Circular Segura de la Sierra – Moralejos Trail – 198 PR-A

As we traverse the Circular Segura de la Sierra – Moralejos Trail – PR-A 198, as well as the stunningly beautiful landscapes of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park,, we will come across human settlements, that will give us an insight into some of the key aspects of the history of this region and its traditional lifestyle. It begins next to the old lavoir in Segura de la Sierra, a small village that has been declared a Historic-Artistic Site with its reconstructed castle from the Moorish period.

We can take a step back in time, by taking a short diversion halfway through the route, to the place known as Segura la Vieja, where the remains of an ancient settlement, the origin of which has not been fully studied, lie, and from where we can see unforgettable views in whichever direction we look. We will then pass through the tiny white hamlet of Moralejos (divided into two parts, Arriba (upper) and Abajo (lower)), which is still inhabited, and in whose narrow streets and vegetable patches the most traditional atmosphere of the segureña mountains is preserved.

The vegetation is dominated by forests of black pine with dense undergrowth, bordered by olive groves, and some holm oaks, in particular those that can be spotted when leaving Moralejos de Abajo, on the left slope of the valley of the Trujala. The route mostly uses forest tracks and narrow paths, except one short stretch that takes a road with very little traffic. In this area it is common to spot griffon vultures and mountain goats.