The best cycling routes around La Sierra

Cardeña is a town in the north of the province of Córdoba with a population of just over 1,400 inhabitants, at an altitude of 821 meters above sea level. The municipality of this beautiful town includes the small towns of La Venta del Charco and Azuel. The population trend, as in most towns in Spain, has been declining, with a loss of almost 500 inhabitants since 1979. It's worth stopping by its bakeries selling bread and typical local pastries, as well as traditional cured meats, and of course, enjoying a few beers while enjoying its gastronomy.

Cardeña is a small but historically and naturally important municipality in the region. It is located in the northeast of the province of Córdoba and is part of the Parque Natural Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro, a protected natural area. Cardeña is an ideal place for a break by bike, good food and nature worth seeing. Perfect for a bike tour with a culinary break in picturesque surroundings! The region was sparsely populated for a long time and was strategically used as a border area between Christian and Muslim dominions in the Middle Ages. During the reign of Charles III (1759-1788), Spain encouraged the settlement of remote areas. As a result of this colonization policy, several small villages were created in the Sierra Morena, including Cardeña.

The Medina Azahara Visitor Centre in Córdoba is an ideal opportunity to explore the remains of the once magnificent 10th century palace city. It offers comprehensive information and insight into the history and significance of this important archaeological site. In 2018, the Medina Azahara archaeological complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Entry is free for citizens of the European Union. Visitors from non-EU countries pay a small entrance fee.

A closed gate prevents you from continuing along this route.

Non-cycling route in many sections. Fences with padlocks Not recommended for bikes Yes for hiking

Espiel is a Spanish municipality in the province of Córdoba, Andalusia. In 2019 it had 2,397 inhabitants. Its surface area is 437.26 km² and it has a density of 5.69 inhabitants/km².

Municipality located to the east of the province of Córdoba, on the border with Jaén. Most of it is located in the foothills of Sierra Morena, making the Guadalquivir River the border with the countryside. Therefore, the mountains, the river and the countryside are the three elements that determine the landscape. The first is part of the Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro Natural Park, and in it we can find vegetation of holm oaks, wild olive trees, stone and maritime pines and a population of melojo oak, rare in Andalusia. It is also an area of great fauna, hunting and livestock value. The second, which surrounds the town, is the axis of the landscape, life and history of the town; Due to the beauty of the meander, it is also known as the Andalusian Toledo. The third, populated by olive trees, places us in a truly Cordoba environment. The town, with an Iberian, Greek, Roman, and Muslim past, is located on a small elevation that dominates the course of the river that divides it into two neighborhoods, offering an unmistakable image. Declared a Historic-Artistic Site in 1969, it brings together a multitude of attractions and tourist attractions to visit, such as the bridge over the river, the Church of San Bartolomé, the Casa de las Tercias, its steep streets of white houses, or the Torre de Villaverde. Its Holy Week, declared of Tourist Interest, reaches its greatest splendor on the afternoon of Holy Thursday with the presence of the Roman Empire. It is one of the towns included in the Baético Romana Route.

The Puente de las Donadas or Puente de las Doncellas, is located over the Guadalquivir River and connects the Retamar neighborhood with the rest of the town. Also known as Puente Mayor, it is located in the town of Montoro, Córdoba, and belongs to the Commonwealth of Alto Guadalquivir.