KM 1: FOLLOWING THE OLD TRAIN LINE
We leave Marchena along the road which leads to Fuentes de Andalucía (Fountains of Andalusia). We turn off the right, passing next to a large silo for storing grain, and then continue straight along an earth trail, which was oncea railway track but has been dismantled (although some sleepers still remain along certain stretches).
The rail ascends evenly through Pago Haza de las Viñas, among chickpea plants, sunflowers and, on the crest of the hillock, olive trees. We reach the top of the smooth hillock and make out the silhouette of Fuentes de Andalucia over the horizon. We begin to descent towards a big plain with a rich vegetation of sunflowers, wheat and cotton.
KM 7: FORDING THE CORBONES RIVER
When we reach the bed of the Corbones river we will ford it using a bridge of the old railway route. Along some stretches we are accompanied on both sides by reed beds. In the distance, we observe the presence of small cortijos like Valjimero, Rancho, Luna de Vargas… some of which are flanked by exotic palm trees.
KM 14: ASCENT TO FUENTES DE ANDALUCIA
We reach Arroyo (stream) de la Raspa which we cross using another useful railway bridge. The trail begins to ascend smoothly whilwe the plain begins to get closed in between Loma (hillock) de Mostazar and Cerro (hill) Picoso.
When we see the outline of the churches of Fuente de Andalucía from a hillock, we reach a bridge in ruins which once we crossed the stream called Arroyo de la Fuente de la Reina. We wade across the stream and go up, following the route of the train through the area known as Los Cerillos.
A couple of Acacias next to the remains of an old wayside station give a dissonant note to the infinite hilly terrain.
KM 19: FUENTES DE ANDALUCIA
On reaching Fuentes de Andalucia's cementery, we change to a tarmac road, protected by long row of pretty trees which takes us to the limits of the village. Goingthrough Fuentes de Andalucia we go up Calle San Fernando and take a right turn up Calle la Lentejuela towards the drinkable water fountains of this village. Once we pass next to these, the road begins to go down. Parallel to the road are electrical pylons.
KM 22: MADRE DE FUENTES STREAM
We arrive at the stream called Madre de Fuentes. Normally it is possible to cross the riverbed to reach the other side of the stream.
However, on occasions it is impossible to cross because of the mud and water. In this case we will have to make a detour to the left, and cross over a small cement bridge, then continue our way always ghided by the pylons (This detour is about one km long).
KM 29: RIDING OVER THE HILLOCKS
The track begins to go up a hillock, which, on reaching the top, takes us past Cortijo (farmhouse) de Crespillo and the Casilla de Crespillo warehouses where there are panoramic views of many places.
At km. 26, the track leads us to a cortijo called Ventas del Palmar, so big that even has a chapel. On this stretch, the track is like the theeth of a saw, continuously going up and down, but always smoothly. The pylons accompany us all the way until we reach a junction on a hillock. We will continue straight ahead.
KM 35: IRRIGATED LANDS EN ROUTE TO ECIJA
Soon after, we reach a large plain of irrigated lands. On either side of the track we pass many cortijos, such as Molino del Rejón del Cuervo, Cortijo de la Cueva, Cortijo de la venta del Hierro, Casilla de las Pitas, and Cortijo del Valle We then reach a crossing of paths and electricity lines. We continue straight ahead amongst sunflowers andolive trees. The electricity lines accompany us along the track until we enter the Las Caleras dristrict surrounded by the crops of this "land of calm".
KM 40: A LEGACY OF HORSE BREEDDING
We have behind the pylons that have accompanied us since Fuentes de Andalucia, and take a left turn towards Finca- Lagar de San Pablo, where we find Yeguada (stud farm) de Cardenas (a place situated to the bedding of Andalusian horses). Once we have passed this finca (country estate), we joint the service road of the motorway and continue to the left.
KM 51: ECIJA, CITY OF SUN AND TOWERS
After crossing the Industrial Estate, we enter town of Ecija via Calle Boabdil. We will leave the town on the A-338, which takes us towards Herrera. At about 3.3 km from the beginning of this road, passing the Cortijo Santo Tomás del Valle and crossing the stream Arroyo de Benavides, we leave the road taking a right turn along an earth lane.
KM 81: TOWARDS CHAPARRAL AND HACIENDA DE SANTA CRUZ
Our path is traversed by the la Lentejuela - El Rubio road which we will croos, going down and earth trail.
During the next 4 km we will pass Rancho de Las Rozas and the ruins of Cortijo de la Boticaria, until we reach the wide and smooth whitish coloured path next to Cortijo del Terrocillo. We take this path to the right, entering an area known as Chaparral (Dwarf oak) can be seen next to the tributaries of the stream, Arroyo de las Mozas. When we reach km. 76, we leave this path and take a left turn along a earth trail. At this crossing, and following the path, we are able to see the ruins of Casilla de Sarriá in front of us.
The path takes us to a large Cortijo Hacienda de Santa Cruz. The wrought iron cross (cruz) which gives the place its name is mounted on a cylindrical stone pillar.
KM 86: OSUNA, UNIVERSITY CITY
Once we pass the surrounding of Cortijo Romera and Cortijo delas Cabezuelas, we reach the top of the hillock. From here it is possible to make out of the outskirts of Osuna, at the foot of Loma de Las Canteras. When we reach the outskirts of this town, we will see (on our left) a limestone quarry with a fountain and drinking. Trough for live stock. From here we join the C-340 road (El Rubio Osuna) to enter the town through the Arco de la Pastora (Shepherd- girl's arch).
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