Natural Park
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Natural Park

The Natural Park of the Sierras Subbéticas is located on the northern edge of the Betic Mountain Range, which in turn is divided into the Sierras Subbéticas to the north, the Penibetic Mountain Range to the south, and the Intrabetic Depression in the center.

From a geographical perspective, it presents itself to the visitor as a land of rugged, labyrinthine, and rough terrain due to its typically Mediterranean formation of Alpine origin. Its landscape is defined by limestone rocks that harbor a great paleontological richness with countless fossil remains of ammonites (extinct mollusks) that can be found in various points and alternate with dolines, poljes, lapiaz, and abundant caves.

It covers an area of 32,056 hectares and, due to its great geological richness, it was recognized by UNESCO as a geopark. It includes, either wholly or partially, the municipalities of Cabra, Rute, Carcabuey, Priego de Córdoba, Luque, Iznájar, Zuheros, and Doña Mencía.

From a landscape perspective, one of the most interesting places is the Sierra de Cabra. From El Picacho, the name of its summit, one can see five Andalusian provinces, in addition to being a privileged balcony to the polje of Nava de Cabra. On its summit stands the Sanctuary to the Virgin of the Sierra. Other mountains of great interest are those of Rute and Horconera. In the latter, the peak of Tiñosa with its 1,570 meters, the highest elevation in the province of Córdoba, can be found. Also noteworthy is the Cave of the Bats in Zuheros, declared a Natural Monument, situated at about 980 meters above sea level and containing internally rooms of great beauty with stalactites and stalagmites.

FLORA

Due to its geographical location, the heterogeneity of its relief, the limestone of its soils, and the climatic conditions, the park boasts numerous endemics and species with restricted distribution. The vegetation cover is typically Mediterranean, and within it, we can distinguish forests, shrubs and grasslands, riverside forests, and rocky communities.

FAUNA

The peculiarities described in the previous section also affect the fauna that has adapted to this environment. We can find more northern species such as Cabrera water shrew, blind mole, short-toed treecreeper, etc.

Among reptiles, we can find the European pond turtle, the fire salamander... There is a significant community of birds of prey in the numerous rocky cliffs: Bonelli's eagle, Eurasian eagle-owl, peregrine falcon, and griffon vulture. Regarding mammals, the wildcat, the beech marten, or the Cabrera water shrew stand out, the latter in a precarious situation.

Visitor Center of the Natural Park

The Santa Rita Visitor Center is located in the heart of the Natural Park of the Sierras Subbéticas, specifically on the A-339 road between Cabra and Priego de Córdoba. It is a Visitor Center that shows the visitor the geological phenomena responsible for the peculiar physiognomy of the Sierras Subbéticas.

Inside, it features numerous interactive elements about the natural and cultural heritage of the Sierras Subbéticas. A notable part of the space is dedicated to geological resources and the Geopark. A giant sculpture of an ammonite welcomes the visitor, symbolizing the importance given to the geological heritage in this territory.

From there, two hiking trails depart for families: the Enrique Triano or Santa Rita Trail and the Mirador de la Cabrera Trail.

158 km away

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Almedinilla Benamejí Cabra Carcabuey Doña Mencía Encinas Reales Fuente Tójar Iznájar Lucena Luque Palenciana Priego de Córdoba Rute Zuheros
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