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Mirador de Juan León Forest Trail

This natural balcony, formed by crenellations of rock and located at an altitude of some 1700 metres, provides a spectacular panorama over the surrounding landscape. Before you are the Las Villas mountains to the west, the Cazorla mountains to the south and the Segura range to the east. The highest peaks in each range are clearly visible. If you approach the edge with caution and lean out you will be rewarded with a magnificent view of Barranco del Lobo ravine, and the “ghost village” of Los Centenares next to it. You can still make out the threshing floor on which the villagers used to winnow their grain.

The forest trail that takes you up to the mirador, or viewing point, of Juan León can be traversed by car, although it is worth the effort to walk at least some of the way. As you ascend you will be able to feast your eyes on a charming landscape that takes on a different character the further along you progress. You will pass by Corsican pines standing in splendid isolation, journey through dense forests and explore rich scrubland that contains a number of increasingly rarer protected plant species. If you are lucky enough to be making this journey in spring you will be enchanted by the large, strikingly fuchsia-coloured flowers of the peony.

At certain points the terrain opens out to reveal rocky areas and patches of laburnum, reminding you of just how high you have actually climbed. Throughout the ascent you will spot a number of tinás and tornajos, structures built to house, feed and water livestock: this route and this landscape will help you discover more about the lives of those who have made this land their home.

Once you have reached the natural balcony you should remain alert and be ready to observe one of the many birds of prey soaring majestically overhead, perhaps pursued by crows fighting to guard their territory.

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MUNICIPAL TERMS BY WHICH IT RUNS

Santiago Pontones Sierra de Segura