Subbética Cordobesa Region
The Sierras Subbéticas nature and heritage within everyone's reach
The kingdom of the ammonites. A mountainous territory in the heart of Andalusia.
The region of Subbética Cordobesa is located in the geographical center of Andalusia, south of the province of Cordoba. It is made up of fourteen unique and charming municipalities. It is home to the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park, declared in 1989. In 2006 the Natural Park was also recognized as a member of the European Geoparks Network by the European Committee and since 2015 has the designation of UNESCO Global Geopark.
Our UNESCO World Geopark and Natural Park of the Sierras Subbéticas, carries an implicit history of approximately 250 million years of the complex evolution of the sea of Tetis. The collision between Africa and Iberia generated the Betic mountain range where today there are mountains, valleys and white villages surrounded by an impressive karstic landscape. It has an area of 32,056 ha. and brings together eight of the fourteen municipalities of the region which are Cabra, Carcabuey, Doña Mencía, Iznájar, Luque, Priego de Córdoba, Rute and Zuheros.
The Sierras Subbéticas have also been declared a Special Protection Area for Birds (SPA) and a Special Conservation Area (SCA) of the Natura 2000 Network. They have 17 habitats of community interest that are home to a large number of endangered species (11 in the Andalusian Catalogue of Threatened Species), as well as the greatest floral diversity in the province of Córdoba (more than 1,880 species), including some endemic species that are exclusive to these sierras.
Ecotourism lovers will find welcoming and outgoing people, and a wide range of accommodations adapted to the needs of the visitor and with a business philosophy based on the sustainability of the territory. For us it is essential that everyone can enjoy the destination with authentic ecotourism experiences that are accessible and inclusive.
Accessible hiking and bicycle touring on the Olive Oil Greenway
One of the star products of the Subbética region is the Vía Verde del Aceite, an old railway route that has been enhanced, which runs from the Linares station in Jaén to Puente Genil in Córdoba. More than 128 km long for hikers, cyclists and other non-motorized vehicles. Much of this route runs through areas of great scenic diversity as the Bailon River Canyon in Zuheros where you can see a variety of birds. This is an accessible route that can be done by all types of public.
Savoring the best extra virgin olive oils in the world
That's right, we have the best AOVES in the world as attested by the awards received for being a mountain olive grove subject to a traditional harvesting system. The AOVES of the Subbética are protected by one of the three protected designations of origin of the area such as Baena, Lucena and Priego de Córdoba.
Once the visitor enters the region, he/she will be able to visit the ancient olive trees, learn about the traditional process of harvesting and extraction of olive oil and taste and distinguish the different types of oils. In short, they will have in their possession the keys to the star product of Andalusian gastronomy.
Meet with a local guide the picturesque white villages of the Subbetica and its natural jewels.
Archaeological sites, small craft stores, local museums, castles, churches and other natural gems such as the Cueva de los Murciélagos in Zuheros, are places that visitors should not miss. In short, fourteen villages that perfectly merge the monumental heritage, with its rich landscape and natural wealth, its gastronomy and ancestral traditions of great solera.