The Camino Mozarabe from Granada to Cordoba (Saint James Way)

, , ,

The Way of Saint James or Camino de Santiago

The Camino de Santiago de Compostela or St James Way, is the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela Cathedral  in Galicia in north-western Spain. Legend has it that the remains of the apostle Saint James the Great, are buried here. As pilgrims traditionally started their journey from their own home, different Camino ways emerged over the years. Probably one of the most ancient Pilgrim’s ways in Spain is this one: The “Camino Mozarabe” to Santiago de Compostela.

The “Camino Mozarabe” in Andalusia

The name honors Christians (called Mozarabs) who were living in the Muslim territory of Al-Andalus and knew about the discovery of the remains of Santiago Apostle in Compostela. They risked their lives to travel to Santiago, on the immense distance that separated the South to the remains of the Apostle in the North. They not only had to cross on foot Al-Andalus; they still had to take the Via de la Plata travelling through Castilian lands to reach the north of the Peninsula.

On foot from Granada to Cordoba along the Camino Mozarabe

The tour Camino Mozarabe of Santiago gives you the opportunity to walk about 120 km in 6 stages and connect on foot the cities of Granada and Cordoba with their world cultural heritages: the marvelous “Alhambra” in Granada and the stunning “Mezquita” in Córdoba. Betake a journey through time and across unique landscapes and natural reserves that feature along the way. Walk through landscapes with tranquil hills of olive groves, holm-oak woods, vegetable gardens and vineyards, rushing streams, imposing watchtowers, proud castles, impeccable farmhouses and humble farmsteads, all giving the backdrop to an unforgettable visit. Enjoy the villages, castles, churches and towns that stretch before you just waiting to be discovered, such as Moclín, Tózar, Alcalá la Real, Alcaudete, Zuheros, Castro del Río, Espejo, Baena, that now give their name to some of the world’s finest olive oils. You will find them the perfect place to relax and recover lost energy with the best food and wines this region has to offer.

Read the Camino Mozarabe

You can read more about the Camino Mozarabe in the book Sinning across Spain from Ailsa Piper, she starts the Camino en Granada and writes about her experience.

Day 1: Arrival Granada

Day 1: Arrival Granada

From  Málaga or Granada airport you will take the local comfortable bus to Granada city, where you will stay in a cozy hotel in the historical center of the town. You can stroll around the cathedral and its old silk market, take some drinks and be invited to the rich tapas. Finally, we suggest you experience an authentic flamenco show to get you ready for a journey, which has only just begun.

Day 2: Granada, transfer to surroundings Pinos Puente, on foot to Moclín / Tozar. 16 km, 900 m ascends, 550m descends

Day 2: Granada, transfer to surroundings Pinos Puente, on foot to Moclín / Tozar. 16 km, 900 m ascends, 550m descends

After breakfast a taxi will bring you to the surroundings of Pino Puente and continue with your luggage to your destiny while you walk via Olivares to Moclin. From Moclín you continue crossing a suspension bridge to cross the river and between almond and olive trees you approach the anthropomorphic tombs dug out of the rock and the remains of a defensive system set up during the Spanish Civil War nearby Tozar Walk up to the friendly hostel Rincón de Marcelo and enjoy their hospitality and the marvelous homemade cooking of the wife and daughter of Marcelo! A shorter hike of 9 km is also possible until Moclín, where you can be picked up.

Day 3: Tózar-Alcalá. 19 km, 450 m ascend

Day 3: Tózar-Alcalá. 19 km, 450 m ascend

You will be brought back to the Malalmuerzo fountain close to Moclín, from where you continue your route to Alcalá. Here you can visit the majestic "La Mota" fortress with its thick castle walls, imposing towers and the old cathedral built by the reconquering Christians within its confines defending the town of Alcalá.

Day 4: Alcalá la Real - Alcaudete. 19,5 km, 340 m ascend

Day 4: Alcalá la Real – Alcaudete. 19,5 km, 340 m ascend

A taxi will drive you to Puertollano, from where you walk the 19-km remaining to Alcaudete.  You will walk through almonds and olive trees to Ventas del Carrizal,  to continue to cross the San Juan river.  The track leads you to the Casas del Marroquín walking along the river with the orchards and crops. You continue walking on the old Cañada Real de Fuente Amuña  to  the Santuario de la Fuensanta by now in Alcaudete.

Day 5: Alcaudete- Baena. 16,5 km, 265m ascend (without transfer 25 km, 292 m ascend)

Day 5: Alcaudete- Baena. 16,5 km, 265m ascend (without transfer 25 km, 292 m ascend)

You can  walk it all or take your luggage taxi  to avoid the asphalt roads and the busy national one. Nice walk along the Salobral lake, where you might see flamingos! Your destiny today is Baena, an old town, famous for its olive oil! Your accommodation is the 3-star hotel la Casa Grande, right in the historical center, in a “Casa Señorial” from the beginning of 20th century.

Day 6:  Baena - Castro del Río/Espejo, 20 km, 130 m ascend

Day 6:  Baena – Castro del Río/Espejo, 20 km, 130 m ascend

Today you just walk out of your hotel to continue to Castro del Río, another village famous for its olive oil and the local crafts as furniture made from olive wood, which has been exported as far as Japan. Here you will stay in a rural lodge or, in case your accommodation is in the next village, you can take something in a bar while you wait to be picked up to be brought to Espejo, with the magnificent Castillo de Alcalat, built in the early fourteenth century. You will stay in a charming rehabilitated hundred-years-old village house.    

Day 7: Castro/Espejo-Córdoba. 20 km, 280 m ascend

Day 7: Castro/Espejo-Córdoba. 20 km, 280 m ascend

You will be driven to the starting point to begin the route, to skip the the asphalt road and make the stage shorter and bearable! You will walk right into the town of Córdoba, cross the  Guadalquivir river by the old Roman bridge and pass along the Big Mosque versus Cathedral before arriving to your hotel.

Day 8: Cordova, fin

Day 8: Cordova, fin

After breakfast this tour will be finished, but why not ask for an extra night in this beautiful town?

Accommodation with breakfast

Included

7 nights

Transfer to the starting point

Included

Information on the trip

Included

Telephone helpline

Included

Luggage transport

Included

Passport Pilgrim route Camino Santiago

Included

Services not included

Extra night in Granada

Not Included

from 40€

1 night

Supplement for single occupation

Not Included

130/150/170€

7 nights

Mid-season Supplement

Not Included

45€

from 1-24 June, 25 August to 4 October, 13 October-31 October

supplement high season

Not Included

85€

from 11 to 21 March, 1 April to 31 May, and 4-12 October

Supplement start on Saturday, Sunday or Monday

Not Included

15/30€

Solo traveller supplement

Not Included

160€

8 days

Questions about the travel

If you have any questions or suggestions about this tour you can use this simple form, we will respond immediately.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

¿Do you need help?