The Camino Mozárabe. Stretch 2 from Córdoba to Mérida
1 pax min.
During the Muslim domination over the Iberian Peninsula, the Christians who wanted to stay in the occupied areas were forced to Islam but many of them kept professing their faith in secret. These Christians received the name of Mozarabs and many of them followed the old Roman roads from Al-Andalus on a pilgrimage toCompostela. Today the Camino Mozárabe starts in Granada, passes through Córdoba until Merida, where it joins the Ruta de la Plata. There are some variants coming from Almería and Málaga but they are not very well-known and waymarked. We should note that in south Spain during the summer months can be very hot so it is recommended to take this path between September and April.
Program
Day 1: Arrival in Córdoba
Transfer from the airport in Córdoba to the Hotel. Free time to visit the city, specially the Mosque that today is a Cathedral .
Day 2: De Córdoba a Cerro Murriano, 15 km approx.
Today we have before us a short stage We leave Córdoba and walk next to the river Pedroches to the the sactuary of Nuestra Señora de Linares After that we must climb the so called “Loma de los Esacalones” uphill.
Day 3: From Cerro Muriano to Villaharta, 21 km approx.
First we arrive to Estación de Obejo where we can see the Guadanuño Reservoir. From here we’ll start to walk through typical Mediterranean forests, woodlands, and scrub. We arrive in Guadiato, where we’ll see oaks and livestock and then we get to Vacar, where we can visit its castle of Muslim origin.
Day 4: From Villaharta to Cortijo de Hoyariza. 12 km approx.
We leave Villaharta and there’s an ascent to Pozoblanco and the Cañada Real Soriana (in Spain we have some official glens, coming from different points of the Peninsula regulated by an ancient law set by the king Alfonso X). As in Cortijo de Hoyariza there’s no accomodation, we’ll arrange a transfer back to Villaharta.
Day 5: From Cortijo de Hoyaiza to Alcaracejos, 28 km approx.
Transfer back to Cortijo de Hoyariza from where we’ll kept walking our camino. The path drops down to the river Guadalbarbo across olive yards and small oak forests, to get to Alcarcejos.
Day 6: From Alcaraceños to Hinojosa del Duque. 23 km approx.
First we’ll pass through Villanueva del Duque, a small village. Later we reach Fuenta La Lancha where we’ll visit the church of Santa Catalina. The camino lead us through Andalussian Cortijos (traditional Andalussian villas) and small villages.
Day 7: From Hinojosa to Monterrubio, 31 km approx.
Today’s stage is very quiet and we’ll hardly see villages, only Belalcázar where we’ll take a rest and walk around.
Day 8: From Monterrubio to Castuera, 17 km approx.
Today’s stage is shorter than average so we’ll get our strength back. We’ll mainly go through olive groves before reaching Castuera, place which we’ll visit, well known by its nougat
Day 9: From Castuera to Campanario, 19 km approx.
We walk till get to the estuary of Guadalefra before reaching Campanario, a place to visit for its interesting monuments.
*We go back by transfer to Castuera as in Campanario there is no acomodation.
Day 10: From Campanario to Don Benito, 22 km approx.
Transfer to Campanario to continue our camino. We’ll walk through small fields with oaks. Along the way we’ll see the villages of Magacela y La Haba. We get to Extremadura.
Day 11: From Don Benito to San Pedro de Rozados, 28 km approx.
We pass by the village of Medellín, hometown of Hernán Cortés, the conqueror. We’ll go across the bridge and we’ll visit its castle.
Day 12: From San Pedro de Mérida to Mérida, 15 km approx.
We pass through the villages of Torrefresnada and Trujillanos before reaching Mérida, a beautiful city of Roman origin. Transfer to the airport.
*There is the possibility to extend the stay in Córdoba and Mérida, if you are interested in it please don’t hesitate to contact Viajes Orbis. When extending your stay, apart from having more time to enjoy the city, we can arrange some excursions.
*It is also possible to combine various trips, e.g. follow the Ruta de la Plata until Santiago de Compostela.
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