San Cristóbal Lagoon and El Pedroso

The San Cristóbal Lagoon is one of the main wetlands in Cabra and is situated very close to the town centre. Despite this, it remains one of the least well-known natural areas in the town, a fact which often leads to its conservation being compromised, particularly due to poor agricultural practices. Sites of this kind are of vital importance for the area’s herpetofauna and birds, with species such as the common coot and the mallard being common in the area. This route starts at the Huertas de Alcantarilla roundabout, situated on the road from Cabra to Lucena, and, heading towards El Fondón, leaves the Cabra river valley and its riverside vegetation, climbing the slope of the river terrace. As we gain height, an unbeatable panoramic view unfolds before us of the town’s two oldest neighbourhoods, El Cerro and La Villa, with their walled enclosure and the tower of the Parish Church of La Asunción rising above the skyline. The olive groves, which at times will block the path through the area known as the Cañada de Garabato, will open up to form the large open space of the Laguna de San Cristóbal, on a section of the Vereda del Tovar, an old road between Cabra and Lucena, much of which has now disappeared. From here we will take the Llano Madero path to return to the outskirts of the town centre and take the Puente Mojardín path, or Rute road, towards the San José Municipal Cemetery. At this point we will turn off this road to enter El Pedroso. The walk through El Pedroso will take us from one orchard to another, with the River Cabra as the central axis of the route and the setting of the Fuente del Río spring and the hill that shelters it as a backdrop. The cool air, the sound of the water and the varied scents of these crops will fully engage our senses within a landscape composed of a complex and surprising mosaic of vegetation and buildings.