Ravine ofl Gargantón
The name of the place is due to the presence of an ancient 15th-century monastery of the Order of the Augustine first, and after the Basilios, which is linked to the existence of these springs. With the deamortization of Mendizabal it went to agricultural uses, until today.
The water allowed the development of orchards in the area for centuries surrounded by olive trees, vineyards and cereals. This source today feeds several pools that serve for the irrigation of fruit, orchards and olive groves, as well as keeping a humid ecosystem in its surroundings. It is a historic birch of cattle flocks and wild fauna in the area.
It is located in the Cortijo El Convent de Carchelejo (Cárcheles). It is accessed by a dirt lane that leaves to the left of the access road to Carchelejo. It is signposted, and the source has free access to the public.
It is a spring associated with two others on the same side or ravine and that several decades ago had more than seven springs at different heights.
It begins in the Plaza de España de Jódar, where we can enjoy the facade of the facade of the Church of the Assumption (16th century). We continue on the c / General Noriega to Jódar Castle. We went up the c / Plaza del Castillo to the Hall of Nature Felix R. de la Fuente. From there, through the peri-urban park we access the Mirador de Traschina.
Behind us is the starting point of our "Los Pocicos" path, outside the city centre. We can get information on the information panel. We will follow an old well-defined horseshoe path leaving the town behind. We will gradually go up to a small hill where there was the Hermitage of San Cristobal, which gives name to this hill. We divised an ancient olive tree still in operation called "Primera Pocico." It has an old mine and a small water spring. We'll look back for a nice view.
We will follow a small stretch of lane about 100 m and we will take the path to the left again. After moving through almonds, we will pass through a short stretch of olive trees until we connect back to the lane at the end of the climb.
From here on the ground changes. We can observe the "Second Pocco" at the front, between olive lands and some isolated carrasco pines. Our goal is the rock formations we have in the West direction. When we reach the lane curve, we will take the second path that ascends between olive trees. We will continue straight on the path that leads us to the "Second Pocco" hill. From here we will have wonderful views of the Cazorla Natural Park, Segura and Las Villas and the Guadalquivir Valley.
At this point we surround the limestone formations to come down by the so-called Turrilla Hace. This is an ancient land of rain cultivation. The coat of the rock has an old cattle abrevadero, and on this one we must admire a curious rocky pinnacle: Peña Pescezo. We will go down among the almonds to continue our path. At 100 meters down we will take a lane with a certain slope that we will climb to turn left and continue our route.
During the return we will have another perspective of the town of Jódar as we walk between arbustive and herbaceous vegetation. The mountain is dominated by spartum: raw material of great importance to Jódar in the past.
This hiking route has a linear part and a circular final section. It has a total distance of 7 km.
About 6 km away is Jódar, the largest town in Sierra Mágina. We'll be on the A-401 road. Jódar stands out for the offer of services, and for the castle that hosts one of the two Visitors' Centers of the natural park of Sierra Magina.
Our tour runs along the eastern side of Sierra Magina. Little by little and for 18 km the landscape of olive trees on a subdesert mountain.
To the right we will find the detour to Bélmez de la Moraleda. The waters of the Garganton River assigns to the green landscape and the presence of gardens. The main attraction of the town is the famous faces of Belgium, a curious phenomenon that attracts its own and strangers to this small town.
On the A-401, our walk will continue for 12 km towards Huelma. Almost at the end of the tour we find the pedany of Cabritas, a scattered rural habitat that hides dozens of ancient mills and gardens that for centuries, and from the Middle Ages made this place a vergel of fruit and vegetables.
Attention to the detour in the A-324, which in only three km leads us to the centre of Huelma, a town that offers us restoration services, and two jewels of the Andalusian Renaissance, the Church of the Immaculate Conception, the work of Andrés de Vandelvira, and the castle that watches the village from above.
It is the route that links the Loma de Ubeda and the Guadalquivir River with the core of Sierra Magina.
The railway station of Jódar, is adjacent to the municipal term of Ubeda. In this station, in disuse, millions of tons of wood that came floating through the Guadalquivir from the Serras of Cazorla and Segura were embarked at another time. Similarly the spatter production of Jódar and Cabra of Saint Christ also used these railway docks to begin their long journey.
50 minutes (excluding stops).
Just after leaving Pegalajar, you can reach a small mountain port, a portillo known as Seven Pillas, between the Serrezuela de Pegalajar and the massif of Sierra Magina. In this place, favored by winds is the paragliding area of the same name.
The few 7 km that link Paste with Manchar Real (Ctra. JA-3203) are those of a small road that hangs from the skirts of Sierra Magina, and are a magnificent lookout towards the countryside and the city of Jaén. Mancha Real runs through the center of its urban centre. This industrial and olive-growing town has a beautiful Renaissance church, the Church of the Holy Cross, which well deserves a stop.
The stretch between Mancha Real and Torres (Ctra. JA-3106) shows a good view of Sierra Magina. The arrival in Torres offers one of the best landscapes of the Natural Park. A high mountain horizon, which in its skirts collects the orchards and cherry plantations that reach the urban town of Torres hanging from Mount Aznaitín. The Marquis de Camarasa palace, the climbing in the Cimbras, some of its restaurants are sufficient reasons to devote a while to this town. It is highly recommended to walk to the clock that crowns the population and that in an unknown viewpoint teaches the best of these mountains.
But the best thing is to come. The mountain road between Torres and Albanchez de Mágina (JA-1107) is so small that these two villages separated by only 10 km do not enjoy a bus line... because there is no commercial-sized bus that can travel some points on this road. The main attraction is the landscape, which leads from the moist north side to the driest east, always accompanied by cherry and olive plantations.
Albanchez de Magina, has a rocky castle of must visit, as well as the need to try the almonds, cupcakes and bread, for many the best in the province of Jaén.
7 kilometers (Ctra. JA-3105) more and you will reach Jimena and the A-320 road. In Jimena you can ask about the wheat potage, and you have to visit the Cueva de la Graja, with interesting neolithic rock paintings (access is by a steep path that begins in the municipal pool). The city hall will provide you with the instructions and key to visit the cave. If your pass through Jimena is at the beginning of the summer, look for the best brews in Andalusia that are collected here by the local cooperative.
In the direction of Jaén@-@ Mancha Real, for the Ctra. A-320, just two kilometers away you will find the right turn that will take you to the village of Garciez, always on a road (A-6104) that immerses you in the olive grove for five km.
Garciez and his Renaissance palace of the Marquis de Viana are a surprise. The palace is not visitable, but only the outside walk gives an idea of importance of the place in the 16th century.
Seven more miles and you'll be in Bedmar. This town has restaurants and bars for food, as well as a ruined castle hanging over the village. In this town is the seat of the Regulatory Council of the Denomination of Origin of Extra Virgin Oil Sierra Magina, which orders the production of one of the best oils in Jaén.
This route by car involves a visit to different areas of Sierra Magina. Although it is recommended for any time of year, autumn, but especially spring are the best time to make this visit.
The route begins in Pegalajar, town of the Guadalbullón River, with different points of interest, such as its traditional medieval garden system or rural accommodation in cave houses
Distance: 55 km.
Time approx.: 1 and a half hours (not including stops).