ScheduleOutdoors
Hiking in Sierra de Cazorla National Park – 5th to 10th September 2010
The setting
Please, visit our gallery to view the National Park and some of its flora and fauna.
The Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas National Park represent the largest protected area in Spain and was designated a Unesco biosphere reserve in 1983. Connecting the Subbetica and Sierra Morena mountain ranges, it is located in the Jaen province of Andalucia. The highest peak in this immense park is Pico Empanada at 2,107m and the entire park is higher than 600m.
We are talking about 209,000 hectares of mountains with forests of pine groves inhabited by unique species, such as the Cazorla violet – found in remote areas hidden in the depths of shady rock crevices, it flowers in May – the Valverde wall lizard ( an endemic species), a daffodil which claims to be the smallest in the world and a unique carnivorous plant all have their habitat amidst the Park's luxuriant pine groves.
The park's forests and rocky crests hold a botanical treasure only matched by the Sierra Nevada mountain range representing a fifth of the plants of the Iberian Peninsula. The flora of the Park is one of the richest in Spain, with over 1,300 catalogued species.
We can also find some magnificent waterfalls, like those of the Salto de los Órganos and the Cascada de Linarejos, and sheer-sided gorges, such as the Cerrada de Utrero and the Cerrada de la Canaliega. Many lakes and reservoirs are dotted around the park; by far the largest is the Embalse de Tranco, fed by the infant Guadalquivir and its tributaries.This is also the spot where you are most likely to discover a herd of red deer in the undergrowth.
These mountains contain a number of Tertiary relict species not found anywhere else in the world. There is plenty of rainfall in this part of Andalucia; the park receives an annual average of 770mm. The heat in summer can be intense and snow and frost are common in winter. Low temperatures can persist until late May.
The itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival. Introduction and daily route information.
Day 2 – Nava del Espino – Pollos de la Mesa.
Gentle ascent to the Pollos de la Mesa summit (1240 metres), views of the Guadalquivir valley and Puente de las Herrerias.
Distance: 13.5 kms
Duration: 4-5 hours
Ascent incline: 350 m
Descent incline: 560 m
Level of difficulty: Easy/Medium. Well marked trails. Irregular terrain.
Day 3 – La Malena and Escaleruela waterfalls. Cazorla town.
We set out from Cazorla town and walk past the Santobastian hermitage towards La Escaruela waterfall and Nacelrio and Riojazas where we'll enjoy magnificent views of Cazorla and its surrounding countryside, to the right we'll see Peña de los Halcones ( Falcon's Peak) peppered with vultures' nests.
On the way down we'll reach La Malena waterfall where in medieval times women worshipped the Virgin of the Madalena, a ritual said to have its roots in ancient pagan times. Back towards Cazorla we'll cross the valley of the Cerezuelo river, set amongst typical terraced mountain farming plots.
In the afternoon we'll visit Cazorla and its old quarter.
Distance: 6 kms
Duration: 2-3 hours plus afternoon visit to Cazorla.
Ascent incline: 200 m
Descent incline: 200 m
Level of difficulty: Easy. Mountain trails. Irregular terrain.
Day 4 – Guazalamanco stream.
We will set out from La Bolera reservoir. The upstream winding path is set amongst a typical riverside mediterranean forest of ash trees, oaks and pine trees.
Distance: 8 kms
Duration: 3-4 hours
Ascent incline: 500 m
Descent incline: 500 m
Level of difficulty: Easy. Forest path. Irregular terrain. Shallow water crossing.
Day 5 – Borosa River
We'll set out from La Torre del Vinagre and pass the Borosa river trout farm. This is the river that we will follow on our ascent towards the Valdeazores Lagoon. This is a particularly beautiful route that will take us through gorgeous nature spots like River Borosa's source, also known as Aguas Negras and Las Lagunas Negras and Valdeazores. We'll walk past the Arroyo de las Truchas ( Trout's Stream) where keen anglers enjoy fly fishing.
Whilst walking we'll enjoy a landscape of high altitude Black Pine ( Pinus nigra), maritime and Aleppo pines as well as native vegetation such as kermes oak, rosemary and strawberry bush.
We'll follow a steep incline to reach the spectacular cascade of el Salto de los Organos, formed by the infant river Borosa and close to its source. If we are quiet we may be allowed to see some of the fauna that inhabits this rich natural space: heron, wild duck, kingfisher, red deer, mountain goat, mouflon.
Distance: 22 kms
Duration: 6-7 hours
Ascent incline: 650 m
descent incline: 650 m
Level of difficulty: Medium. Irregular terrain. Some 3 kms of steep mountain trail.
Day 6 – Travelling back home
After the last of the delicious breakfasts we'll say our goodbyes or "Hasta pronto"!
Accommodation
We will be staying in an Andalucian farm in the border of the Granada and Jaen provinces where we'll enjoy the use of authentic Cortijo (typical Andalucian farmhouse) cottages. Each Cortijo has a fully equipped kitchen and bathroom, fireplace, a minimum of five double-rooms , a large dining/sitting room and an outside barbecue. The views are truly inspiring, reaching as far as the eye can see into the Granada high planes via a undulating foreground of Mediterranean olive groves. Closer to the Cortijos there is a swimming-pool that can be enjoyed when the weather is hot. The immediate surrounding countryside is perfect for an easy walk or a picnic, centenary oaks provide shelter from the sun and typical Mediterranean plants and herbs abound.
We'll share the house with the other participants. Each participant will have the sole use of a double-bedroom unless otherwise requested.
Please, visit our Gallery to view the accommodation and surrounding area.
Getting there
Our base is at the southwest tip of the Sierra de Cazorla National Park on the border of the Jaen and Granada provinces. For those flying in, Granada airport is the closest to our destination, a 1.5 hour drive, there's only one airline (Ryanair) flying direct from the UK and none from Ireland. Malaga airport being a more popular destination has a higher number of airlines flying there from all over Europe including Ireland and the UK, the driving time from Malaga's airport to the accommodation is 3 hours.
Driving
You can rent a car both in Granada and Malaga airports. Renting from as little as 25 Euro per day means your total holiday cost will remain incredibly affordable. If you want to bring this cost even lower and most importantly choose a more environmentally friendly way of getting to the accommodation, then you can opt for the 'Rent and Share' option, see below.
Sharing the costs
We are offering a 'Rent and Share' option for the first time. This is the way it works, if you are happy to share the cost of car rental and petrol with other participants, you must let us know when booking. We have built a members only site where you'll be able to communicate with other participants and organise your car rental and sharing amongst yourselves. We believe this is a great way of keeping to a minimum the price of your holiday, it allows you to act in a more environmentally friendly way and it also gives you the opportunity to meet the other participants before getting there. We value your feedback and would greatly appreciate your comments on this new scheme.
To encourage all participants to be mindful about the importance of minimizing emissions, we are giving away 5€ to each participant sharing a small car (minimum 3 passengers, including the driver) and 10€ to each participant sharing a big car ( from 4 passengers upwards, including the driver), towards filling up the tank.
Upon booking, you will receive a road map and detailed directions to get to the accommodation.
Travelling from Spain
If you are travelling from within Spain you have a wide choice of transport:
By Air
Flying to Granada is a very affordable option. Companies like Vueling or Click Air fly from most of the main Spanish cities from as little as 85 Euros.
By Train
The national train company Renfe has trains running from every major city to Granada including Madrid-Granada from 64 euros each way or the Train Hotel, overnight comfy ride from Barcelona to Granada on first class for as little as 85 euros each way.
By car
Spain's world class motorway network makes driving an easy and comfortable option.
