowsandfissuresofwallsfornesting. which are a perfect site for birds such Kestrels and the Jackdaws that use the of remnants blurred the are slopes opposite the on north, the To hills. right the on name same the of house country the with the up, climbs track the As giving asensationoffreshnesstothissection. humid environment favours the growing of Moss and Ferns on the rocks, and young Oaks, and in winter time a startled of fluttering Thrushes. This Trees Olive Wild have will we path the of sides both On path. concrete a on and walls stone dry between walking ourselves find will we Again ••• Km10.69.BlancoHermosoravine del Novillo,anotherpagoofMontoroMountains. and then bear left into a concrete path. This way we will enter the Charco Vacas Bravas Track. We will continue on that track for another 500 meters, the right opposite to the brook so we will back again on the Valley opens in front of us of front in opens Valley Hermoso Blanco Mill Vieja Escalera Cordel de las ther. Along both sides of the path there is a lushly undergrowth of of undergrowth lushly a is there path broom andMastic Tree(Pistacialentiscus). the of sides both Along ther. ano- then and way one first sharply winds and drops abruptly path theas hiking for suitable only is route the of section This areas. ding surroun- River Guadalquivir the towards descend to starts path The across go will we There the road. collection. matches asparagus and wild of right lovers bears among popular very track is which area the parking large a to road, get we until road the A-3101 the to getting On ••• Km12.ElJondillocountrystate A FingerPointerattheendofMataperrosPath 119 GR-48Córdoba 120 GR-48Córdoba side groves,can beheardinthespringnights. areas. surrounding fresh Ivy climbing on them. Nightingales, so abundant in these river- river the reach will Here the vegetation comprises patches of Poplar and we Ash- Trees with rocks, sandstone red blocks huge of between route, descending abrupt this negotiating After original millandthechurch yet botharetotallyabandonedtoday. theboth of remains the prevail still which in building century the 18th a groves, is This Olive spotted. be hardly can between manor impressive and Lelis de Camilo ground San scrub. reddish the resistant on most a right, the support To scarcely hills steepest Córdoba The of lands Jaen. the and out marking clearly works meander, River fitted and deep Guadalquivir a The breathtaking. are here from views The Blooming RoughBindweedplant north. on southern regions as their normal distribution areas are those up in the frequent very no are which freightage pyramidal of shrubs or trees are Junipers plain. slimy this on spotted be can Juniper of specimens tered scat- Some overlooked. be cannot site this on feature natural precious A that soon willbefused. shades waters different of range a producing together mix waters rivers’ two the where path the from with see can We meets River. Guadalquivir River the Yeguas e where point the to come already have We ••• Km14.55.TheYeguasRivermouth bed andthatmakesthelimitswithnearbyOlivegroves. look for a former irrigation ditch which is located parallel to the river- Once we get to the boundaries of the fluvial fertile plain land, we will The PricklyJuniper 121 GR-48Córdoba 122 GR-48Córdoba a factor to bear in mind on the following section when we will wade will we when through theriver section following the on mind in bear to factor is a This 5ºC. some down drop to temperature water the makes also but is water released However, for irrigation purposes in water. summer which increases any the river flow carries