Cordoba by the TransAndalus

By the Dehesas de Sierra Morena, crossing gentle hills by ancient transhumant paths, among Holm oaks, rock rose and rosemary, the Mediterranean woods captivate us with their beauty. Accompanied by an extraordinary fauna that gives flavour to the stoves and brings joy to the pantries, we will travel through its history and a not so distant past that speaks to us about the wealth in its depths.

The TransAndalus in the province of Cordoba begins in Marmolejo (Jaén), towards Cardeñacrossing the River Guadalquivir, and after a sharp climb among olive trees it reaches the borders of the province, in the dam of the River Yeguas.

Further on, it leaves the Guadalquivir Valley and, snaking between olive trees and pines, it reaches Los Pedroches region after reaching the peak of Alto de Españares.

In the Venta del Charco we find the only forest of Pyrenean oak in the province of Cordoba and we will go past Cardeña. We have gone through the Nature Reserve of Cardeña y Montoro, home to the Iberian lynx.

The region has an extensive network of livestock tracks due to its cattle raising tradition. The Cañada Real Soriana meets the Cañada Real de la Mesta at El Guijo.

From El Guijo we follow the Cañada Real de la Mesta (GR 39.), we go through Hinojosa del Duque, to end up in the well known village of Fuente Obejuna, in the region of the Valle del Guadiato, heart of the Sierra Morena.

As we gently cycle along the TranAndalus in Cordoba, we will find many remains of a once intensive mining industry that accompany the flourishing food and agriculture exploitations of the Iberian pig, Merino sheep, goats and Retinta cows. Today, these are the economic driver of the area.