The best MTB trails around Campiña Baja

Connection with the Campiñuela and the route that leads to Rabanales and the Alcaidia path

many interesting clues around

In Lopera, we find one of the best examples of castles built by the Military Order of Calatrava in the province of Jaén. Declared a Cultural Monument in 1991, this fortress retains its original walled enclosure, although over the years it has also served as a residence and, in the mid-20th century, even as a winery.

The castle of Castro del Rio, known locally as Castillo de Castro del Rio, is located in the centre of the village of the same name. The village of Castro del Rio already existed in Roman times when it was known as Postumianus Castra, Castra Soricaria or Castra Julia. In Moorish times the town was called Qasida or Qasrut and described as a 'strong'. In the 11th century the town fell under the rule of the Taifa of Granada. In the 12th century, under the rule of the Almohads, a walled medina was built. The castle was part of and situated on a corner of the city walls and probably dates from this time. In 1232 the town was conquered by Saint Ferdinand III, King of Castile. He used this border fortress as a stronghold against recurring Moorish attacks. In 1565 the town and castle of Castro del Rio were sold to the Marquis of Priego. It remained the property of the Marquis until the reign of Ferdinand VI, King of Spain, in the mid-18th century. The current ruins of the Castro del Río castle look very dilapidated. The interior of the castle cannot be visited.

Located on the Caño Escaravita estate, just beyond the outlying neighborhood of Santa María de Trassierra. We found it in the western Sierra peri-urban district, next to the crossroads leading to the Ermitas and the Mirador de las Niñas, about fifteen kilometers from Córdoba. This is a zoomorphic water fountain on a pedestal from the Caliphate period, dating back to the 10th century. The sculpture represents a small elephant. Made of gray limestone from the Sierra Morena, it served as a support for the spout. The fountain is made up of three components: a water collection basin, a masonry pillar attached to it on its north side (which leads to a masonry irrigation ditch), and a rectangular pool located to the west of the canal. https://amedinacordoba.com/fuente-del-elefante/

The Baths of Poppaea are a natural stretch of small waterfalls alternating with small pools that follow the course of the Molino stream, near the mouth of the Guadiato River. This area was visited by Christopher Columbus. Its name comes from the place where the Cordoba poets of the Cántico Group used to visit, as during the Franco regime it was a safe place, away from the scrutiny of this intellectual group, as well as the homosexuality of some of them. One day, three members of the group, Pablo García Baena, Juan Bernier, and Ricardo Molina, were walking when they saw some girls bathing in the stream. The latter exclaimed, "Look, like Poppaea in the bath," referring to the Roman Empress Poppaea Sabina, a prominent figure at the time due to the film The Sign of the Cross (1932), in which actress Claudette Colbert appeared bathing in donkey's milk, just as the Empress did. The girls told the residents of Trassierra about this incident, and from then on, the story spread and became known as the Baths of Poppea. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%C3%B1os_de_Popea

A waterfall known as the "first spring of the Bejarano," whose water flow has always been active. There are few remains of an ancient structure from which the water flows: the aquifer catchment. The Romans knew how to harness this important spring, unique in these mountains, due to the large amount of water it provides every season (estimated at 20,000 to 35,000 m3/day). (Source: https://www.conocetusfuentes.com/ficha_detalle.php?id_fuente=10057)

Please note that this highlight is also listed in the description as a parking spot. However, we found that it is not allowed to drive up to the indicated parking spot/start of the route with a car. Just park near the jardin de popea and start the hike from there, it will add 2.5 km to the distance but is not too bad.