[et_pb_section bb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header Section” _builder_version=”3.0.86″ use_background_color_gradient=”on” background_color_gradient_start=”rgba(251,251,251,0.67)” background_color_gradient_end=”#fbfbfb” background_color_gradient_overlays_image=”on” background_image=”https:\/\/www.destinosubbetica.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Parque-Natural-Subbetica.jpg” custom_padding=”7em||9em|” next_background_color=”#ffffff”][et_pb_row admin_label=”Header Row” custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding_phone=”3vw|||” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding_last_edited=”off|desktop” _builder_version=”3.0.92″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”T\u00edtulo” _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” text_font_size=”40″ background_layout=”light” text_font_size_phone=”35″ text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_last_edited=”on|desktop” text_line_height_phone=”1em” header_2_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_2_text_align=”center” header_2_font_size=”40px” header_2_font_size_phone=”35px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”||1%|-1px” text_orientation=”center” module_alignment=”center” header_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_font_size=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”35px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_line_height=”0.3em” header_3_text_align=”center” header_3_font=”Poppins||||||||” header_3_font_size=”20px” header_3_text_color=”#ac1617″ header_2_line_height=”0.3em”]<\/p>\n
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Did you know you can go kayaking, rafting, canyoning, paddle-boarding, sailing, swimming and even windsurfing in inland Andaluc\u00eda? The untouristed olive-growing Subb\u00e9tica, in sun-soaked southeast C\u00f3rdoba province, offers a wealth of thrilling water sports<\/strong> and adventure activities<\/strong> off Spain\u2019s beaten track. With the 320-sq-km Parque Natural Sierras Subb\u00e9ticas at its heart, it\u2019s also a paradise for hikers, cyclists and mountain-bikers<\/strong>. Base yourself in one the region\u2019s inspiring sustainable rural hotels near C\u00f3rdoba, dive into authentic Andalucian cuisine, and explore castle-topped white villages with fascinating histories stretching back to Moorish, Roman and Iberian Spain.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.1.1″ src=”https:\/\/www.destinosubbetica.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/Primavera-en-la-Subb\u00e9tica-senderismo.jpg” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#ac1617″ text_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n Walking holidays in <\/strong>central Andaluc\u00eda<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXTO LARGO” _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”justified”]<\/p>\n Anyone looking for some of the best hiking in Andaluc\u00eda will love the craggy limestone mountains, wild-olive-filled hills, rocky gorges and green-clad valleys of C\u00f3rdoba\u2019s Parque Natural Sierras Subb\u00e9ticas, which has also been a Unesco Geopark since 2006. Head out from super-scenic pueblos blancos<\/em> (white villages) such as Zuheros, Cabra, Priego de C\u00f3rdoba and Carcabuey, following little-known paths through dramatic canyons, past eerie caves and abandoned farmhouses or up 1570m-high La Ti\u00f1osa (the province\u2019s tallest peak). Along the way you might spot griffon vultures, Bonelli’s eagles, spring wildflowers and more. The park\u2019s helpful visitor centre is between Priego and Cabra.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.1.1″ src=”https:\/\/www.destinosubbetica.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Mountain-biking-in-Sierras-Subbeticas-natural-park.jpg” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#ac1617″ text_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n Cycling and mountain-biking in C\u00f3rdoba\u2019s Subb\u00e9tica<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXTO LARGO” _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”justified”]<\/p>\n Andaluc\u00eda\u2019s wonderful V\u00eda Verde del Aceite<\/a> greenway (also called the V\u00eda Verde de la\u00a0 Subb\u00e9tica in C\u00f3rdoba) is a disused railway line that tracks across 128km of olive-covered countryside in C\u00f3rdoba and Ja\u00e9n provinces. It\u2019s now been skilfully converted for cyclists, hikers and wheelchair users to enjoy, with 13 spine-tingling viaducts, sprawling views and train stations repurposed as bars, restaurants and hotels. If you\u2019re keen to uncover Andalucian history on a cycle touring holiday in Spain, rent bikes at the excellent Centro Cicloturista near Dona Menc\u00eda and head off on this rewarding route.