Subbetica
Nature reserve
Luque enjoys a privileged setting in terms of natural beauty, nestled within the Sierras Subbéticas of Córdoba and home to the Laguna del Salobral (or Laguna del Conde) within its municipal boundaries. Particular attention should be paid to the vegetation; the centuries-old gall oaks, with their twisted and lush forms, are especially beautiful. But as in any Mediterranean mountain range, the holm oak is the queen of our hills. As for wildlife, our hills are teeming with life, home to such a variety of animals as: wild boars, wildcats, genets, weasels, various species of eagles and harriers, owls, tawny owls, rabbits, hares, partridges, etc. Under the name ofthe Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park,we find an area protected by the Regional Government of Andalusia in 1988, of great ecological and scenic value, covering an area of 31,568 hectares, spread irregularly across eight municipalities in the Association: Cabra, Carcabuey, Doña Mencía, Iznájar, Luque, Priego de Córdoba, Rute and Zuheros. The most characteristic feature of this mid-mountain area is the beautiful karstic formation of its limestone rock. The terrain, with steep slopes and high elevations, rises above beautiful, narrow valleys. The vegetation of this protected area, typically Mediterranean, is rich in holm oaks and gall oaks, with maples and hackberries also present. One of the park’s major attractions is the presence of numerous endemic species – Iberian, Baetician, North African and local – and others whose blooms occur throughout the year, such as irises, daffodils, peonies and orchids; alongside these are a number of exceptionally beautiful shrubs, including the mastic tree and the wild olive, amongst others. Visitors to this region will traverse mountain ranges of great geological significance, with contrasting and beautiful landscapes that offer visitors a truly unique experience. Of particular note is the Sierra de Cabra, which was declared a ‘Site of Natural Interest’ in 1929. Its highest peak, known as El Picacho, stands at an altitude of 1,217 metres. El Picacho is regarded as the ‘balcony of Andalusia’, from which, on clear days, one can see not only the most important peaks of the Subbética range but also the Sierra Nevada mountain range. The Sierra de Cabra offers interesting geological formations such as the Lapiaz de los Lanchares. The Natural Park contains the highest peak in the province of Córdoba: La Tiñosa, at 1,570 metres. Other mountain ranges of great beauty and geological richness are those of Rute and Horconera; the latter is home to the aforementioned peak of La Tiñosa alongside the Bermejo peak, at 1,476 metres. In both these foothills, one can observe the majestic flights of the golden eagle and the Bonelli’s eagle, as well as the peregrine falcon and the Egyptian vulture. Near Rute lies the beautiful setting of the La Hoz river gorge. In the Cabra massif mentioned at the start, near the Lobatejo and Abuchite peaks, the soaring flight of the griffon vulture takes centre stage alongside the wheatears. The vegetation features mastic trees, broom and rosemary. Other peaks of interest include Los Pollos and La Gallinera, near Carcabuey. The Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park offers various hiking and mountain trails that allow visitors to contemplate the beauty and uniqueness of this ecological area, routes that provide an opportunity to discover a wide variety of flora and fauna.
