Jaén by the TransAndalus

The wild nature of its nature reserves sways and protects the new-born Guadalquivir before it leaves full of youth and energy in search of new adventures across the land of Andalusia. Its rugged terrain predestines its history to become the crucial setting for important events and conflicts, where harsh battles took place to dominate and own it, leaving behind countless castles and defensive structures as silent witnesses.

The route of the TransAndalus by the province of Jaén starts in Pozo Alcon after the last stage coming from the north of province of Granada It climbs the Sierra de Cazorla along tracks that lead to the Campos de Hernán Perea and, following the transhumance route, continues towards the source of the Segura River. It explores the Sierra de Segura until it comes to the end of the Nature Reserve by the west and, cutting through the province, it seeks Nature Reserve of Despeñaperros, coming across the majestic Cimbarra Waterfall before reaching Aldeaquemada. From there, it crosses fields that were once the setting for the most crucial battles in the history of Spain.

After passing through the new towns founded by Charles III, the horizon displays the imposing shape of the Almohad Castle of Baños de la Encina, before entering the territory of the Iberian lynx in hidden Sierra Morena: the Nature Reserve Sierra de Andújar.

Going down to the valley of the Guadalquivir River and parallel to it, we reach, Marmolejo on the last stage of the TransAndalus, across the land of Jaén, where we bid farewell to our teenage "Great River" that follows its destiny towards the warm and welcoming Cordoba.