<\/p>\n Regularly featured in Spain\u2019s \u2018La Vuelta\u2019 cycling tour, the Subb\u00e9tica is an undiscovered gem for road cyclists, with quiet, well-maintained, traffic-free roads weaving through spectacular mountain scenery and river valleys. There are plenty of picturesque white towns well-spaced out across the region, so you\u2019re never far from a local terrace bar for tapas or coffee! There are several bike-friendly hotels in the area, offering secure storage for bikes, bike rental and downloadable GPX files with recommended cycling routes.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, there\u2019s superb mountain-biking among the olive groves, craggy hills and gurgling streams of the Sierras Subb\u00e9ticas natural park. The area has a range of MTB routes set up\u00a0 covering the northern (BTT Norte) and southern (BTT Sur) reaches of the park, with QR codes giving you GPX files and links to a navigation app.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.1.1″ src=”https:\/\/www.destinosubbetica.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/03\/patio-en-Izn\u00e1jar.jpg” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#ac1617″ text_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n C\u00f3rdoba\u2019s<\/strong> White Villages<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXTO LARGO” _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”justified”]<\/p>\n Lesser-known than the famous white villages of nearby C\u00e1diz, C\u00f3rdoba\u2019s charming pueblos blancos<\/em> revolve around crumbling Moorish-era castles, glinting Baroque churches and narrow sloping alleys bursting with vibrant geraniums, all with the Sierras Subb\u00e9ticas right on the doorstep. Many of them sit on the once-turbulent frontier between ancient Christian and Islamic Spain, which you can now explore by following the Ruta del Califato (Route of the Caliphate), stopping at ecofriendly rural hotels and local-produce restaurants along the way. From Zuheros (recently voted one of the prettiest towns in Spain) and Luque, to Carcabuey, Zagrilla, Almedinilla, Priego de C\u00f3rdoba and Instagrammer-favourite Izn\u00e1jar, these C\u00f3rdoba white towns are a delight and feel particularly atmospheric during local Semana Santa (Easter Week) processions.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.1.1″ src=”https:\/\/www.destinosubbetica.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/07\/DSC0253.jpg” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#ac1617″ text_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n History and heritage in southern <\/strong>C\u00f3rdoba<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXTO LARGO” _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”justified”]<\/p>\n Reason alone to explore the Subb\u00e9tica, Priego de C\u00f3rdoba conceals Andaluc\u00eda\u2019s finest Baroque architecture, which you\u2019ll spot trickling out to neighbouring villages such as Cabra and Rute. Across the region, an impressive stash of Moorish, Roman, Iberian and prehistoric remains tell a story dating back millenia, while Lucena town harbours one of Spain\u2019s most important Jewish necropolises. The Subb\u00e9tica area is also perfectly located for easy day trips to C\u00f3rdoba and its shimmering Mezquita, and makes a tempting rural gateway for exploring Granada and the Alhambra as well as arty M\u00e1laga on the Mediterranean coast, both less than an-hour-and-a-half away.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″][et_pb_image _builder_version=”3.1.1″ src=”https:\/\/www.destinosubbetica.es\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Where-to-eat_Casa-Olea.jpg” \/][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font=”Poppins|600|||||||” text_text_color=”#ac1617″ text_font_size=”30px” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n Fabulous Andalucian gastronomy<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXTO LARGO” _builder_version=”3.1.1″ text_font_size=”16px” text_orientation=”justified”]<\/p>\n Central Andaluc\u00eda\u2019s authentically delicious traditional cuisine is powered by ultra-fresh local ingredients and age-old recipes, which you\u2019ll sample all over C\u00f3rdoba\u2019s Subb\u00e9tica. Some of the world\u2019s best olive oil<\/a> is produced around Priego de C\u00f3rdoba, Baena and Lucena (with olive oil tours and tastings on offer), and local farms yield everything from artisan Zuheros goat\u2019s cheese and renowned mountain-cured jam\u00f3n<\/em> to just-plucked seasonal vegetables and fruit. Another highlight are C\u00f3rdoba\u2019s sweet Montilla-Moriles wines, similar to Jerez sherry, which you can taste on small-scale winery tours in Do\u00f1a Menc\u00eda, Montilla, Moriles, Lucena and beyond, as well as any good Subb\u00e9tica bar or restaurant.<\/p>\n