Hiking on The Route of the Caliphate, from Cordoba to Granada

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Route of the Caliphate

“The Route of the Caliphate” is designated Major European Cultural Itinerary. The prestigious Foundation Legado Andalusí in co-operation with Otros Caminos has re-discovered this itinerary and developed it as a historical and cultural experience, connecting the cities of Cordoba and Granada with their world cultural heritages: the stunning “Mezquita” in Cordoba and the marvelous “Alhambra” in Granada.

Walking between Cordoba and Granada

This walking holiday explores the human and natural landscapes that mark out the famous Route of the Caliphate, between Cordoba and Granada. Once we get to Cordoba, immersing ourselves in its splendid past and its bustling present, we will then travel to the romantic white washed village of Zuheros, in the Subbética Mountains.

Sierras Subbeticas Natural Park

The Subbetica mountains (designated Nature Reserve and UNESCO Global Geopark), reach some 1,500 m above sea level and constitute an impressive limestone range southeast of the city of Cordoba. Since time immemorial they have been home to some of the most beautiful towns and villages in Andalusia, such as Priego de Córdoba, Carcabuey, Cabra, Zuheros and Luque… Age-old olive groves, holm- and gall-oaks grow on the red-coloured hillsides, hiding magical rock formations such as the Cueva de los Murciélagos (Bats’ Cave).

Moorish Castles

We are not limited to this nature reserve and its stately villages, however. We will also walk through the area surrounding a major fortress (Alcalá la Real) and the brief, yet rugged mountains that protect the plain and the Nazrid capital of Granada, heritage of a small, legendary village called Moclín, with another Moorish castle. Here you will walk on the Gollizno Route towards Tózar, where you can visit the Medieval Necropolis and the trenches and casemates dating from the Spanish Civil War.

Once in Granada itself, if the host of attractions on offer allow you time, you can still discover the secret of Moorish wells and waterways, search out the origins of famous poems in the walls of the Alhambra, take a stroll through the old Moorish neighbourhood, the Albayzín, packed with sounds and aromas, and try some tapas enjoying views out to the Sierra Nevada Mountains, already thinking of coming back soon!

Seasons

A         low season :    08/01 to 20/02/2025, 15/06 to 25/8/2025, 02/11 to 28/11/2025, 08/12 to 23/12/2025

B         high season      21/02 to 14/06/2025, 26/08 to 01/11/2025, 24/12 to 31/12/2025

Not possible to book this tour between 10 – 19 April, 25-30 April, 4-6 October and 28 November-7 December.

Logos Fpa El Legado Andalusí 2020 Color

Córdoba

Córdoba

Arrive in good time so as to visit the famous "Mezquita" (Grand Mosque). Later, a walk through the old Jewish quarter to see its beautiful patios and have tapas in its inns. Finally we suggest you to experience an authentic flamenco show to get you ready for a journey which has only just begun.  

Cordova-Zuheros by bus

Cordova-Zuheros by bus

You can still visit the famous "Mezquita" of Cordova today, before you take the public bus to Zuheros. After about 1 hour and a half by bus you arrive to the picturesque, romantic village of Zuheros. Your accommodation is in the centre of the village, next to the ruin of the castle.

Zuheros, río Bailón (12-17 km) o Cabra-Zuheros (21 km)

Zuheros, río Bailón (12-17 km) o Cabra-Zuheros (21 km)

Today you will go on a circular walk close to Zuheros, through the beautiful Bailón River Canyon. You can just walk along the river part of the Karst landscape, with good views over Zuheros and turn around when you feel like it. Or continue to the Cerro de Bramadero and enjoy the silence of this part of the Subbetica Nature Park. You can make an extra d-tour of 5 km to the Chorreras on the grassy high plateau. At the end you will meet the Bailón river again to return to Zuheros.    

Zagrilla-Priego de Córdoba (10 -17 km)

Zagrilla-Priego de Córdoba (10 -17 km)

A taxi will bring you to the start point, the village Zagrilla Alta. From Zagrilla you can get to Priego either on a short route of 9 km (230 m ascends) following the Colada del Camino del Hoyo; otherwise, take a longer route of 16,5 km (and 500m ascends), via the village of Carcabuey, through fields with streams flanked by dense quince trees, then crossing the Pollos or Jaula Mountains, where you will find an abundance of holm-oak and olive trees. Finally, you get to Priego along the old path to Rute. Your accommodation is right in the heart of the oldest quarter “Barrio de la Villa”, and you can relax with a session of Arab baths for free! (normally we book it for you at 18:00, you can add as well a massage on your own account)        

Priego-Alcalá la Real by taxi, circular hike (12,5 km)

Priego-Alcalá la Real by taxi, circular hike (12,5 km)

By taxi, travel to the next accomodation in Alcalá la Real (30 minutes). The route starts at the accommodation itself.  The walk first goes along old paths through walled olive groves, then you climb up to the large plateau via a beautiful path surrounded by sumacs, which are particularly spectacular in autumn (late October-early November) with their beautiful red fruits. Once on the plateau, you walk with beautiful views of both the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada and the imposing fortress of Alcalá. After your visit to the castle, walk back to your B&B in Alcalá.

Alcalá la Real-Tózar (Moclín) (8-17 km)

Alcalá la Real-Tózar (Moclín) (8-17 km)

After breakfast a short transfer by taxi (about 15-20 minutes) to an olive cooperation to start the walk through olive groves to the medieval village/fortress of Moclín. If you would like rather a shorter walk today you can ask the taxi to drop you in Moclín, and you start the route from there, between 6-8 km, and about 450 m ascends to Tozar From Moclín you can either head straight down through a forest and over a suspension bridge to Tózar (6km, 400m ascends), or else make first for Olivares and continue on the natural pass through the mountains to Tózar (8 km, 450 m ascends). You pass some anthropomorphic tombs dug out of the rock and the remains of a defensive system set up during the Spanish Civil War before reaching the quiet village where you can enjoy the sunset at the roof terrace of the hotel…

Tózar-Granada (taxi) & Alhambra

Tózar-Granada (taxi) & Alhambra

After breakfast a taxi will collect you and bring you directly to your hotel in Granada to spend the most of the last day visiting the palaces and gardens of the Alhambra (tickets not included in tour price). Later, take a stroll through the old Moorish neighbourhood, the Albayzín, packed with sounds and aromas, and try some tapas enjoying views out to the Sierra Nevada Mountains. At night you can have dinner in one of the ten most romantic restaurants of the world, with a view of the Alhambra.... Your charming hotel is right in the historical centre!

Granada, end of journey

Granada, end of journey

After breakfast the journey comes to an end in Granada. Maybe you still have some time to stroll through the Alcaicería, full of little Arab shops and souvenirs before returning home. Or book an extra night, as there is so much to see and do in this charming town!

Accommodation with breakfast

Included

7 nights

Information on the trip

Included

Luggage transport

Included

Telephone helpline

Included

Taxi

Included

1x

Organised taxi to come to the start point of the route or to be picked up at the end of the route.

Services not included

Supplement for single occupation

Not Included

150/195€

supplement high season

Not Included

79€

Supplement start on Fridays and Saturdays

Not Included

30/40€€

Questions about the travel

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