El Hornachuelos Natural Park It is a green oasis in the province of Córdoba.
Although cities have become the meccas of travelers, the truth is that natural settings increasingly represent the escape route from the suffocating routine of our daily lives. That is why, right here in Córdoba, this delight awaits us, let's see. What to see and do in Hornachuelos Park.
Hornachuelos Natural Park
As we said, It is in the province of Córdoba, to the west, and It has 67.202 hectares. It has been a natural park since 1989.
What does this wonder contain? Well, it jealously guards one of the Mediterranean forest ecosystems best preserved in the Sierra Morena, a mountain range in the south of the peninsula. Together with the Sierra de Aracena and Pichos de Aroche Natural Park and the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park, it forms the Dehesas de Sierra Morena Biosphere Reserve, great in its biodiversity.
What type of vegetation We find it in the Hornachuelos Natural Park? There is a growth where the climate is subhumid, and here we find holm oaks, cork oaks and gall oaks, albardera roses and sagebrush.
Where the climate changes a little, approaching the Guadalquivir plain, there is wild olives, wild blondes, sarsaparillas and alcandóreas. And where there is more human activity, with logging, grazing and so on, we see more low-lying vegetation such as carob trees, palm hearts, mastic trees, cornicabras, myrtles, strawberry trees or heathers, For example.
Broadly speaking, the natural vegetation of the forest is made up of a Mediterranean sclerophyllous grove of holm oaks and cork oaks, more diverse in some areas. And it is true, unfortunately, that in the areas where man has had or still has a lot of activity and presence Native vegetation has diminished sometimes even disappearing in favor of introduced species and crops.
And what about the fauna of Hornachuelos Natural Park? It is in good condition, thanks to the vegetation, and we can basically say that there are a good number of predators. But to be more specific, there are many birds, blackbirds, woodpeckers, warblers, great tits, black vultures, griffon vultures, golden and imperial eagles, wolves, foxes, wild cats, weasels, otters, deer, wild boars…
And of course, in the rivers there are carp, bream, barbels, rnas, toads, snakes and salamanders, among others. This beautiful nature coexists with very few people. The population density of the region is low, There are few Ruban centers, scattered and of not much relevance, adding up to a total of 23.455 people.
These people live in White villages, typical of AndalusiaThe largest and most prepared for tourism is hornachuelos same, at the southeastern end of the park, just 62 kilometers from Cordoba, but there are other destinations that we recommend such as Saint Callistus, with its convent of the Discalced Carmelites and Saint Nicholas of the Port, on the banks of the river.
The best way to get to the park is by car., following a beautiful route from Córdoba to the village of Hornachuelos. Without a car, you can take the San Sebastián buses that directly link Córdoba with Hornachuelos four times a day. Or take a taxi that costs around 50 or 60 euros.
What to see and do in the Hornachuelos Natural Park
To find out What to see and do in Hornachuelo Natural Park there Visitors Center which is located on the Huerta del Rey estate, which is in turn owned by the Department of the Environment. It is located 1.3 kilometers from Hornachuelos, towards San Calixto.
This place It has an information and interpretation center where you can learn about the flora, fauna and relief of the park with audiovisual media, permanent exhibitions about what we can do here and there is even a restaurant and a recreational area.
And, the local product sales premises and a place where Horses and donkeys can be rented to make the routes inside the park. It is from here that most of the trails begin and where the special care area for local birds of prey operates.
Speaking of trekking, So, there is seven routes possible: Bembézar, Rabilarga, Herrerias, Guadalora, The Eagle, Botanio and Los Angeles.
- Bembezar: It is a 13-kilometre linear route. It is of low difficulty, requires authorisation and can be completed in four hours. The last section is paved and goes up from the river to the dam.
- Long-tailed: It is a circular route of 700 metres. It is of low difficulty and takes just 30 minutes. It is adapted for older people and the disabled and has information in Braille.
- Ironworks: It is a circular route, 4.8 kilometres long and of low difficulty. You can complete it in two hours.
- Guadalora: It has a linear route of 7 kilometers. Its difficulty is medium and it takes three hours. Authorization is required. From the Fuente del Conejo to the Molino de la Paloma there is a 800-meter drop.
- The Eagle: The route is linear, 12 kilometres long and of medium difficulty. It takes five hours to complete and there are many climbs and descents, sometimes steep.
- Botanical: It covers 1.6 kilometers, so it takes half an hour. Its difficulty is medium-low and does not require authorization.
- The Angels: It is 3.9 kilometres long, of medium-low difficulty and takes about an hour and a quarter to complete. It does not require a permit, and like the Botanical Trail, it runs through Hornachuelos.
Following with the local trails and routes We can add these others: Pericuñarra Trail, Route of the Murals, Trail of the Crosses, Las Escalonias, Las Erillas and the Gambuco Trail.
- Pericuñarra Trail: It is a linear route of 560 meters, of medium difficulty, which takes 20 minutes.
- Murals Route: It is circular, 1,31 kilometers long, of low difficulty, and can be done in one hour.
- Trail of the Crosses: It is linear, 2 kilometers long, of low difficulty and can be completed in 30 minutes.
- The Escalonias: It is a linear route, 18.5 kilometres long, of low difficulty, which can be completed in 4 hours and 45 minutes on foot, and in just an hour and a half by bicycle.
- The Erillas: It is a circular route, 1,2 kilometres long, easy, and takes just 15 minutes.
- Cambuco Trail: It is linear, 2.3 kilometers, easy and can be done in half an hour.
Continuing with our article of the Hornachuelos Natural Park, what to see and what to dor, we must remind them that It has a recreational and camping area, the Monte Público Los Ruedos.
So, if you want to spend a day in the country you can do so because there is a Delimited area, with picnic areas, barbecues, drinking water and bathrooms. Camping spots must be requested at the town hall and are free of charge. This place is open every weekend and on public holidays from 9am to 7pm. You can see the entire calendar on the official website of the Hornachuelos Natural Park.
The same applies to the opening hours and days of the Huerta del Rey Visitor Center. If you visit the website you already have the 2025 calendar at your disposal.