The Cardeña–Aldea del Cerezo trail begins in the town center of Cardeña and leads into a young Dehesa. The route is 6 kilometers one way; allow about two hours for the hike. The difficulty level is low. This gives you a specific hike to choose for your time in Cardeña. Check for any temporary restrictions before setting out.

Hiking, Landscapes and Water

In the Sierra de Cardeña y Montoro Natural Park, rounded granite hills and gentle slopes meet Dehesas, reforested pine forests and Mediterranean scrubland. The protected area has an extensive network of trails for hiking, horseback riding, donkey riding and cycling. This means the range of activities extends beyond walking and includes several ways to get around.

The route to the nearby Embalse de Tejoneras from the Venta Nueva visitor center offers a different way to divide your time: it covers 5.47 kilometers by car, followed by 950 meters on foot. The estimated total time is 45 minutes. From observation points at the reservoir, you can use binoculars to watch little grebes, coots, ducks and great crested grebes. The Venta Nueva visitor center in Cardeña presents the area’s Mediterranean landscape, with Dehesa systems, Mediterranean scrubland and pine forests.

Gardens, History and Astronomy

The Jardín Didáctico Mediterráneo explains traditional uses of plants and different ecosystems. It also introduces native plant species considered to occur exclusively in the municipality of Cardeña. As a permanent exhibition, the Sala Expositiva El Arte de la Caza explores hunting and various hunting-related uses—an area of focus in its own right alongside the nature exhibits.

Nearby Aldea de El Cerezo began as a small settlement of stone houses in the Dehesa beside the Río Yeguas, where about a hundred shepherds lived. The settlement was later restored for rural tourism. You can explore it on foot, on horseback or by bicycle along the trails. Its former use by shepherds and its later restoration for tourism give the excursion a historical dimension, too.

The Parroquia de Nuestra Señora del Carmen combines a history of reconstruction with distinctive architectural features. The former church was completely destroyed during the Spanish Civil War. The new building was constructed beginning in 1950 and inaugurated six years later. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Latin cross, and its decoration is Baroque in style.

The Mirador Astronómico is near the town center, on the site of a former water reservoir. It has a computer-controlled digital planetarium that can simulate the sky for any date and location on Earth. Cardeña’s astronomical observatory is also a recommended stop for astronomy enthusiasts.

Getting There and an Event

Cardeña can be reached via the N-420, A-423 and A-420. The N-420 connects the town with the Guadalquivir Valley. A local culinary highlight is the Feria del Lechón Ibérico, a gastronomic event centered on suckling pig, with numerous accompanying activities. Check the event dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Alcolea, Iznajar, Montilla, Doña Mencía, Dos Torres, Palenciana, Cañete De Las Torres, Aguilar De La Frontera.

For the main travel overview: Cordoba.