Valdepeñas de Jaén – Noalejo – Campillo de Arenas (C1)

The route starts in the town centre of Valdepeñas de Jaén and leaves the town via the southern exit. Turning left, we take a tarmac local road that winds its way through rolling olive groves. A second left turn brings us onto a longer stretch of road, also tarmac. After a few metres of gentle riding, the road begins to climb gradually, winding through bends that offer views of the valley and the hills surrounding the town. The landscape combines terraced olive groves with patches of holm oak and gall oak woodland in the shady areas. As we gain altitude, we can enjoy beautiful views of the Sierra Sur. The path winds through terraced olive groves and scattered patches of Mediterranean scrub, a reminder of the traditional agricultural use of these slopes. Gradually, the landscape becomes more open and rugged, with stony slopes and small ravines. Puerto de los Carboneros (1,340 m) is reached upon cresting the ridge, at a broad pass that acts as a natural crossing between the slopes. It is a good spot for a brief stop: sheltered from the wind, it offers panoramic views of the Subbética limestone mountains and marks the end of the main ascent of this first section.

From Puerto de los Carboneros (1,340 m), the route continues north-west along a narrow tarmac road that descends gently at the start. Just over a kilometre on, the path runs alongside the Cortijo de los Carbonerillos, situated on the right-hand side, next to the Arroyo de Carboneros stream, which gives its name to the valley and serves as an auditory and visual landmark along this stretch. This farmhouse is an example of rural architecture linked to the agricultural and livestock farming of these mountains. Once past this spot, the route turns slightly northwards and begins to climb gradually. The gradient steepens as the road winds through a series of bends, flanked by slopes covered in scrubland and reforested pine groves, alternating with clearings and small ravines. In the final stretch, the route turns north-west again, tackling the steeper gradients leading up to the Cuesta de la Burra (1,440 m). This natural pass offers cyclists a breather and a sweeping panorama: to the east, the valleys descending towards the River Valdearazo can be seen, whilst to the west the view opens out onto the olive-growing countryside of the Sierra Sur.

From Cuesta de la Burra, the route continues south-east along a narrow tarmac road that winds its way through olive groves and scattered patches of Mediterranean scrub. The climb is moderate, with sections of continuous ascent that require steady pedalling, though there are no steep gradients. After about two kilometres, the route passes several old farmhouses on the left, linked to the use of the hillside and small-scale traditional livestock farming. Along the way, you can see ravines and riverbeds where riverside vegetation—brambles, oleanders and the occasional tamarisk—flourishes, contrasting with the monotony of the surrounding olive groves. The landscape opens up as we approach the Puerto de los Vinateros, a natural pass situated some 2.5 km from the start of the section.

This pass takes its name from the fact that, according to tradition, it was a crossing point for mule drivers and wine merchants travelling between the mountains and the countryside. From this point, the views open out to the south-west, towards the countryside and the slopes leading down into the valley. From Puerto de los Vinateros, the route continues south-west along a mountain track, with an ascending gradient that gains height steadily. The road narrows and winds its way through olive groves and patches of scrubland, where holm oaks and gall oaks reappear and it is possible to find Mediterranean scrub such as kermes oak, mastic and rockrose. For around 1.9 km, the route coincides with part of the GR7 trail. The route maintains a gradual ascent, with some steeper sections requiring constant effort from the cyclist. After travelling some 4.5 km from the previous pass, you reach Puerto de los Azores, another natural pass connecting these inland mountain ranges and offering an excellent viewpoint over the Sierra Sur de Jaén.

From the pass, the route begins a gentle descent towards the north-east, following a narrow tarmac road that winds its way through valleys and rolling hills. As you lose altitude, the first signs of the Sierra del Trigo wind farm come into view, with its wind turbines dominating the horizon. The route alternates between downhill sections and gentle undulations, surrounded by a mosaic of olive groves and open areas that highlight the region’s agricultural character. Finally, after cycling for around 3.8 km, you reach the wind farm’s substation, a clear landmark on this section of the route.

From the wind farm’s substation, the route continues east-northeast for around 5 km along a tarmac road. The route winds its way through hills covered in olive groves, interspersed with patches of Mediterranean vegetation where kermes oaks, rockroses and thyme thrive. The route, which is gentle in places, maintains a gentle descent, offering sweeping views of the valley as we approach Navalcán.

From the hamlet of Navalcán, the route begins a gradual descent along a tarmac country lane that winds its way through rolling olive groves. The path opens up to sweeping views of the valley stretching out before Noalejo, whilst the hills of the Sierra Mágina remain behind. The path, which is easy to walk on and has no steep gradients, winds its way past scattered farmhouses and olive groves that almost entirely cover this transitional landscape between the mountains and the countryside. During the descent, you cross small gullies formed by runoff, shaped by erosion and flanked by Mediterranean vegetation adapted to the arid climate. Finally, after about 5.3 km from Navalcán, the route reaches the village of Noalejo, entering via the lower part of the municipality and climbing slightly up to the village centre. The area around Plaza de España is a good spot to refuel and adjust your route before continuing eastwards towards Campillo de Arenas.

