Sierra Morena

Why visit Sierra Morena

This part of the Sierra Morena forms Jaén’s northern rampart, the long range that divides Andalucía from the plains of La Mancha. Here it is a landscape of rounded hills, granite outcrops, cork and holm oak forest and dramatic gorges such as Despeñaperros, the historic pass through which travellers have entered Andalucía for centuries. The comarca is steeped in history, from Iberian sanctuaries and Roman mining towns to great battlefields, and the eighteenth-century planned settlements founded by Carlos III to repopulate the region. With wild scenery, rich heritage and few crowds, it suits walkers, history enthusiasts and travellers heading north or south who want a memorable stop on the way.

Main attractions in Sierra Morena

Despeñaperros Natural Park near Santa Elena offers dramatic rock formations, viewpoints and the prehistoric paintings of the Cueva de los Muñecos, while the Cascada de la Cimbarra near Aldeaquemada is a spectacular waterfall in its own protected area. Santa Elena also has an interpretation centre on the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa of 1212, and Bailén remembers its 1808 victory over Napoleon’s army. Baños de la Encina is crowned by one of the best preserved Caliphal castles in Spain, and the ancient Iberian and Roman city of Cástulo lies near Linares, the mining town where the guitarist Andrés Segovia was born. La Carolina keeps the grid plan of its eighteenth-century foundation. Trails suit hiking, mountain biking and spotting deer and raptors, and game dishes are a local speciality.