Trail Paso Puerto de la Mata
Description
This route allows one of the best preserved mountains in the Sierra Magina area, the public mountain Mata Bejid. The main characteristic of this is the dehesa: the clear forest of oaks and complaints of majestic bearing that appear interspersed with mountain pastures and numerous shrubs of the Mediterranean mountain. It also offers the opportunity to visit vestiges of the past, such as the castle of Mata Bejid and its era, declared Good of Cultural Interest.
In short, it is a very complete route with which to enjoy landscapes of great beauty presided by the spectacular image of the Peña de Jaén.
Is part of
Datos de la ruta
ROUTE NAME
GR-7 - Paso Puerto de la Mata
TRAIL TYPE
Dirt track, of varying widths and surfaces.
DIFFICULTY
Media
TOTAL DISTANCE (IN KILOMETERS) 12,88 km
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Stretch of asphalt or concrete: --
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Section of track, forest road, or dry watercourse: --
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Trail section: --
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Sections of livestock trails: --
HUSO 30S
ESTIMATED TRAVEL TIME
4 h 10 min
ROAD SURFACE TYPE
Dirt track, of varying widths and surfaces.
ELEVATION CHANGE
677mm
300mm
DIFFICULTY. RATING ACCORDING TO THE MIDE METHOD
2
MEANS
Severity of the natural environment
2
ITINERARY
Route guidance
2
DISPLACEMENT
Difficulty moving about
3
EFFORT
Amount of effort required
ACCESSIBILITY TYPE
On foot
TIME OF YEAR
All year round
SIGNALING
No
MORE INFORMATION
TUNNELS
STEEL VIADUCTS
METAL WALKWAYS
WATER POINTS
PONTOONS
GUARD BOOTHS AND BARRIERS
SWITCHMAN'S CABINS
CYCLABILITY
RECREATIONAL OR SPORTS AREAS NEAR THE TRAIL
AID STATIONS
LINKS TO OTHER TRAILS
SHELTERS
RECOMMENDATIONS
This path can be realized throughout the year. In winter, conditions in the mountain port, the highest area and surrounded by high mountain peaks, can make it complicated by low temperatures and snow accumulation, although the road route is not complicated. In the course, water points are only available at the beginning (private source in the Mata Behid corrijada) and at the end in the Fuenmayor. However, none is treated water, although they are traditionally used for consumption. In summer the insolation is very strong, linked to the lack of shadows, will be an important solar protection.
This path, once reached the port, offers the possibility to ascend to the peaks Almadén (2032 m.) and Ponce (2005 m.), by paths of unstable firm. Both summits, divided by this mountain port offer possibilities for lovers of the great panoramic. From the Almadén to the north and the Depression of the Guadalquivir, and from the Ponce to the south, overlooking the province of Granada, crowned by the Sierra Nevada National Park. These alternatives would significantly extend the time of implementation, as well as the difficulties.
In the km 13 of the A-324 Road (Cambil-Huelma) there is a sway on the road, where you can park the car, next to the Mata Behid cordial that gives name to these sites. Right here begins an ascending lane by an olive tree, which is marked in the beginning. This path is part of the GR-7, as it passes through the province of Jaén. It is advisable to leave a second vehicle at the end of the path, near the site of Fuenmayor, near the village of Torres.
OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST (ARCHITECTURAL OR HISTORICAL-CULTURAL, GEOLOGICAL-ECOLOGICAL)
- In the spring, at the beginning of the path the flowering of the forest of the Adelfar de Cuadros, a formation of the riverside forest formed by huge specimens of tellifas, breaks out.
- In the first third of the ascent, to the right of the track, the Carluco, mountain that hosts the largest cornicabral of Spain (the cornicabra, Pistacia terebinthus, is a shrub characteristic of the Mediterranean vegetation) is raised.
- Landscape of high Mediterranean mountain-Andalusian, in the area of the Caño del Aguadero, with traditional constructions such as abrevadero and tinada. This area is about 1600 meters above sea level. At this point a number of municipal terms coincide, a fact that, increased by its value, has served as a popular dispute of who it belongs to.
- Geological formations like dolinas, on the last part of the tour.
- The sighting of royal eagles in flight, and mountain goats at the summits, is common.
Technical Description
The tour is a permanent rise, not very pronounced, but long. This path will take us from the valley bottom to the Sierra Mágina Natural Park summit area, traditional summer grazing sites, high-rise local boarders or pastures. This is therefore a traditional livestock road, from the transsterminery - local movement of cattle from valley to mountain.
The recreational area of Cuadros is the starting point, the place where we can leave our vehicle. The track rises for several kilometres between the pine slopes. In this first stretch, to the right of the track, we will have the view of the deep valleys of mountain torrents that converge and collect all the waters of this sector of the massif. The valley of the river Cuadros, the ravine of Mosquito and Peru, interesting for its cornicabral, vegetation characteristic of this area.
The first stretch of the path ends in the Control of the Valley, building next to a control barrier that has an explanade where we can rest. Depending on the season here we will find water to refresh.
But the stop must be brief because we have not yet made a third of the climb route. On the right side of the road you will find a path, with stone reclining, a path restored years ago in a field of work. It is a shortcut, which we do not recommend for its inclination.
We still have to reach the Era del Curilla, right on the roof of the Barranco del Atanor's head at 1100 meters of altitude; a natural step that connects with the east side of the massif. The era that was located there used the currents between the two sides to feed the wheat by taking advantage of the permanent passage of air.
We are left with the longest stretch, just over eight kilometers still until the end of the climb. During this part of the journey the road is adapted to the slope of the Sierra de la Cruz, drawing the rails, which one behind the other allows us to gain height. The landscape changes to a mountain of salgarean pines, tall tree, combined with cornicabra and even nozzles. Let us not forget that we are on the northern side of Magina, something more humid than the rest of the Sierra. To the left of the road we will find different mortars, or high and isolated hills. On the right we enjoyed the impressive view from the top of the rails we saw at the beginning of the itinerary.
The road loses its inclination, and there is only a plain until the Caño del Aguadero. The tour is flanked by high pastures, traditionally frequented by sheep flocks. When you pass through the Hoya de la Laguna - to the left of the walk - a small dolina or depression in the rocky limestone background, you will be very close to your destination. The appearance of chopos announce the presence of water, of the jets of the spring of the Caño del Aguadero.
The tincture, the fountain and the vents are the end of the road. This place is a resting place in the middle of the massif, and is part of a royal canyon. The meadows, the constant presence of water, the bearing and the shadow of the chopos invite you to spend a good time of rest in this corner of the Andalusian mountain. Peña Grajera (2014 m.) crowns the landscape and reminds us of the high mountain conditions we are in.
The return will be made by moving the way up, or by connecting with other paths of different sides. This option requires careful planning and experience in mountain orientation, in addition to many more hours to return to the villages around the massif.
