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ACCEDER

Puerto de la Mata Pass Trail

At km. 13 of the A-324 road (Cambil-Huelma) there is a widening in the road, where you can park your car, next to the Mata Behid farmhouse that gives its name to these places. Right here, an uphill track begins through an olive grove, which is signposted at the beginning. This path forms part of the GR-7, as it passes through the province of Jaén. It is advisable to leave a second vehicle at the end of the path, in the vicinity of Fuenmayor, near the village of Torres.

NAME OF THE TRAIL

GR-7 - Puerto de la Mata Pass

TYPE OF TRAIL

Dirt track, of different widths and firmness.

Difficulty

Half

TOTAL DISTANCE (IN KILOMETERS)

12.88 km

ESTIMATED RUN TIME

4 hours and 10 minutes.

Type of firm

Dirt track, of different widths and firmness.

SLOPE

677 m

300 m

DIFFICULTY. ASSESSMENT ACCORDING TO METHOD MEASURE

2

MEDIO.

Severity of the natural environment

2

Itinerary

Orientation in the itinerary

2

Displacement

Difficulty moving

3

EFFORT.

Amount of effort required

TIME OF THE YEAR

All year round

SIGNALING

MUNICIPAL TERMS BY WHICH IT RUNS

Cambil Huelma Sierra Mágina

NATURAL ENVIRONMENT

Barranco del Atanor

RECOMMENDATIONS

This trail can be done all year round. In winter, the conditions in the mountain pass, the highest area and surrounded by high mountain peaks, can make it complicated due to the low temperatures and the accumulation of snow, although the route is not complicated. There are only water points along the route at the beginning (private fountain at the Mata Behid farmhouse) and at the end at Fuenmayor. In any case none of them are treated water, although they are traditionally used for consumption. In summer the sunshine is very strong, together with the lack of shade, will provide important protection from the sun.
This path, once reached the pass, offers the possibility of ascending the peaks of Almadén (2032 m.) and Ponce (2005 m.), along paths with unstable ground. Both peaks, divided by this mountain pass, offer possibilities for lovers of great panoramic views. From the Almadén to the north and the Guadalquivir Depression, and from Ponce to the south, with views of the province of Granada, crowned by the Sierra Nevada National Park. These alternatives would considerably lengthen the time required and the difficulties involved.

POINTS OF INTEREST

- In spring, at the beginning of the trail, the Cuadros oleander forest blossoms, a riparian forest formation formed by huge oleander specimens.
- In the first third of the ascent, to the right of the path, the Carluco rises up, a mountain that is home to the largest cornicabra in Spain (the cornicabra, Pistacia terebinthus, is a bush that is characteristic of Mediterranean vegetation).
- A Mediterranean-Andalusian high mountain livestock landscape, in the Caño del Aguadero area, with traditional constructions such as a watering hole and a trough. This place is located at about 1600 meters above sea level. Several municipal districts coincide at this point, a fact that, increased by its value, has served as a popular dispute as to who it belongs to.
- Geological formations such as dolines, in the last part of the route.
- It is common to see golden eagles in flight, and mountain goats on the summits.

DESCRIPTION

The route is a permanent climb, not very steep, but long. This path will take us from the valley bottoms to the summit area of the Sierra Mágina Natural Park, the traditional summer grazing places, the agostaderos or local high altitude pastures. Therefore this is a traditional livestock trail, from the transterminance - local movement of livestock from the valley to the mountain.

The Cuadros recreational area is the starting point, the place where we can leave our vehicle. The track ascends for several kilometres between the pine tree slopes. In this first section, to the right of the track, we will have the view of the deep valleys of mountain torrents that converge and collect all the waters of this sector of the massif. The Cuadros River Valley, the Mosquito Ravine and the Peru Ravine, interesting for their cornicabrales, characteristic vegetation of this area.

The first section of the trail ends at the Control del Valle, a building next to a control barrier that has an esplanade where we can rest. Depending on the season here we will find water to refresh ourselves.
But the stop should be short because we have not yet done even a third of the way up. On the right side of the path you will find a path, with stone recesses, a path that was restored years ago in a work camp. It is a short cut, which we do not recommend due to its slope.

We still have to reach the Era del Curilla, right at the hill at the head of the Barranco del Atanor at 1100 metres above sea level; a natural pass that connects with the eastern side of the massif. The threshing floor was located there and took advantage of the currents between the two slopes to throw the wheat, taking advantage of the permanent air flow.
The longest section is still a little over eight kilometres to the end of the climb. During this part of the route the path adapts to the slope of the Sierra de la Cruz, avoiding ravines, which one after the other allow us to gain height. The landscape changes to a mountain of pines from Salgary, a tall tree, combined with cornicabra and even boxwood. Let's not forget that we are on the northern slope of Mágina, a little more humid than the rest of the Sierra. On the left of the path we will find different hills, or high and isolated hills. On the right we enjoy the impressive view from the head of the ravines we saw at the beginning of the route.

The path loses its inclination, and all that remains is to flatten out the Caño del Aguadero. The route is flanked by high pastureland, traditionally frequented by flocks of sheep. When you pass the Hoya de la Laguna -on the left of the road-, a small doline or depression in the limestone rocky bottom, you will be very close to your destination. The appearance of poplars announces the presence of water, from the spring of the Caño del Aguadero.

The watering place, the fountain and the troughs are the end of the road. This spot is a rest area in the middle of the massif, and forms part of a royal glen. The meadows, the constant presence of water, the size and the shade of the poplars invite you to spend a good time resting in this corner of the Andalusian mountain. Peña Grajera (2014 m.) crowns the landscape and reminds us of the high mountain conditions in which we find ourselves.

The return will be done by undoing the path of ascent..., or by connecting with other paths of different slopes. This option requires careful planning and experience in mountain orientation, as well as many more hours to return to the villages around the massif.

Source of information

Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development. Junta de Andalucía