scarcely river the time, winter In level. flow the adjust to Dam Yeguas the is it upstream kilometres few A Oleander flowers risk, OleandersandAsh-Trees. Tama- comprising vegetation exuberant with up packed are shores river The flow. water the of action the by polished be to appear that slate of bed and emerging from beyond the water sheet they are some big blocks on a path that bears left and runs parallel to the Yeguas River. In the river We will leave the Guadalquivir River companion by now to go upstream opens upinfrontofthetrack. groves Olive of land plain large new a hill, the of top the reaching On fragrant plantssuchrosemaryandMasticThymebushes. some are borders track the By hillside. the in growing are Trees Poplar located on the riverbank. The place is so humid that some vegetation and around the walker. Some Sarsaparillas climb up some White Poplar Trees whirl birds little of flocks where oasis green this through climbing sant plea- a is This path. the of sides both covering vegetation excellent and Oaks Kermes and Lentisco of undergrowth dense with thalweg a is This parallel totheCañueloBrookValley. up climb will it There left. the on valley the towards uphill heading trees into Poplar White of ourselves patch a through way find its makes track The will province. Jaen we point, this at river the through wade we If the riverandtowardsMarmolejotown. across go that dam the by road the to get to side river the by on further the high flow, we should carry on walking upstream another 3 kilometres of because river the fording for unable were we If territory. Jaen into get This is the point of the route where after fording the Yeguas River we will ••• Km16.38.LaCharcaGrandeford of the Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro Natural Park in the background. This background. the in Park Natural Montoro y Cardeña de Sierra the of a breathtaking sight of the Yeguas Reservoir water sheet and the foothills enjoying walker the allows which climbing beautiful a after point this to come have We road. countryside the to connects track the point this At ••• Km17.60.Connectiontothe A-420road Great quantityofaromaticplantsandherbsalongthepath 123 GR-48Córdoba 124 GR-48Córdoba road. This is an area with many water springs and fountains on both sides serpentine this of end the at again sight the on is Vega Guadalquivir The commercialization. water its of because famous very is it and boundary Estate Country this horse to committed breading exclusively and olive groves farm management. a is This road. the of side left the on interest our keep will farmhouse the and Estate Country Ecijano The in landscape. town the in out standing houses white town’s the and distance the Marmolejo spot soon will walker the progresses, walk the As one sincethetrackdescendsdowntoGuadalquivirVega lands. easy very a is track the of section last this Nevertheless, border. groves olive the on walk can we side, road the on walking avoid To town. lejo Marmo- towards road the to parallel and right the to continues track Our Olive groveswhichproduceworldwiderecognisedtopquality oil. the and sandstone red the are they hand, other the On province. the in of one of the most historically and geographically acknowledged regions taste the about brings farming stock traditional where pastures large and of the park. On one hand it is the granite landscape comprising paddocks rena Cordobesa. This peculiarity enhances the natural and cultural values nicipalities located in two different regions: Los Pedroches and Sierra Mo- This protected natural area stretches within the limits of two