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GR7 Home | Almería
| Cadiz | Cordoba
| Granada | Jaén
| Málaga
The GR7 in Jaen, takes in the Sierra Magina
The GR7 is the footpath through Andalucia,
which forms part of the European Route No. 4. The route is made
up of itineraries, which are designed to avoid crossing or using
tarmac roads or any roads used by traffic, wherever possible. The
GR7 starts in Tarifa in on the
furthest southwest tip of Spain, where the Mediterranean meets the
Atlantic. The route stretches across the provinces of Cádiz,
Málaga, Granada,
Almería, Córdoba
and Jaén, covering
approximately 1,250 kilometers of sign-posted footpaths.
GR7 in Jaen
Approximately 220 kilometers
Las Pilas de Fuente Soto - Alcala la Real - Frailes
- Carchelejo - Cambil - Torres - Albanchez de Úbeda - Bedmar
- Jódar - Hornos de Peal - Quesada - Cazorla
- Vadillo - Cotorríos - Pontones - Santiago de la Espada
The GR-7 route covers over 200 kilometers within
the Province of Jaén, in its winding cross-country path from
Tarifa in Andalucia, right across to Europe to Athens. In Jaén
the walk takes in the most important Mountain ranges in the Province;
Sierra Sur, Sierra Mágina and the Sierras (mountains) of
Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas. Crossing over from the Province
of Córdoba at Pilas de Fuente Soto, go on to Alcalá
la Real and carry on towards Santa Ana with sight of the Mota Castle
on the horizon. Go through Santa Ana and on to Frailes and then
to Los Rosales, from which point you take a tarmac road before getting
back on to country tracks. You cross through several mountain pass
areas, including that of Los Alamillos. From there, head down to
the River Valdearazo and go back up zigzagging the Piedra del Palo,
from where you have a wonderful view of the Quiebrajano reservoir.
The track continues its ascent until you reach flatlands and then
the village of Carchelejo. You come into Carchelejo at the top end
of the village and then walk down through the streets to find the
N-323 road, passing by a hairpin bend known as "El Diente de
la Vieja" (the old woman's tooth). Carry on along the N-323
up to the motorway and cross it under it, coming back up on the
banks of the river between orchards and poplar groves to get to
Cambil, which is next to the water purifying plant for the area.
From Cambil, head out through Cortijo Bonales, which
takes you into the Sierra Mágina, the highest mountain range
in the province. Go through Mata-Bejid and carry along a pathway
towards Puerto de la Mata. This is a very beautiful stretch of the
walk, covered in different types of oak trees, which are representative
of the province in the area of Peña de Jaén. Crossing
over the mountain pass, the route runs its way through a pine forest
towards Torres, where you have the chance to cool off in the sparkling
waters of Fuente Pellenda, before heading off towards Albánchez
de Mágina on the well worn local paths, which go through
almond and cherry groves. Then head for Fuente de la Fresneda and
through the recreation field of Cuadros until you reach Bédmar,
after which the route suddenly heads upwards to El Portillo on one
of the steepest climbs in the GR-7, later coming down towards Jódar
and crossing the Serrezuela. Out of Jódar, go towards the
railway station of Jódar-Quesada, cross the Guadian Menor,
looking for Hornos de Peal and then Toya. Once on this pathway,
carry on through the valley until you reach Quesada. Coming out
of Quesada you pass beneath a spot known as El Chorro and find the
Monasterio de Monte Sión and after that La Ermita (Hermitage)
de San Isicio, near Cazorla.
After Cazorla, the route carries on along one of
the prettiest parts of the walk through Jaén. In amongst
the pine trees is the hermitage of La Vigen de la Cabeza. The path
then carries on past the Fuente del Oso (fountain of the bear) of
the village of Vadillo Castril. After this you come to the village
of Loma de María Angela and later - right in the heart of
the Nature Reserve
of Cazorla, you pass through Segura y Las Villas, Cotorrios.
You then carry on by the Guadalquivir River, passing nearby the
Aguasmulas River and then going up to Fuente Segura, which bring
you to Pontones. From Pontones you go on to Poyotello, going downwards
to the river Zumeta and then the villages of Ruices, Santiago and
Espada, finally crossing over into the Province of Granada towards
the small town of D. Fadrique.
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