TRAIL LOS MARINES-CORTELAZOR-LOS MARINES
We begin the route from the washhouse and pillar on Calle Fuente, which we follow until we reach Plaza Carlos III.
Once there, we take Calle Olivo until we reach the pharmacy, where we turn left, exiting the village on a downhill path.
The path goes through a series of ups and downs, always between stone walls. A few meters ahead, we reach a crossroads, which we take straight ahead. The predominant vegetation consists of olive trees and garden plots, although we will pass through an area with some cork oaks and a few gall oaks by the path that are worth noting (1).
In addition to olive trees, we will see small oaks growing almost against the walls, as well as ferns, which are protected for being vulnerable, and other shrub species. Shortly after, we reach another crossroads, taking it to the left (2).
From here, there are no more fences on our left side; we will see chestnut trees and reforested pines on the left and chestnut trees on the right. Continuing along the trail, we reach a junction where we take the path to the right.
The cork oak will be the predominant tree, providing economic benefits to the inhabitants of the Sierra thanks to the harvesting of its bark, the cork.
Further ahead, we reach a new fork (3), taking the descending path on our left.
We will see how the vegetation on our right regenerates the forest after a fire, developing a dense scrub, a precursor to what can later become a Mediterranean forest.
Continuing the descent, we reach another fork, which we take to the left, where we begin to see more cork oaks on our right and cork oaks and some holm oaks on the left.
Following the path, we pass by two farms with houses, dedicated to a silvopastoral use, combining livestock farming with forestry. After passing through the aforementioned area, a few meters ahead, we no longer have a fence on the right, where we observe a holm oak forest, which also extends to the other side of the fence on the left.
We arrive at a crossroads (4), which we take to the right. After walking a few meters past the crossroads, we see a notable holm oak on the right. We now begin a small ascent that, after descending and crossing a small stream, leaves us at the foot of a somewhat tough section.
The ascent we start, leaving a house on our right, is somewhat challenging but will be rewarded with the views we find at the top. But first, we will observe the vegetation along the way, more interesting if done in spring, when we can see the colorful flowers offered by the scrub, rockrose, heather, lavender, and gorse…
Once at the top (5), we can see Los Marines, Fuenteheridos, Navahermosa, and even Cortegana if we look closely, as well as a general perspective of the natural and artificial systems of the sierra. We continue with a descent, which, passing through the shady area, shows us different vegetation, with chestnut and downy oaks by the path, followed by another ascent that starts almost at the foot of a house with fruit trees, and to the right, cork oaks with some holm oaks.
From this last ascent, the final stretch of the route begins. Descending, we see Cortelazor. We see cork oaks on both sides with some holm oaks and various shrubs at their feet. The descent ends at the foot of a stream, where there is a fountain called Chorrito Ramón on the right (6).
After crossing the stream by the bridge, a few meters ahead, we reach the Los Marines-Cortelazor road, taking it to the left, entering the village via the Hinojales road. A few meters later, we see a sign indicating the town center, which leads us to Plaza de Andalucía, where we can refresh ourselves at the fountain. We descend Calle Paralejo, located to the right of the Parish Church of Nuestra Señora de los Remedios if we face its facade. Descending, along a cobbled path that remains cobbled until we reach the bridge crossing the Guijarra River, we pass by a children’s park called Carlos Cano.
We leave the village between stone walls, and beyond these, holm oaks and olive trees first, then cork oaks. The path goes through ups and downs in a shady area (1), from where we can see the La Coronada hermitage in the valley descending on our left. Continuing along the trail, we observe how the previously sparse vegetation of holm oaks or cork oaks with little or no shrub becomes more rugged, with a denser shrub cover, such as heather, rockrose, and broom.
The area we pass through is of great beauty; the valley opening to our right as we descend has great landscape value, housing, among other things, the “Charco Malo,” said to be one of the last refuges for wolves. The descent, which has become steeper, leads to a bridge (2) crossing the Guijarra River, after which we open a gate, pass through, and close it behind us.
After the gate, an ascent begins, and although the gradient is not very steep, its constancy could be challenging. We divide this ascent into two sections. The first takes us to the place called “El Barrial.” This section is free of fences, with a vegetation of holm oak forest with typical Mediterranean shrubs. Before reaching the end of the first section, we pass through a meadow with an explanatory mural from the Junta de Andalucía. We continue climbing and reach an old camping-cortijo, “El Barrial,” where there is a crossroads (3) that we take to the right, continuing the ascent. If we go down, we will reach Corterrangel.
From this small hill, we have a privileged view of Cortelazor. From the crossroads, the second section begins. After a slight descent, we continue the ascent, now between fences, finding mainly shrubs that in this area reach considerable heights. During the ascent, we leave a path on our right, which circles the climb and rejoins the main path we took. Climbing, we reach a crossroads, where we continue straight ahead. In this area, we see pines replacing chestnuts due to a lack of forest maintenance. We keep climbing, reaching a ridge with rockrose and some scattered cork oaks; the fencing exists only on the left.
We then pass through a eucalyptus grove, a species that does not enhance the biodiversity of the Park. The path, going through eucalyptus trees, reaches a fork, which we take to the right (5). After a small climb, we reach the end of the eucalyptus grove.
From here, we see Fuenteheridos and our final destination, Los Marines, on the right, and the Aracena castle on the left (6). We continue between fences, where a use for cattle farming develops; we see a meadow with shrubs and scattered trees. The path begins to descend; on both sides, we see farms with different uses and therefore different vegetation: holm oaks, cork oaks, chestnuts, orchards, olive trees, and downy oaks by the path. In this area, we pass through various gates, which we do not open or close.
Once the descent is over, we continue straight and join a path (7), a few meters ahead. The path leads to another crossroads, where we take the right path. After this crossroads, we see various agricultural operations, notably vineyards, producing rich must. We continue around these vineyards and later join a path, which we take to the right, where we see chestnut trees parallel to the path. This path leads directly to the Los Marines-Cortelazor road, which we take to the left upon reaching it. We walk a few meters along the road and reach Los Marines via Calle Isaac Peral, leading us to the washhouse, where our itinerary ends.
Note:
Information obtained from the association Quercus, education, and sport.