different mu- such theIberianLynx,WolfandSpanishImperialEagl species animal endangered some for habitat preferred the is Valley guas Ye- The Córdoba. of province the within Oaks Pyrenean of patch single the supports which Park leafy Natural the of This section small a park. in grow especies the of jewel the doubt without is pyrenaica) (Quercus ‘rebollo’ or Oak Pyrenean The Mountains. Morena Sierra in areas vation conser- best the of one symbolizes hectares 40.000 some of Park Natural background The YeguasReservoirandtheSierradeCardeñayMontoroNaturalParkin La Paz water spring is located by e. by thefamousMarmolejospabath. located Bridge Renaissance gorgeous the at end an to comes stage This Socialistas fountainisaverypopularone. Los located. are areas picnic and recreation many where and river the of Renaissance BridgeinMarmolejotown ger in use. A few olive oil mills oil olive few A use. in ger lon- not are they yet equipment and mechanism the kept have mills these of Most features. nic architecto- singular and original and many of them still keep ashlars their sandstone red on built were structures peculiar Those pment. the first element for rural develo- many centuries been considered for has building countryside of type this Therefore area. the in rooted deeply are groves Olive region. country Montoro in res featu- landscape singular most ••• Olive OilMillsinSierradeMontoro Olive Oil Mills are one of the asv mlsoe; n o them of two one millstones; comprised massive equipment The press. the and crusher, or mill nut the of consisted building The nal. traditio - quite was ‘factories’ in these employed technique pressing of type The material. solid the from water vegetation and oil liquid the separate to olives the to pressure applying by works Press Olive An manor. rich owners’ the and house kers’ wor- the cellar, oil an warehouse, different of the room, store the cluster such buildings a was there mill oil olive the Around though. recently quite until working were 125 GR-48Córdoba 126 GR-48Córdoba ‘capachos’. called disks fiber the down sing pres- for used is resistance lever the then and, ‘quintal’ the of end the to applied is power effective nut, helical of sort a ‘husillo’, the With stone. massive kilos 2000 a ‘quintal’, the from force opposing the offsets that axis the is tower The walls. counterweight tower ofthe one into fitted shaft wo- oden long a is This degree. ding grin- second the of principle the on based is mechanism The of mill. type ancient most the is This • Leverpressmill and thetowerpressmill. the to mill press lever the position: shaft according mill oil olive of types different two are There the disks. of sides the down run was water percolation, of speed the increase To down. pressed and into press the placed then other, each of top on stacked were which chos) (capa- disks fiber hemp of layers The resulting paste was spread on olive paste using large millstones. bed (‘empiedro’ or molino) into an First the olives were ground in the working withanimaltraction. stone mobile shaped cone a was San CamilodeLelisMill Foto prensa molino very popular. became they where area Mountain of mill soon spread over in Montoro type This ‘capachos’. of layers with made pile a of top on hea- weight viest a locate to used mechanism tem became very popular. This new sys- pressing innovative and new a century 19th the of middle the By • Towermill Lelis manor. de Camilo San and point; vantage a upper floor has been converted into which house country Simona Casería la de the Mill; Baja Palmilla the are counterweight examples good Some route. 