The Source of the Guadalquivir: Cañada de las Fuentes
Singular places
, Pozo Alcón
The source of the largest river in Andalusia is situated in an area of the park which is of great ecological value. This is a cool and pleasant location, where ash, maple and hawthorn trees accompany the first few stretches of the “Great River”, as it was known by the Arabs. It is surrounded by unusual geological formations with dense forests of Corsican and European black pine. Approximately one hundred meters further up, visitors will come across Cañada de las Fuentes Forest House, which boasts a recreation area often frequented by small groups of fallow and red deer.
Here the “official” source of the River Guadalquivir is located underneath a plaque which bears a poem by the Álvarez Quintero brothers; however, strictly speaking the source of the river is in the spacious hollow of Cañada de las Fuentes, where a number of streams, including the Teatinos, Juan Fría and Arroyo de la Luz merge after they have made their way down from the nearby mountains .
This spot has lived through periods of intense tourist activity, although today it is regulated in a manner more conducive to public use and as a result has a pure, sensitive aspect which requires visitors to be silent and respectful at all times.
From Cañada de las Fuentes you are also just a stone's throw away from one of the area’s best-known routes.
We recommend…
- Ascending to the peak of Cabañas; at the foot of the mountain there is a forest track in reasonable condition, which snakes its way up the mountain for approximately ten kilometres. Following the track which leads away from the source of the Guadalquivir towards Pozo Alcón, after 2.5 kilometres you will reach the crossroads known as Pino de las Tres Cruces, where the trail leading up to the spectacular viewing point over the Pozo mountains begins.
- Taking a walk alongside the ravine of Cañada de la Fuente; approximately 1 kilometre from the forest house of the same name you will see a trail leading off to the right, lined with broom and maples and featuring some of the largest examples of Corsican pines anywhere in the park. Along the way you may well spot fallow deer and even mouflon on the limestone pavements to your right, in addition to centuries-old yew trees.
- Continuing along up the track towards Pozo Alcón for a further 2 kilometres; 300 metres before reaching Pino de las Tres Cruces, turn off on to the trail to your left, which leads to Prados de Navahonda.
LOCATION
The area can be reached from Cazorla via the A319 mountain road. At Empalme del Valle there is a sign on the right indicating the way to the source of the river. Follow the road in that direction for 4 kilometres until you come to a bridge over the Guadalquivir. At the bridge, take the right turn-off to Puente de las Herrerías, and from there, stay on the main road for a further 11 kilometres until you reach the source.
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