The Metedores' Path

The Camino de los Metedores footpath is the longest livestock track within the municipal district of Cabra, stretching for 18 kilometres. In the 19th century it was known as the Smugglers’ Path, although this name has now fallen into disuse (Luque and Pestana, 2003). It crosses the entire municipality, connecting the municipal districts of Monturque and Baena. This route follows the course of this old track for the most part, although at certain points it leaves it to offer a greater variety of paths, provide a break from the dominant tarmac and improve connectivity with the other proposed routes. The prevalence of tarmac on the route merely underscores the importance of this transport route and its extensive use for transport and access to the numerous neighbouring estates. From the perspective of this project, aimed at enhancing the public paths of Cabra, this route serves as a link between many of the paths previously proposed. The Cortijo de la Serona route, the Fuente de la B route, the Ermita de la Esperanza route, the Vereda de Calderón route, the Llanos del Espinar route and the route from Cabra to Monturque via the Camino de las Lomas – Portocarrero – are all linked by this ‘cross-country’ route, multiplying the possible itineraries and furthering one of the project’s initial objectives: the expansion of the network of trails on offer. The route itself passes through numerous iconic spots in the area. We’ll start our walk at Pava Loca, continuing past the Cortijo de Frías, the Santa María stream and the Arana Mill, with the nearby Melero slope. From here, once we have crossed the old Castro del Río track, we will turn off the Camino de los Metedores to head towards El Casal (or Cazar) and La Combarca via a track that connects with the Calderón footpath. This footpath will take us back to the Camino de los Metedores, passing first by the Ventorrillo de San José and the El Fiscal estate with its large main building. Once back on the Camino de los Metedores, this will take us to Monturque along a tarmac road that passes through the Matavinos footpath and the neighbouring estates of La Obra Pía, Lastres and San José.