48 those towers on the last section of the GR- of to across come some will walker The the building. of out projects and room pressing the with angle right a forms tower stout solid makes rectangular This sense. tower counterweight the which from idea the exactly is That earth’. the move will I and stand, to place a me ‘Give lever: the of ked remar- have to said is Archimedes Paraje LosConventos(camino AdamuzaObejo) • HOTELCORTIJOLOSCONVENTOS(RuralHotel) C/ Concejo,4y6 • HOSTALSANANDRÉS(GuesthouseHostel) Montes Comunales • CASARURALELROMERO(Cottage) Montes Comunales • CASARURALELQUEJIGO(Cottage) Montes Comunales • CASARURALELMADROÑO(Cottage) Montes Comunales • CASARURALLASRATOSILLAS(Cottage) Montes Comunales • CASARURALLASADELFAS(Cottage) C/ Almona,3 • APARTAMENTOSRURALESMOLINOALMONA(RuralApartments) ••• Accommodation ADAMUZ USEFULINFORMATION 957 630286 14430 Adamuz 957 166238 14330 Adamuz 957 166002 14430 Adamuz 957 166002 14430 Adamuz 957 166002 14430 Adamuz 957 166002 14430 Adamuz 957 166002 14430 Adamuz 957 167174 14430 Adamuz 127 GR-48Córdoba 128 GR-48Córdoba LOS MOCHOS LA TABERNA CUEVAS BAJAS ••• Restaurants HOTEL SANLUIS(RuralHotel) AL-MUDAWAR CAMPING MUNICIPALLABREÑA(CampingSite) ••• Accommodation ALMODÓVAR DELRÍO C/ SanAndrés,10 RESTAURANTE ELCHAPARRO ••• Restaurants Plaza delaConstitución,3 OFICINA TURISMO ••• Touristoffice 14720 Almodóvar delRío Ctra. Palmadel Río,Km.17 957 713684 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Antonio Machado,nº24 957 715256 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Camino delasCuevasdelGuerra,s/n 957 635421 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Ctra. PalmadelRíoCórdoba,km.21 605 085616 14720 AlmodóvardelRío La Barca,18 957 338333 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Finca LaBreña 957 167143 14430 Adamuz 957 166002 14430 Adamuz VIAJES DESKONEKTA.COM ••• Travelagency OFICINA MUNICIPALDETURISMOALMODÓVAR DEL RÍO ••• Touristoffice PARQUE ACUÁTICO(aquaticpark) LOS LLANOS TABERNA DELCASTILLO SAN LUIS RESTAURANTE VICTORIA RESTAURANTE ELCASTILLO PEPE LUIS 957 635480 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Carretera delaEstación,5 957 635014 14720 AlmodóvardelRío ABC, 7 957 635558 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Ctra. AlmodóvardelRío,Km.23 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Ctra. PalmadelRío,Km.21 957 634055 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Castillo deAlmodóvar,s/n 957635421 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Ctra. PalmadelRío,Km.21 957 713363 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Ctra. Estación,km.48 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Paraje LasPalvas 957 713616 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Vicente Aleixandre,nº3 129 GR-48Córdoba 130 GR-48Córdoba C/ RamónyCajal,4 RESTAURANTE ANDALUCÍA ••• Restaurants C/ JuanCarlosI,2 HOSTAL JUANCARLOSI(GuesthouseHostel) Ctra. delaEstación,Km.3. ALBERGUE RURALESTACIÓNDEESPIEL(RuralHostel) C/ RamónyCajal,9 HOSTAL ANDALUCÍA Ctra. Badajoz-Granada,Km.240. HOSTAL ELCRUCE(GuesthouseHostel) ••• Accommodation ESPIEL XTREME ANTALA GESTIÓNDEPORTIVA ACTIVE ANDALUCÍA ••• ActiveTourism 957 363288 14220 Espiel 957 363277 14220 Espiel 14220 Espiel 957 736098 14220 Espiel 957 367233 14220 Espiel 957 635437 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Rosario, 5 635421334 14720 AlmodóvardelRío 957635 008 14720 AlmodóvardelRío Rosario, 5 CASA RURALLASPIEDRECITAS (Cottage) CASA RURALELREFUGIO(Cottage) CASA RURALELMELOJOI(Cottage) CASA RURALELÁLAMO(Cottage) ••• Accommodation HORNACHUELOS Active TourismINTERNATURA ••• ActiveTourism RESTAURANTE ELCRUCE RESTAURANTE ELBODEGÓN 957 367000 Ctra. Badajoz-GranadaKm.240 RESTAURANTE ELMESÓN 957 640178 14740 Hornachuelos Avd. delGuadalquivir,44 957 714640 14740 Hornachuelos C/ ElCantueso,1 957 640629 14740 Hornachuelos Plza. delaConstitución,15 957 640147 14740 Hornachuelos Ctra. Comarcal,141,Km7,5. 