Goat to the Llanos del Espinar

A picturesque landscape with picnic areas, historic ruins and rich biodiversity, ideal for hiking and birdwatching.

Setting off from the Ciudad Deportiva, we will head towards the area known as Cerrillo de la Horca. We will pass through a scattering of houses and vegetable gardens before reaching Avenida de Belén, heading towards the site of Fuente de las Piedras, a former resting place and watering hole for livestock, now converted into a public area with tables and barbecue facilities, and a scenic spot. Taking every precaution, we will cross the Doña Mencía road and head towards the River Santa María along the old Nueva Carteya track. Once past the scattered houses of the Alcaidía area and having crossed the River Santa María, we will reach a eucalyptus grove, right at the junction with the stretch known as Cuesta Melero. Here, amongst these reforested trees, we will see the ruins of the old Arana Mill. This steep, steep-sided slope, part of the old road to Córdoba, passes by the Chumba farmhouse and leads to Lugar de las Lagunillas, another old watering hole and resting place for livestock, one of the largest in the municipality, situated at the junction of the old road to Córdoba with the road from Montoro to Rute. This path, offering spectacular views over the Sierra de Cabra and featuring living ditches with abundant and varied natural vegetation, will take us across the Rihuelo stream and the first foothills formed by the Marchenilla stream until we reach a naturalised water pool that has been colonised by species typical of lake areas, such as reeds and even poplars. An interesting hotspot of biodiversity and of great importance for birds. At the end of this route, we can turn left onto a track belonging to the La Cubana farmhouse, which connects with the road passing through the Llanos del Espinar (A-3129). Opposite this large farmhouse, we find a small shrine dedicated to Our Lady of Fátima. Furthermore, if we continue for about 50 metres, we will find another path branching off to the left, which will take us into the Llanos del Espinar via Calle Córdoba