Overview
The Camino Mozárabe was originally a pilgrimage route for Christians heading to Santiago de Compostela from southern Spain. Today it’s a 620km trail, and its name is derived from the Mozarabs, or Christians living under Muslim rule for 700 years. It’s divided into several sections between Almería and Santiago, and this one covers 120km between Granada to Córdoba over eight days, with some spectacular landscapes and heritage influenced by both Muslim and Roman culture and style along the way. Highlights include the Alhambra de Granada, the Mosque of Córdoba and La Mota fortress in Alcalá.
This trip is available from the beginning of January until the end of November. Easter week and December are available on request only.
- Alhambra de Granada
- La Mota fortress
- Baena
- Castro del Río
- Mosque of Córdoba
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Granada
From the airport in Málaga or Granada, take the local bus to Granada, where you stay in a comfortable hotel in the historical part of town. You can stroll around the cathedral and old silk market or enjoy a few drinks with some tapas.
- Accommodation: Hotel Monjas del Carmen (Granada) or similar
Day 2: Granada to Moclín/Tózar | 15km
After breakfast, your taxi brings you to the surroundings of Pino Puente before continuing with your luggage to your next destination. From Moclín, cross a suspension bridge over the river and pass by tombs dug out of the rock and the remains of a defence system set up during the Spanish Civil War near Tózar.
- Walking for the day: 15km, ↑700m
- Accommodation: Hostal Rincón de Marcelo (Tózar) or similar
Day 3: Tózar to Alcalá la Real | 10-21km
Head towards the ancient Malalmuerzo fountain, or Fuente del Malalmuerzo, close to Moclín. From here, continue toward Alcalá. If you wish, you can make today’s route shorter by starting at another point. In Alcalá, you can visit Mota fortress and the old cathedral built by the Christians within its confines.
- Walking for the day: 10-21km, ↑536 ↓
- Accommodation: Mirador Tierra Frontera (Alcalá la Real) or similar
Day 4: Alcalá la Real to Alcaudete | 11.5-25km
After breakfast, a taxi brings you to Puertollano to start your walk to Alcaudete. If you wish to walk less, you can start in Ventas de Carrizal, making it a shorter route of only 11.5km.
- Walking for the day: 11.5-25km, ↑426m ↓
- Accommodation: Hospedería del Castillo (Alcaudete) or similar
Day 5: Alcaudete to Baena | 16.5-25km
Today’s walk includes a trail around Salobral Lake, well known for its flamingos. Your destination today is Baena, an old town famous for its olive oil. Tonight your accommodation is right in the historical centre of Baena, in a Casa Señorial dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. There is an option for a shorter route today of 16.5km.
- Walking for the day: 16.5-25km, ↑292m ↓
- Accommodation: Pension los Claveles (Baena) or similar
Day 6: Baena to Castro del Río/Espejo | 21km
Continue to Castro del Río, another village famous for its olive oil as well as its furniture, made from the region’s olive wood. Your accommodation is in a traditional locally-owned guesthouse with breakfast served in a local bar. If staying in Espejo, a supplement per person will be added.
- Walking for the day: 21km, ↑112m ↓
- Accommodation: B&B in Castro del Río or Espejo depending on availability
Day 7: Castro del Río/Espejo to Córdoba | 21-39km
You can choose the long 39km route today, or be dropped off 18km along the route to shorten your journey and avoid the main roads. To walk into Córdoba, cross the old Roman bridge over the river Guadalquivir before arriving at your hotel.
- Walking for the day: 21-39km, ↑647m ↓
- Accommodation: Posada de Vallina (Córdoba) or similar
Day 8: Departure
Your holiday finishes after breakfast. From Córdoba, you can get to Granada, Málaga, Seville, or Madrid by bus or train.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria, including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Monjas del Carmen (Granada)
- Hostal Rincón de Marcelo (Tózar)
- Mirador Tierra Frontera (Alcalá la Real)
- Hospedería del Castillo (Alcaudete)
- Pension los Claveles (Baena)
- Hotel Posada de Vallina (Córdoba)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days except in Baena. When no restaurant location is available on route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops. There are many local restaurants available near hotels for dinners.
Difficulty and terrain
This walk is graded as easy to moderate. Walks can be made easier by choosing to take the optional transfers available and more challenging by opting out of the transfers and extending the routes (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We provide you with maps, and you can call our local assistance phone number anytime.
When to go
This trip is available from the beginning of January until the end of November. Easter week and December are available on request only although bookings over the Christmas period may not be possible.
The flexibility of self-guided walking holidays means there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any weekday date during the season. Note there is an obligatory supplement if the tour starts on a Saturday or Sunday.
For trips starting during the following Spanish bank holidays (01/05/2024 – 04/05/2024, 11/10/2024 -12/10/2024, 01/11/2024 – 02/11/2024 and 06/12/2024 – 08/12/2024) a supplement per person will be added.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
Arrival in Granada: From Málaga or Granada airports and train stations, you can take a bus to your hotel in Granada.
Departure from Córdoba: From Córdoba, you can get to Granada, Málaga, Seville or Madrid by bus or train.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights in private en-suite rooms
- 6 breakfasts
- Route description, maps, GPS tracks
- Transfers to the start of your walk each morning (excluding day 6)
- Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel on all walking days (1 piece up to 20kg per person)
- Phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Supplement if the tour starts on a Saturday or Sunday
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on the spot)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Hotel upgrade in Córdoba available on request
- Extra nights on request
- Supplement if the tour starts on a Saturday or Sunday
Gallery
