Cortes De La Frontera: Nature and Cultural Heritage

For your trip planning, Cortes de la Frontera combines natural attractions with distinctive traces of local and regional history. The Cañón de las Buitreras is a geological natural monument covering an area of 21.9 hectares and belongs to the municipalities of Cortes de la Frontera, Benalauría, and Benarrabá in the province of Málaga.

Nature Between Rock and Water

The Guadiaro River has carved the Cañón de las Buitreras into a narrow gorge. Karst passages, caves, and numerous waterfalls are part of this landscape. Wildlife also shapes the natural environment: a significant colony of griffon vultures nests on the steep rock faces, and otters also live in the gorge’s waters.

Laguna del Moral offers a different focus. It is a seasonal habitat for newts and frogs; water levels and animal activity change throughout the year. Alongside the Cañón’s permanent rock and karst formations, there is also a wetland and its seasonal changes.

Hiking Trail and the History of La Sauceda

The La Sauceda hiking trail passes through a small valley formed by the Arroyo Rosada Llana, also known as Pasadallana. It runs past the old Molino del Mondo grain mill and the former settlement of La Sauceda. Remains of a chapel, which also served as a school for a time, have been preserved there. The mill, settlement, and chapel remains offer several distinct historical points of interest along the trail.

For centuries, La Sauceda was a refuge for bandits and for people who had been driven from their homes. During the Spanish Civil War, Francoist troops inflicted heavy damage on the settlement; it was even bombed from the air. La Sauceda’s history thus ranges from its long role as a refuge to a violent turning point in the 20th century.

An official permit is required for the La Sauceda hiking trail. Factor the permit and any closures into your plans, and check the conditions before setting out.

Archaeology, Pilgrimage, and Local Events

Another cultural highlight is the Ruta de Levante: it starts in Cortes de la Frontera and leads, among other places, to the Roman ruins of Saeponta. Cortes de la Frontera is also home to the parish church of Nuestra Señora del Rosario, which is associated with an important pilgrimage. The archaeological traces along the route and the religious tradition surrounding the parish church offer distinct cultural points of interest.

The Jornadas Micológicas are also part of the local event history. Announced for February 3 and 4, 2024, the 22nd edition was part of a series held since 2002; the Jornadas were awarded the Fiesta de Singularidad Turística Provincial distinction. The program for that edition included excursions into the countryside, workshops on identification and cultivation, Micotapas or Micotapa routes, live cooking, tastings, photography competitions, and exhibitions.

Discover more destinations: Villanueva Del Trabuco, Cañete La Real, Jimera De Líbar, Sierra De Yeguas, Genalguacil, Cajiz, Pizarra, Arriate.

For the main travel overview: Málaga.