Circular Yelmo Chico Trail - PR-A 150

The Circular Yelmo Chico Trail - 150 PR-A is one of the most pleasant excursions that can be made in the region, thanks to the even level of the route and the fact that the circular layout of most of the route, clinging to the steep sides of Yelmo Chico, lets you see the expansive panoramic views of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas Natural Park.

As well as this, the rocky architecture of this mountain is spectacular, with imposing rock shelves, cliffs and “picones”, or rock formations in curious shapes, and coloured sepia.

The route starts in La Capellanía, a small white village in the municipality of Hornos, overlooking the deep gorge of the Hornos River.

As we walk around El Yelmo Chico we will see places outside of the area, in particular the large Tranco Reservoir, the beautiful village of Hornos and the olive groves around Cortijos Nuevos. Then appears El Yelmo, the highest and most emblematic peak in the area, providing stunning views of the forested masses of the Hornos Gorge.

The route runs along a narrow forest track, except the first few metres, which takes a bridle path.

We will cross the three types of pine forests typical in our mountains: Aleppo, Corsican and black pines, under which grows an undergrowth dominated by rock rose, rosemary, juniper and holm oak shrubs, with a few Portuguese oaks, maples and juniperus phoenicia.

The holm oaks, that grow on the steep or north-facing slopes, are noticeable. There are many boars and mountain goats.