606 321990 14220 Espiel Ctra. delaEstación,Km.3 957 367075 14220 Espiel Ctra. Córdoba-Almadén,Km39 957 363589 14220 Espiel Polígono IndustrialElCañoI,17 14220 Espiel 131 GR-48Córdoba 132 GR-48Córdoba CASA RURALMATÍAS(Cottage) CASA RURALMAJADAALTA(Cottage) CASA RURALLATORRE(Cottage) CASA RURALLASIERRA(Cottage) CASA RURALLAALMARJA(Cottage) CASA RURALHUERTADELASMAYAS(Cottage) CASA RURALELPINAR(Cottage) CASA RURALELBOSQUE(Cottage) CASA RURALRETAMALES(Cottage) CASA RURALDELASCADENAS(Cottage) 957 640752 14740 Hornachuelos C/ Escalonias,s/n 957 640303 14740 Hornachuelos Ctra. PalmadelRío,Km.2 957 640677 14740 Hornachuelos C/ CaminoSanBernardo,21 957 640661 14740 Hornachuelos C/ LaHiguera,4 616 418772 14740 Hornachuelos Ctra. PalmadelRío,s/n 629 509079 14740 Hornachuelos Pasaje HuertadelasMayas,s/n 957 714586 14740 MesasdelGuadalora(Hornachuelos) C/ Diagonal,1 957 640593 14740 LaAlmarja(Hornachuelos) Finca Baltaures 957 640327 14740 Hornachuelos Ampliación deRetamales,Parcela17-C 676 001412 14740 Hornachuelos C/ PíoXII,1 OFICINA MUNICIPALDETURISMO DEHORNACHUELOS •••Tourist office AGENCIA DEVIAJESHORNACHUELOSTRAVEL •••Travel agency PENSIÓN LASESCALONIAS(RuralLodging) PENSIÓN ELKIOSCODELOSÁNGELES(RuralLodging) PENSIÓN EMI(RuralLodging) HOSTAL ELÁLAMO(RuralHostel) CASA RURALVILLAMÓNICA(Cottage) CASA RURALPUERTADELAVILLA(Cottage) CASA RURALMIRADORDELAALAIDIA(Cottage) 957 640786 14740 Hornachuelos Ctra. SanCalixto,s/n 957 641258 14740 Hornachuelos C/ Castillo,97BajoDerecha 957 714578 14740 Hornachuelos Las Escalonias 957 640430 14740 Hornachuelos Explanada ElKioscos/n(Ctra.SanCalixto) 957 640098 14740 Hornachuelos Avd. Guadalquivir,4 957 640476 14740 Hornachuelos Ctra. Comarcal,141,Km.7,5 626 409937 14740 LaAlmarja(Hornachuelos) C/ LaAlmarja,1 645 537075 14740 Hornachuelos C/ DoctorFleming,12 957 640039 14740 Hornachuelos Crta. SanCalixto.Km.1 133 GR-48Córdoba 134 GR-48Córdoba MOLINA DEMESÍAS(Cottage) MOLINO LANAVA(MillCottage) CASA MAIKA(Cottage) MOLINO SANJUAN(MillCottage) MOLINO DEVIENTO(MillCottage) CORTIJO LACOLORÁ(Cottage) HOSTAL RESTAURANTEMONTORO(Hostel) HOTEL MOLINAPLAZA(Hotel) HOTEL MIRADORDEMONTORO(Hotel) •••Accommodation MONTORO 957 160802 14600. Montoro Ctra. antiguaMontoro-Cardeña, km12. 957 336041 14600 Montoro Camino delMembrillo,s/n. 957 160273/636035552 14600 Montoro Salazar, 21. 957 176246 14600 Montoro Paraje LaTorrecilla,s/n. 957 336386 14600 Montoro Fuensanta deMontoro 957 336077 14600 Montoro Ctra. AdamuzMontoro,km9. 957 160792 14600 Montoro Ctra. Madrid-Cádiz,km358. 957 336090 14600 Montoro Cta. N-420,km56.4. 957 165105 14600 Montoro Cerro delaMuela. VIAJES HALCÓN •••Travel agencies OFICINA MUNICIPALDETURISMOMONTORO BESA DELALTOGUADALQUIVIR CENTRO DEINICIATIVASTURÍSTICASLACOMARCACORDO- •••Tourist office LA PRIMERA EL CAMIONERO RESTAURANTE CORTIJOLACOLORÁ RESTAURANTE BELSAY EL RISQUILLO •••Restaurants 957 160276 14600 Montoro Cervantes, 54 957 160089 14600 Montoro Corredera, 25 957 161484/160500 14600 Montoro Plaza deJesús,11 957 160223 Montoro Avda. DoctorFleming,s/n 957 160324 14600 Montoro Crta.Madrid -Cádiz,km357 957 336077 14600 Montoro Ctra. Adamuz-Montorokm9 957 162591 14600 Montoro Plaza delCharco,20 957 160626 14600 Montoro N-420, Cardeña-Montorokm52 135 GR-48Córdoba 136 GR-48Córdoba EL OLMO(Cottage) •••Accommodation POSADAS RESTAURANTE LAX •••Restaurants CASA RURALELMÉDICO(Cottage) CASA RURALLASTINAJAS(Cottage) •••Accommodation OBEJO SIERRA MORENAECUESTRE QUIVIROCIO LYNXAIA •••Active Tourism 957 630233 14730 Posadas Diseminado 521,comunidadMorales 957 350188 14310 Obejo C/ Carretera,29 686 892064 14310 Obejo C/ Almocara,11y13 957 472185 14310 Obejo C/ Cerrillo,52 607 435578 14600. Montoro Huerta delzorros/n 620 536416 14600. Montoro. Cañete delasTorres,2. 