Geography of the Sierra Subbética
The natural park of the Sierra Subbética covers 32,056 hectares and is the only one of the three in Cordoba that does not border any other Natural Parks.
To the north west is the capital city of Cordoba, to the east is the province of Jaén, and to the south east is the province of Granada.
At the southern extreme of the Natural Park is Iznajar, a village that also gives its name to the nearby reservoir, the largest in Andalusia in terms of capacity: 950 million cubic metres, with 100 kilometres of shoreline and 32 kilometres in length. The main tributary of the Guadalquivir river, the Genil, flows into the Iznajar reservoir.
The highest point in the Sierra Subbética and in the province of Cordoba is La Tiñosa, measuring 1,570 metres.
Walking in the Sierra Subbética
There are numerous paths and tracks in the Sierra Subbética Natural Park, some of which require a permit from the Provincial Department of the Environment, plus others which cross private land. In addition to some marked routes, such as the Vía Verde del Aceite converted railway track, there are many that are unmarked or visible due to their use by local walkers.
Routes range from gorges such as that which passes next to the town of Zuheros, to the highest peak in the province of Cordoba, to flat areas known as “poljes”, where large sheets of water form as a consequence of rains, resulting in spectacular growth of meadow plants and flowers.
On clear winter days, it is possible to see Sierra Nevada from several of the peaks within the Sierra Subbética.