This is a weekend in Los Pedroches

Are you a nature-lover? Do you prefer a small country house in the middle of nature to a luxury hotel on the coast? Do you prefer a quiet night under the stars to the nightlife of major cities? Do you prefer a rucksack to a restaurant? Then pay close attention because we have a perfect plan for you.

In this article we travelled to the heart of Los Pedroches, where we want to offer you a weekend break packed with landscapes, delicious cuisine and relaxation.

Imagine for a moment being able to wake up in a house like that with the only sound being the birds chirping, surrounded by hundreds of oak trees and no other buildings for miles.

Sounds enticing, doesn't it? Well that's how we woke up in one of the many country houses that are dotted around Los Pedroches, where we started our weekend packed with nature, landscapes and incredible viewpoints that we would like to share with you.

A perfect way to start your day

The morning began sunny, relaxed, with a silence that was only interrupted by the rustling of the oak leaves. A place where you can breath piece and quiet. Absolute peace.

Being able to get up, open the window and receive the morning freshness with a landscape like this is one of those small pleasures of life that makes you feel alive.

A wonderful place to wake up, and adding to that a breakfast of toast with olive oil and cured ham from Los Pedroches in short, amazing, and even though we haven't left the house yet, I bet you already fancy a visit!

Crossing the magic of the meadow

With our batteries charged, our rucksacks packed, some water and our mountain boots well laced up, we head to the meadows to explore Los Pedroches.

Of the many routes that the area has to offer, we would like to suggest a couple of beautiful routes, very easy to walk and which will take you through the most wonderful landscapes of the Cordoba meadows.

We began the first day of our weekend by covering the 14 kilometres that connect the famous Pozoblanco village, where we recommend their excellent cured sausage, and the village of Santuario de la Virgen de Luna.

The route is really easy, and you won't get lost. It's a round-trip and you can also do it by bike

As well as walking, where you can be sure that you will also be accompanied by the classic landscapes of the Los Pedroches meadows which you will have heard about so many times, and that will leave you amazed thanks to beautiful views like this one.

Huge meadows of daisys, buttercups, rockrose and wild olive groves that give colour to the beautiful meadows and and with every step you take you will surrounded by more and more spectuacular landscapes.

The further you go, the calm of the meadow is gradually dotted by the famous Iberian pig, which gave fame to the area for being the best ham in the world.

You can also see some beautiful flocks of sheep, which look like they are standing about waiting to be painted

The famous Pedroches milk queen, the cow, a classic in the Cordoban meadow.

And with a bit of luck and a good eye, you might also spot deer, fallow deer and mouflons.

You'll love the path to the Santuario de la Virgen de Luna.

As well as the meadows with their oak trees, that call out to you to have one of those siestas that rejuvenate the body and soul in one of the best beds there is.

Or just enjoy the countryside under the shade of the ancient branches, leaving behind your problems, the stress of the city, its noise and uproar.

Cardeña and an unforgettable sunset over the water

After a beautiful morning of hiking to Santuario de la Virgen de Luna, that you don't actually have to go to if the route is too long, we return to Pozoblanco, for a mid-afternoon coffee and we continue by car to beautiful viewpoints along the CO-5101 road where you can see with stunning Parque Natural de la Sierra de Cardeña and the "Valley of the Sandy River” (Valle del rio arenoso).

In this area, as you can see, the landscape becomes steeper.

From the flat holm-oak meadows we go to small valleys contained in dense pine forests that join up with the horizon, linking hills as if they were waves.

Afternoon gradually fell and we headed to the Las Tejoneras reservoir to watch the sunset. And... what a sunset!Now in the territory on the Iberian Lynx, we watched the sunset overlooking the calm waters of the lagoon which gradually changed its blue colour as the sun went down.

Now in the territory on the Iberian Lynx, we watched the sunset overlooking the calm waters of the lagoon which gradually changed its blue colour as the sun went down.

A "magical” feeling, that's the word.

What better way to define the sunset we saw, and in complete silence, against Las Tejoneras.

A night of stars and stories in front of the fire

After the sun went down, the stars gradually began to glow in the heavens. As we returned to our hotel and were transported back into the blackness of the meadow, the milky way began to shine more and more. Back at the house, the silence was cozy. We could only hear a dog barking in the distance, a small owl and the sound of the wind outside the house.

Once inside, we didn't hesitate in lighting a huge fire in the fireplace.

After a light dinner, the stories and anecdotes began to flow, alone in the lounge that was slowly beginning to warm up under the heart of the fire where we were already looking forward to the next day to continue discovering the marvels of Los Pedroches.

A picnic along the Ruta de las Grullas (The Route of the Cranes)!

The next morning we set off again, with our rucksacks thrown over our shoulders, to walk another of the most beautiful trails of Pedroches.

The route known as the Ruta de las Grullas, circular and like the Santuario de la Virgen de Luna route, is 14 km and one of the jewels and treasures which we can find in the nature of Los Pedroches region. Judge for yourselves.

The route covers the borders of the Colada marches, where you can see the largest concentration of birds that we have found in the Los Pedroches district.

Cormorants, gulls, ducks, heron, robins, etc. roam the lagoon, together with the obvious cranes, the travellers who visit us every year between November and February.

The area around the lake is simply spectacular.

An environment packed with gentle yellow hills that fill the horizon which we just had to see!Lunchtime snuck up on us, and there, on 2 stones with the lake in the background, we stuffed down our baguette made of bread baked that morning with some Iberian Pozoblanco cured sausage, adding even more flavour to the moment. Amazing!

Lunchtime snuck up on us, and there, on 2 stones with the lake in the background, we stuffed down our baguette made of bread baked that morning with some Iberian Pozoblanco cured sausage, adding even more flavour to the moment. Amazing!

The Los Pedroches sea and its castle

After our picnic and having completed the trails of the Ruta de las Grullas, we got back in the car and headed to the Miramontes Castle in the town of Santa Eufemia, who probably has the best views of Pedroches.

When we reached the town, we were told that it is a very steep climb, and it will be your choice to climb by foot or in your own car. We opted for the car, given that dusk was imminent and our aim was to be amazed by the views with the sunset from above. As we ascend the views of the meadow took our breath away. A majestic sea of oak trees was spead out before us.

The only remains of the castle is the donjon, the reservoir and part of the wall, although you can still appreciate the splendour it had in past times. The castle is set on one of the peaks of the Sierra de Santa Eufemia mountain, and its 800 metres of height makes it an extraordinary watchtower to look over the whole of Los Pedroches, the Alcudia Valley and part of Extremadura.

The sun gradually set, and over our heads the sky changed from orange to electric blue leaving us speechless.

A feeling of freedom. Nature in its purest form. There are no words to describe that heart-stopping moment.A moment to reflect and admire the beauty of these lands. The countryside of Los Pedroches are special landscapes that will truly move you at first glance. Silence reigns in this horizon of rolling hills, together with the scent of lavender and the blanket of strawberry, torvisco, kermes oaks and heather.

A moment to reflect and admire the beauty of these lands. The countryside of Los Pedroches are special landscapes that will truly move you at first glance. Silence reigns in this horizon of rolling hills, together with the scent of lavender and the blanket of strawberry, torvisco, kermes oaks and heather.

An age-old silence, only interrupted by the cowbells, the sound of the Iberian pigs and the elegant presence of crane.

A silence that surprises anyone who visits, landscapes that move those who see it and we invite you to visit and spend two, three, four days, or the time you need to disconnect from everyday life in country surroundings that we're sure you'll love.