Sierra de Andújar

Sierra de Andújar
Read more Read less

The hills of oak arise as far as the eyes can see at Sierra de Andújar, as colossal steps that rise from the depths of the Guadalquivir Valley to colonise the mount of La Mancha; above the attentive flight of the imperial eagle.

From the north and set among gorges flow the waters from the rivers that make up the backbone of these villages of Sierra Morena: Yeguas, Jándula and, further east, Rumblar. These run along regions of granite, ahead of the neighbour of batholith Los Pedroches, which peeks out from giant holes and screes whose raw material has been used in the vernacular architecture (bramble-topped walls, drinking troughs, columns… and tombs). Occasionally, in the northernmost strip, emerge quartzite crags that point out the proximity to Despeñaperros.

When descending, a more hilly terrain appears. This is the domain of slate coal, a great treasure of the metalliferous seams, formerly a vital activity in this region. At its contact with the Guadalquivir Valley, it leads to islets of sandstone traditionally used in the monumental buildings of the towns of the Nature Reserve.

Possibly, these villages of the north-western part of Jaen are home to the largest areas of Mediterranean forest in Spain, dominated by oak and cork, a notable presence of gall oaks and some patches of Pyrenean oak in the areas of greater height and humidity - Sierra Quintana-. When the forest dwindles appears a thicket dominated by rockrose in its different varieties, accompanied by aromatic plants: rosemary, lavender, marjoram, etc. Likewise, other species arise, such as stone pine, false olive, strawberry trees and mastic; outstanding quasi monumental samples of the latter may be appreciated next to the Rumblar hiking path. The botanical originality of these lands lies in the presence of numerous little and rare elements in the southern Iberian Peninsula, as heather of peat bogs, Venus's-flytrap or other lesser-known as Cicendia filiformis or Solenopsis laurenti. We find here the largest population of Iberian lynx, one of the most endangered carnivores, and the wolf in its southernmost habitat. Worth mentioning is the presence of a great number of large birds of prey, such as the golden eagle, black vulture or eagle owl, although the main protagonist in these mountains is the Iberian imperial eagle. Also of interest is the existence of a significant number of pairs of black stork, lesser kestrel and other species such as otters, stag and an endemic one exclusive to the waters of the Jándula and Rumblar Rivers: the bogardilla.

Nature Areas
Nature park
en
Read more
Coordinates not available
Sierra de Andújar
Carretera Andújar-Santuario Virgen de la Cabeza,, Andújar, km. 13, 23740

Services and infrastructure

  • Botanical Garden
  • Restaurant
  • Tourist Office

Target audiences

Friends, Lgbti, Seniors, For families, young people, I travel alone, Couples

Segments

Leisure and fun, Sports, Nature, Gastronomy, Culture

Links

1
See links

Type of activity

Orienteering, Hot air ballooning, Horse riding, Climbing, Multi-adventure activities, Off-road vehicles, Biking, Hiking, Canyoning, Mountaineering, Kayaking

Quality brands

ISO 14001:2004, European Charter for Sustainable Tourism

Environmental units

Sierra Morena Continental mountain

Statement date

28 / 07 / 1989

Area (m2)

74774