Castellar Path

The Castellar footpath is one of those trails that both surprise and fascinate in equal measure. Its proximity to the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park offers enviable views of the Picacho and the Lapiaz de los Lanchares along the route. This, combined with a route with little traffic, the proximity of steep slopes covered in Mediterranean scrub and holm oaks that have managed to escape the advance of olive groves, and the presence of a small spring—as useful in the past as it is evocative today—makes walking along this old livestock track a true delight for the senses of anyone who considers themselves a nature lover. To reach it, the route starts from the greenway, where we will turn off onto a short stretch of road towards Gaena or Los Llanos de Don Juan (Lucena), before leaving it to take the Sauzadilla path. We will follow this path, most of which has recently been repaired, to its end, where it connects with the Bailalobos track which, although rather overgrown, will allow us to reach the Camino del Tesoro and, via this, the start of the Castellar track. Once we have covered the Castellar footpath, the route leads to the confluence of several streams, the most notable of which is the Jarcas, and provides access to the so-called Pelaos petrol station, or allows us to continue on to the Jarcas (or Borrallo) track. In this case, the route enters a beautiful holm oak forest which, at times, covers the path, its branches intertwining during a steep climb. It should be noted, however, that this section runs along a private road.