957 335301 14600. Montoro Corredera, 35. HOTEL LAMELCHORA HOTEL MARÍA AZAIT (Cottage) RIVERO RURAL(Cottage) MANOLÍN (Cottage) LA SIERREZUELA(Cottage) LA SALUD(Cottage) LA ALAMEDA(Cottage) HACIENDA LATORRE(Cottage) EL PINAR(Cottage) 957 630173 14730 Posadas María Auxiliadora,nº2 957 630000 14730 Posadas Ctra. PalmadelRío,km.31,5 629 846652 14730 Posadas Plaza delaConstitución,7 14730 Posadas La Salud,20 667 258408 14730 Posadas Paraje Murales,2 957 101630 14730 Posadas Polígono 17parcela91 629 638670 14730 Posadas Finca LaSalud 957631198 14730 Posadas Camino Campillos,s/n 957 338082 14730 Posadas Carretera PosadasaVillaviciosa,km.10 957 631198 14730 Posadas Camino Campillos,s/n 137 GR-48Córdoba 138 GR-48Córdoba YAMUZA TRAVEL NATURA SIERRA CENTRO INICIATIVASTURÍSTICASVEGADELGUADALQUIVIR •••Travel agencies Tourist officeDEPOSADAS •••Tourist office SIERRA NEVADA ROGELIO LAS POSADASDELREY(MESONRURAL) LA ESQUINA ALBAIDA •••Restaurants 618 194603 14730 Posadas Hernández deSantiago,55 957 630947 14730 Posadas Las Mohedass/n 957 630877 14730 Posadas Plaza delosPósitos,1 957 630378 14730 Posadas Plaza delosPósitos,nº3 957 631904 14730 Posadas Avda. MaríaAuxiliadora,nº2 957 630015 14730 Posadas Avda. MaríaAuxiliadora,S/Nº 957 630925 14730 Posadas Mesones, 4 957 630720 14730 Posadas Fernández Santiago,53 957 630965 14730 Posadas Avda. Andalucía,s/n LA ENCINA 14011 Córdoba Ctra. Trassierra,km.9 EL CRUCE CASA PEREA EL CANDIL2 •••Restaurants HOTEL VILLADETRASSIERRA EL QUEJIGO(Cottage) LA JAROSA(Cottage) Ctra. Córdoba-Villaviciosa,s/nº HACIENDA LASGAMONOSAS(Cottage) •••Accommodation SANTA MARÍADETRASSIERRA 14730 Posadas Avda. SoldevillaVázquez,11Bajo VIAJES GALACOR 957 283303 14011 Córdoba Ctra. Trassierra,km.10 957 411283 14011 Córdoba Córdoba, nº18 957 492125 14011 Córdoba Avda. MenéndezPidal,s/nº 957 485472 14011 Córdoba C/ Laencina,s/n 606 126431 14011 Córdoba Ctra. Córdoba-Villaviciosa,km.19 957 330800 14011 Córdoba Urbanización ElSalado 957 330800 14011 Córdoba 139 GR-48Córdoba 140 GR-48Córdoba HUERTA DELPASIL(Cottage) LA LAGUNA(Cottage) •••Accommodation VILLANUEVA DELREY SANTA ELISADEVILLAHARTA •••Restaurants VILLA NEMESIO FUENTE AGRIA CASA GALA •••Accommodation VILLAHARTA 957 330000 Ctra. Trassierra,km.10,700 LOS ALMENDROS 957 589321 14230 VillanuevadelRey Cta. VillanuevadelRey-Fuenteobejuna 957 337011 14230 VillanuevadelRey Ctra. provincial16km.1,7 605 912064 14210 Villaharta Polígono LaNava,parcela2 957 722055 14210 Villaharta Acceso SolanadelPeñon,1 600 204428 14210 Villaharta Balneario deFuenteAgria 957 277060 14210 Villaharta Avda. deAndalucía,nº24 14011 Córdoba LA MOLINADECAMPANA (Cottage) EL ROMERITO(Cottage) ABUELO MARTÍN(Cottage) EL POLEO(Cottage) SIERRA MORENA(Cottage) •••Accommodation VILLAVICIOSA DECÓRDOBA RESTAURANTE MUNICIPAL EL COTO CAFE ESPAÑOL •••Restaurants 606 883192 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Polígono 33,parcela20 957 479653 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Finca LaTejera–Ctra.CO-110,km.22 654 056492 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Córdoba, 48 957 360300 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Ctra. CO-110Villaviciosa-Córdoba,km.33,5 