Rute between Sierra, Culture and Sweet Traditions

Sierra and Trails around Rute

Rute is located in the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park. The Sierra de Rute reaches elevations of over 1,100 metres. Its peaks include Sierra Alta at 1,326 metres, Sierra de Las Cruces at 1,270 metres and Morrón de El Salvador at 1,170 metres. The 7.58-kilometre Ruta Pamplinar is a circular route with panoramic views of the Iznájar Reservoir. The Ruta Pamplinar begins at the junction of the A-331 and CP 3, beyond the Hotel Maria Luisa, and ends at the starting point. The Pinar de Rute trail leads to Cerro del Canuto and Sierra Alta.

The Ruta MTB-Subbética Sur is a circular mountain-bike route starting and ending in Rute. The Ruta MTB-Subbética Sur connects rural sections, traditional hamlets, minor roads and mid-mountain landscapes. According to the regional tourism description, the area around the Sierra de Rute is suitable for hiking, mountain biking, paragliding, caving, climbing, motocross and horse riding. Fuente Alta can be reached from Rute town centre via a surfaced, signposted track. Fuente Alta is a recreational area in the public Monte Público Sierra y Lanchar mountain land, surrounded by dense pine forest. Torre del Canuto is a medieval Andalusian fortification in the Pinar de Rute landscape. Cueva de los Grajos is a large cave where climbing takes place. The ADEBO Reserve works to rescue abandoned donkeys and is involved in restoring the Andalusian-Cordoban donkey breed.

History, Churches and Cultural Walking Tours

Rute El Viejo is considered a fortified settlement associated with Rute’s first inhabitants. The Santuario de Ntra. Sra. del Carmen is a church dating from the final years of the 17th century, with a single-nave interior, a barrel vault and a dome over pendentives. The Parroquia de Santa Catalina Mártir houses an important collection of sculptures, including the Cristo Moreno from the mid-16th century, as well as works from the circle of Pablo de Rojas and from the workshop of Alonso de Mena.

Rafael Alberti lived in Rute in 1924 and 1925. Rafael Alberti wrote three of his novels in Rute. The Ruta de Alberti is a cultural walking tour in Rute that begins at the Oficina de Turismo. The Monumento al Anís commemorates the culture and tradition of producing anise drinks and liqueurs in Rute. Rute’s patron-saint festivities in honour of the Virgen del Carmen are celebrated on 15 August and have been held since the early 17th century. Parque Ntra. del Carmen includes the open-air Teatro al Aire Libre "Alcalde Pedro Flores", where cultural activities take place, as well as a children’s playground.

The Belén de Chocolate is a visitor attraction in Rute featuring a large nativity scene made of chocolate. Each year, the Belén de Chocolate presents new chocolate buildings and recreates streets, temples, figures and scenes from everyday life at the time of Jesus’s birth.

Anise, Confectionery and Craft Production

The Museo del Anís is housed in a century-old distillery and presents the history and tradition of producing anise spirits and liqueurs, including the use of copper stills. During a visit to the Museo del Anís, a small tasting of non-alcoholic liqueurs and various distillates is offered, including Anís Seco at 55° and Anís Dulce at 36°. The Museo del Azúcar recreates an old family tradition of making mantecados and includes the ANDALUCÍA EN AZÚCAR exhibition, featuring monuments of Andalusia made entirely from sugar. The Museo Artesanal del Turrón, Mantecado y Mazapán displays tools and equipment associated with the traditional production of its products. At Jamones Rute, ham and other preserved pork products continue to be made using traditional methods in Rute.

More Destinations

More destinations: Montemayor, El Tarajal, Hornachuelos, Santa María De Trassierra, El Villar, Pedro Abad, Silillos, La Guijarrosa

To the overarching travel overview: Cordoba.