We leave the built-up area of Noalejo via the JV-2229 until we reach the junction with the N-323, where we head towards Campillo de Arenas. From here, the route continues along the A-road for around 4.5 km on a tarmac surface, making for a comfortable ride. The route runs parallel to the northern slope of the Sierra Mágina, amidst a patchwork of sloping olive groves and scattered farmhouses that reflect the agricultural character of this area. The road, winding yet comfortable, descends gradually, following the natural corridor that connects the two towns. On the horizon, the hills protecting Campillo de Arenas come into view; as we approach the town, we can make out the hill crowned by its medieval castle, a visual landmark heralding our arrival in the municipality. Access to Campillo de Arenas is via a gentle final descent, entering the town via the N-323 and reaching its first streets some 4.2 km from Noalejo. We leave Campillo de Arenas and head north-west along Calle Barranquillo towards Calle Acera del Río. After about 130 metres, we turn left onto the JV-2228. Barely 600 metres further on, we take a track on the right that gradually leads us towards the hills that enclose the valley. The surface is initially tarmac, though it soon becomes a track of compacted gravel, with a gentle, comfortable incline. Olive groves dominate the landscape for the first few kilometres, until areas of scrubland, almond plantations and reforested pine forests appear, reminding us of the forestry heritage of these hills. This path coincides in several sections with the Cordel de Jaén, a traditional livestock track in the region, used for centuries for transhumance and the movement of livestock between the countryside and the mountains. The surface has stony and uneven sections that require caution when cycling. The route continues along the Cordel de Jaén until it reaches a clearly signposted fork. If we were to take the turn-off to the right, we could link up with Carchelejo and the C2 cycle route; whereas the route we are following connects with a section of the GR 7, which is perfectly signposted and coincides with the start of the hiking trail that will lead us to the Piedra del Palo. In our case, we continue straight ahead, heading towards the Cortijo del Cortijuelo, which stands out as a landmark along the way. The path climbs gently until it approaches the Cañada del Sabinar pass and the Pitillos Canyon, carved out by the River Valdearazo. The Valdearazo is spectacularly enclosed between high limestone walls, meandering through the canyon in a series of bends that make it all the more impressive. Curious rock formations dot this entire area, such as the Piedra del Palo, a unique rock formation that stands as a natural landmark along the route and a must-see stop for those seeking to enjoy the grandeur of the landscape and nature. We can reach it by taking a detour to the left of our route, which leads us to the Mirador de la Piedra del Palo viewpoint.

From the vicinity of the Cañón de los Pitillos, the route continues south-westwards, tackling a gradual ascent along a stony track that requires caution. The path winds its way through slopes of Mediterranean scrub and kermes oak groves, with sections where the gradient becomes steeper. After about 5 km, you reach the Collado de los Yeros, a natural pass linking several ravines and offering a fine panoramic view of the nearby wooded slopes. The path is dotted with a rugged, typically Mediterranean landscape featuring forests of holm oaks, cork oaks, pines and centuries-old gall oaks, but the Quejigo del Amo or del Carbón stands out among them all. From this pass, the route descends gently for the first kilometre, always heading west-southwest, skirting more open slopes. The ground remains uneven, with loose stones. Shortly afterwards, the gradient reverses and a continuous descent begins towards the next landmark. After a total of 2.7 km from the pass, you reach the vicinity of the Quejigo del Amo or del Carbón, a monumental specimen of great stature and longevity. Located in the municipality of Valdepeñas de Jaén, it was declared a Natural Monument in 2001. This tree, representative of native Mediterranean vegetation, is considered one of the largest in Andalusia. This gall oak is not only a natural treasure of the first order, but also an ethnographic symbol linked to the ancient uses of the mountain.

From the area around the monumental Quejigo del Amo, the route begins a descent heading south-west. The ground is stony in several places, so extreme caution is advised, particularly in wet weather. The route crosses slopes of Mediterranean woodland and olive groves until it reaches the Collado del Cañón, a natural pass offering sweeping views of the nearby ravines. From here, the route continues over gentle slopes, alternating between descents and slight ascents, until it reaches the Collado de Navalayegua, a strategic vantage point from which the horizon opens up towards the foothills surrounding Valdepeñas de Jaén. The final few kilometres follow traditional paths, winding through olive groves and small ravines, a reminder of the close relationship between this land and the farming and livestock practices that have shaped it over the centuries.

Finally, the route heads back into the town centre of Valdepeñas de Jaén, completing the circular route. The return to the starting point allows cyclists to appreciate the diversity of the landscapes they have passed through: from the mountain passes and natural landmarks—such as the Piedra del Palo or the Quejigo del Amo—to the olive-covered slopes and the traditional cattle tracks. A route that is demanding in terms of distance and elevation gain, yet rich in cultural, natural and ethnographic heritage, encapsulating the essence of the Sierra Mágina.