957 360674 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Ctra. deCórdoba,s/n 957 589001 14230 VillanuevadelRey Carretera provincial,16 957 492166 14230 VillanuevadelRey C/ Moral,1-3 957 589077 14230 VillanuevadelRey Real, 9 141 GR-48Córdoba 142 GR-48Córdoba AVENTURAS PUENTENUEVO •••Active Tourism ILUSIÓN AL-ANDALUS •••Restaurants PUENTE NUEVO(Cottage) CORTIJO DECAMAMA(Cottage) CASA MIRABUENOS(Cottage) PUERTO CARRETAS(Cottage) 957 360727 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Cta. A-433,km.8,5 957 360532 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba C/ TomásCarretero,9 957 360002 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Tomás Carretero,nº18 957 360021 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Parque forestaldePuenteNuevo,km.8,5 616 408873 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Polígono 33,parcela41-d 957 360434 14430 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Finca Mirabuenos 957 360760 14300 VillaviciosadeCórdoba Paraje PuertoCarretas,s/n Sarsaparilla (Smilaxaspera) Rue (Rutagraveolens) Rosemary (Rosmarinusofficinalis) Rockrose (Cistusladanifer) Reed (Juncussp.) Prickly Pearcactus(Opuntiaficus-carica) Portuguese orSpikeLavender (Lavandulalatifolia Medicus) Palmetto (Chamaelophumilis) Osier (Salyxpurpurea) Oleander (Neriumoleander) Myrtle (Mirtuscommunis) Moss Montpelier Rockrose(Cistusmonspeliensis) Mastic tree(Pistacealentiscus) Mastic thyme(Thymusmastichina) Lychen Lily /Iris Juniper (Juniperusoxicedrus) Jerusalem Sage(Phlomispurpurea) Ivy (Hederahélix) Honeysuckle (Loniceraimplexa) Heather (Ericaarbórea) Hawthorn (Crataegusmonogyna) Greasy Rockrose(Cistusladanifer) Gorse (Genistairsuta) Germander (Teucriumchamaedrys) French Lavender(Lavándulamultifolia) Fern Durillo (Viburnumtinus) Daffodil (Narcissussp.) Common Sage(Salviaofficinalis) Common Hawthorn(CrataegusmonogynaEhr.) Butcher’s broom(Ruscusaculeatus) Broom (Retamasphaerocarpa) Bramble (Rubusulmifolius) Blackberry (Morussp.) Asparagus (Asparagusacutifolia) Alfalfa (Medicagosativa) Aladierno (Rhannusalaternus) •••The plantsworld FLORA LISTOFSPECIES 143 GR-48Córdoba 144 GR-48Córdoba Fox (Vulpesvulpes) Egyptian Mongoose (Herpestesichneumon) Deer (Cervuselaphus) Common Genet(Genettagenetta) •••Mammals THE ANIMALWORLD Willow Tree(Salixalba) Wild OliveTree(Oleaeuropeasilvestris) Wild IberianPearTree(Pyrusbourgaeana) White Poplar(Populusalba) Pyrenean Oak(Quercuspyrenaica) Portuguese Oak(Quercusfaginea) Pine Tree(Pinuspinea) Palm Tree(Palmsp.) Orange Tree(Citrussinensis) Oak (QuercusroburL.) Kermes Oak(Quercuscoccifera) Honeylocust (GleditsiatriacanthosL.) Holm Oak(Quercusilex) Hazel Tree(Corylusavellana) Fig Tree(Ficuscarica) European Hackberry/LoteTree(Celtisaustralis) Eucalyptus Tree(Fraxinusexcelsior) Elm Tree(Ulmusminor) Elder Tree(Sambucusniger) Cork Oak(Quercussuber) Chestnut Tree(Castaneasativa) Carob Tree(Ceratonniasilicua) Black PoplarTree(Populusalba‘Bolleana’) Black PineTree(Pinusnigra) Ash Tree(Fraxinusexcelsior) Almond Tree(Prunusdulcis) Alder Tree(Alnusglutinosa) •••Trees White Rockrose(Cistusalbidus) Thyme (Thymuscommunis) Terebinth /Turpentinetree(Pistaceaterebintus) Tamujo (Flueggeatinctorea) Tamarisk (Tamarixafricana) Strawberry tree(ArbutusunedoL.) Steppe Rockrose(Cistusalbidus) Spurge Flax(Dagnenidium) Spanish Lavender(Cistussalvifolius) Spanish Lavender(Lavandulastoechas) Southern Maidenhairfern/VenusHairFern (Adiantum capillus-veneris) Snipe (Gallinagogallinago) Short-Toed Eagle (Circaetusgallicus) Sardinian Warbler(Sylviamelanocephala) Rock Bunting(Emberizacia) Red-Legged Partridge(Alectorisrufa) Nightingale (Lusciniamegarhynchos) Melodious Warbler(Hippolais polyglotta) Mallard (Anasplatyrhynchos) Magpie (Picapica) Little Owl(Athenenoctua) Little Egret(Egrettagarzetta) Kingfisher (Alcedoatthis) Kestrel (Falcotinnunculus) Jay (Garrulusglandarius) Jackdaw (Corvusmonedula) Hoopoe (Upupaepops) Griffon Vulture(Gypsfulvus) Grey Wagtail(Motacillacinerea) Grey Heron(Ardeacinerea) Greenfinch (Carduelischloris) Goshawk (Accipitergentilis) Goldfinch (Cardueliscarduelis) Golden Oriole(Oriolus oriolus) Golden Eagle(Aquilachrysaetos) Egyptian Vulture(Neophronpercnopterus) Eagle-Owl (Bubobubo) Dartford Warbler(Sylviaundata) Crag Martin(Ptyonoprognerupestris) Corn Bunting(Miliariacalandra) Cormorant (Phalacrocoraxcarbo) Cirl Bunting(Emberizacirlus) Chaffinch (Fringillacoelebs) Buzzard (Buteobuteo) Booted Eagle(Hieraaetuspennatus) Bonelli’s Eagle(Hieraaetusfasciatus) Blue Rock-Trush(Monticola solitarius) Blue Tit(Cyanistescaeruleus) Blackbird (Turdusmerula) Black-Winged Kite(Elanuscaeruleus) Black Vulture(Aegypiusmonachus) Black Stork(Ciconianigra) Black-Eared Wheatear(Oenanthehispanica) Bee-Eater (Meropsapiaster) Azure-winged Magpie(Cyanopicacyanus) •••Birs Wolf (Canislupus) Wild Boar(Susscrofa) Otter (Lutralutra) Iberian Lynx(Lynxpardinus) 145 GR-48Córdoba 146 GR-48Córdoba Viperine Snake(Natrixmaura) Montpellier Snake(Malpolon monspessulanus) Lataste’s Viper(Viperalatastei) Ladder Snake(Rhinechisscalaris) Horseshoe WhipSnake(Hemorrhoishippocrepis) Eyed Lizard(Lacertalepida) •••Reptiles Western Spadefoot(Pelobatescultripes) Southern MarbledNewt(Trituruspygmaeus) Iberian PaintedFrog(Discoglossusgalganoi) Iberian WaterFrog(Pelophylaxperezi) Iberian MidwifeToad(Alytescisternasii) Bosca’s Newt(Triturusboscai) •••Amphibians Wild CommonCarp(Cyprinuscarpio) Spined Loach(Cobitistaenia) Pardilla (Chondrostomalemmingii) Iberian Nase(Pseudochondrostomapolylepis) Esclater´s Barbel(Luciobarbussclateri) Barbel (Barbusbarbus) •••Fish Wryneck (Jynxtorquilla) Woodchat Shrike(Laniussenator) White Stork(Ciconiaciconia) White-Rumped Swift(Apuscaffer) Turtle Dove(Streptopeliaturtur) Thekla Lark(Galeridatheklae) Tawny Owl(Strixaluco) Subalpine Warbler(Sylviacantillans) Stone Curlew(Burhinusoedicnemus) Spanish ImperialEagle(Aquilaadalberti) Southern GreyShrike(Laniusmeridionalis) Song Thrush(Turdusphilomelos) 147 GR-48Córdoba 148 GR-48Córdoba and hiddenpathsintheregionof SierraMorenaCordobesa. Definitively this is an unforgettable experienceand wheretraditionnatureareinextricably intertwinedwiththepeople’slife. that will take history of full hikersvillages and towns small alongsome are there trail, somethe Along intricateeagle. Imperial Spanish the and vulture black the wolf, the lynx, Iberian the like species animal gered endan- some to home is which territory wild a is This groves. olive and pastures with The landscape comprises sections of the purestted areas. and lush Mediterranean Forestprotec- both connects that corridor green the togetherof sections some through passing while SierradeHornachuelos Natural Park totheSierra deCardeña Montoroy Natural Park throughstagestenprovinceroutethewhichCórdoba.covers atheoffrom is This Thisrough guide describes thesection ofthetrail that stretches some 180kilometres information abouttheSierraMorenaPaththrougheachprovince. tationofthe route, four separate guides have been produced which contain accurateCórdoba and Jaén Sevilla, in Andalucía. Huelva, In order of to enhance walkers’ provinces knowledge and the interpre- through goes trail the Portugal, in town small a cos, Barran- at off Starting kilometres. 590 some covers Path” Morena “Sierra GR-48 The