Gardopaz Path

Gardopaz Path

A route featuring natural vegetation, olive trees and the Puente de la Sima bridge, ideal for hiking and enjoying unique landscapes and historic paths.
The Vereda del Duque is one of the main livestock tracks within the municipal area of Cabra. Although it is now largely overgrown along its entire length, it originally ran from the Fuente de El Chorrillo, at the junction with the Colada de Baena and opposite the Cordel de la Fuente del Chorrillo, heading towards the mountains and passing through such iconic spots as the Camino de Juan de Escama, the Fuente del Lobo or the Fuente de los Frailes on the Camino de San Marcos, and ending at the confluence of the Arroyo de los Frailes with the Cabra–Alcalá la Real road. The section in question, within the Vereda del Duque, is known as the Vereda de Carne del Gardopaz. Or Gardopar. This name derives from the hill of the same name that the path originally crossed, hence the name being applied to the whole route based on a part of it. In the same way, the Vereda del Duque is also known as the Vereda del Chorrillo in the vicinity of the Fuente del Chorrillo. This route is of great interest due to the stretches of natural vegetation that the path passes through towards its end. Dense kermes oak groves criss-crossed by a narrow track which, even today, marks the route of the old cattle track that runs through the Gardopaz valley. This valley has been carved out over the years by the Tejonera stream, creating a deep gully in the terrain which even led to the construction of the so-called Puente de la Sima bridge so that the railway could cross this geographical feature. However, before venturing into this haven of natural vegetation, we will begin our walk on the Subbética Greenway, following the Camino de la Sima for some distance until we reach the Tejonera stream. This will be our guide; by following it, we will enter the heart of the olive grove and reach the Juan de Escama path, also known as the Llanos de Enrique path. From this path, and after walking briefly to the right, we will rejoin the Gardopaz track, passing through a cattle gate and taking paths towards the Puente de la Sima.