Aldeaquemada: Nature, Trails and Cultural Heritage

Aldeaquemada is one of the municipalities in the province of Jaén where sites belonging to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Arte Rupestre del Arco Mediterráneo de la Península Ibérica are located.

Nature

The Paraje Natural Cascada de Cimbarra forms part of the Natura 2000 network as a ZEC and ZEPA. The boundaries of these two protected-area designations coincide with those of the natural area.

The Paraje Natural Cascada de la Cimbarra features rugged terrain. A succession of waterfalls and diverse vegetation are also among its landscape characteristics.

In 1989, the Paraje Natural Cascada de la Cimbarra was designated a natural area under Law 2/1989. It was designated a ZEPA in 2002. In 2015, it was designated a ZEC. Within the municipality of Aldeaquemada, the area covers 534 hectares.

Hiking Trails

The Sendero Cascada La Cimbarra is a 1.2-kilometre circular route. The estimated walking time is 30 minutes, and the difficulty level is medium to low.

The Sendero Arroyo Martín Pérez is a 1.1-kilometre linear trail. Its estimated walking time is 40 minutes, and the difficulty level is medium to low.

The Sendero Arroyo Martín Pérez runs mostly parallel to a small mountain stream through riverside vegetation. It passes the Cascada del Cimbarrillo and the Charco del Negrillo.

The Sendero Cerro Monuera is an 8.7-kilometre circular route. Its estimated walking time is 2 hours and 45 minutes, and its difficulty level is medium.

The Sendero Cerro Monuera completely circles the hill and passes through different vegetation and landscape areas across terrain that has been inhabited since prehistoric times.

The three trails differ in their route format: in addition to two circular routes, the described trail network also includes a linear trail. Along the Arroyo Martín Pérez, the small mountain stream and riverside vegetation are the focal points, while along the Cerro Monuera, the focus is on completely circling the hill and the changing landscape areas.

Culture

The Centro de Interpretación de Arte Rupestre offers an immersive exhibition on prehistory. It includes an immersive projection room and 360-degree virtual reality goggles.

The old town of Aldeaquemada preserves its urban layout and its characteristic monumental heritage from the colonies of the Sierra Morena.

The granary, built in 1792, replaced an older building. It served as a regulating granary and occupies an entire city block of monumental dimensions.

The church in Aldeaquemada opened on 8 January 1771. Before that, a house blessed on 8 February 1768 served as a temporary oratory.

The Fiesta de San Antón takes place on 17 January and combines a procession with a communal bonfire. Traditional foods include, for example, bread rings with matalaúva.

Other destinations include Vites, Porcuna, Huelma, Jódar, Santa Elena, Solera, Úbeda and Pontones.

Festivals and Cuisine

The Jornadas Gastronómicas of Aldeaquemada take place every year in May.

For the broader travel overview: Jaen.