Baúl – Gorges, Bridges and Historic Routes

Gorges and Bridges

In the settlement of Baúl, the route Cañones imposibles includes the gorge of the Baúl stream. Along the stream, it passes through a deeply incised gorge in a natural bottleneck with a spectacular metal bridge. The stream, gorge and bridge structure come together in a tightly confined landscape area.

The route conveys information about geomorphology and fluvial-karstic incision in the landscape. The Puente de El Baúl is a complex wrought-iron structure. It was designed in the workshops of Alexandre Gustave Eiffel and assembled in 1907. Its construction is therefore part of the history of the place, as is its location on the former railway line.

The Puente de El Baúl is one of the main attractions of the Vía Verde Sierra de Baza. The Puente del Baúl can currently be visited and is an attraction on the green route connecting various historic and natural sites in the area around Baza.

Vía Verde Sierra de Baza

The Vía Verde Sierra de Baza is primarily suggested as a cycling tour. It can also be covered on foot, including individual sections. The described use therefore includes both cycling and walking on sections of the route.

The Vía Verde Sierra de Baza is considered a moderately difficult route. The route is 42.1 kilometres long and has 316 metres of positive elevation gain.

The route runs from the former Gor station via Baúl, Baza and Caniles to El Hijate. The stated route length is 50 kilometres. The sequence of places traces the course of the green route through several stations and municipalities.

The Vía Verde Sierra de Baza follows the former route of the Guadix–Baza railway line. Train services there ended on 31 December 1984.

At the Puente de El Baúl, the paths of the former railway line are used to view the landscape in northeastern Granada and preserved elements of industrial railway history. The historic route thus remains recognisable as part of the landscape and its technological past.

Historic Structures and Protected Areas

The Castillo de Baúl is a medieval military fortress on Cerro Testigo southeast of the settlement. The remains of walls and a rectangular tower survive from the castle. Despite its present condition, the surviving structures give the complex a clearly recognisable historic form.

The Castillo de Baúl is gradually deteriorating, but it preserves important components. The area designated as a BIC lies between the gorges of Baúl and Valdiquín, beside the railway bridge and the centre of Baúl. This designated area therefore includes both the surroundings of the castle and prominent landscape and railway elements.

Near the centre of Baúl, the megalithic necropolis designated as a BIC comprises six megalithic tombs. The necropolis complements the medieval castle and the traces of industrial history with a significantly older testimony to the history of the settlement.

Patron Saint Festivals

Traditional patron saint festivals are celebrated in Baúl in honour of San Isidro Labrador and the Virgen de Fátima. Baúl's patron saint festivals include regional dances, ribbon races, music, sports and traditional games. The festivities combine religious dedications with regional performances and communal games.

Other Places

Other places on this page: Alfornón, Huétor Vega, Tocón, Loja, Melegís, Ugíjar, Alcudia De Guadix, Laroles.

To the higher-level travel overview: Granada.