Stage Alcaudete - Baena

Description

The stretch of the Mozarto Road between Alcaudete and Baena is a 25.4-kilometre journey between centuries-old olive groves before leaving the province of Jaén to reach Córdoba. With a moderate level of + 350 m and -250 m, this stage represents an accessible and attractive challenge for pilgrims, as they travel a mix of rural roads, streams and secondary roads.

The stage begins at the Plaza 28 de Feb. next to the City of Alcaudete. Another option is to start at the roundabout near the hospital, continuing on the N-432 towards Córdoba. Following the Jacobea signs, the tour will take us to the Zaide Source, an important point of reference.

From this fountain we will have beautiful views of the Castle of Alcaudete, located in its historic centre of medieval origin. We recommend that you visit it before leaving this municipality and enjoy its important architectural heritage, in which apart from the Castillo-Palacio de Alcaudete, you can find the Church of Santa María la Mayor, the Church of the Incarnation or of Carmen, the Church of San Pedro, the Convent and Church of Santa Clara and the Cemetery and Chapel of Santa Catalina among others.

Right after the Zaide Fountain we will find the starting point of the old road to Baena.

_ AND ARROYOS

Crossing an impressive centenary olive tree with large olive trees, the pilgrims will advance through this agricultural landscape to meet a small stream, usually with little flow. After crossing the stream, a cortijo will be left to the right and, shortly thereafter, a second stream will mark the beginning of a gradual ascent that will lead to the national road.

Once the N-432 has been reached, you should walk with caution through the left arm. At a crossroads with good visibility, we move to the right bow, at which time we will have crossed the Salado and San Juan rivers. From this point on, the union of both rivers is called the Guadajoz River. The road continues on a narrow path that will take us to an agricultural ship and, following the course between olive groves, will reach the Laguna del Salobral, a natural reserve that offers a visual rest in the meantime olive trees. Then the road will cross the route of the old railway known as "Train of Oil," a vestige of the industrial past of the area.

The descent to a stream leads to a secondary road, which the pilgrims will leave when they reach a cordial. Here, you take a path to the left that continues to soften among the olive groves. About 1 km from this detour, a house known as "El Barranco" will be on the right. The tour continues to cross another road to continue to face a track that crosses olive fields and leads up to an almazara, an unequivocal sign of the importance of the oil industry in this region.

After passing on the route of the N-432, the route enters Baena by the olive cooperative "Our Lady of Guadalupe." As pilgrims approach the urban core, they will notice the contrast between the rural environment and agricultural activity. Baena, known for its olive oil and historical heritage, offers several points of interest for pilgrims before continuing their journey to Córdoba.

CONCLUSION OF THE RECORRID

The stage between Alcaudete and Baena is a journey that combines the natural beauty of olive fields with the historical heritage of the region. At this stage, our tour of the Mozarto Road in the province of Jaén ends, continuing our tour of Córdoba until we reach Santiago de Compostela.