Kilometre-by-kilometre description
KM 0–2: Leaving Osuna
The stage begins in Osuna on the old road to Granada, next to a transformer near the Santa María de la Asunción Collegiate Church and the University building. Almost immediately the route passes the archaeological remains of the Iberian and Roman settlement of Urso.
Leaving the soft landscape of the Sevillian plain, the road heads into the more abrupt terrain of the Baetic sierras. After descending the eastern side of Loma de las Canteras the route joins a smooth, wide, whitish trail and turns left onto flatter ground.
KM 2–13: Towards Estepa
The main trail continues among wheat fields, sunflowers and olive groves, climbing steadily to the top of Calamorro (324 m). From the summit there is a wide panoramic view of the Río Blanco valley and the Sierra del Becerro (844 m). A long descent leads to the Aguadulce–El Rubio road, where the route turns left.
After a short stretch of flat road the path turns right onto an earth trail that drops to a small river (km 13.2). In summer the water level is usually low, but after heavy rain this can be a more difficult crossing.
KM 13–27: Across the plain to Estepa
In the middle of a sunflower plain the route passes Cortijo la Habichuela and later Cortijo de la Ventilla. A long, gentle slope leads to the top of Cerro de la Bodeguita. After Cortijo del Duende a right turn at a crossing brings the rider to a well in the front patio where bottles can be refilled (confirm that the water is potable).
Estepa becomes visible at the foot of the Sierra del Becerro. The trail descends towards Cortijo del Arroyo Granado, crosses the stream and climbs again past Cortijo de Ales and Cortijo Pozo del Villar (another stone well with a fig tree). After Cortijo Polvorín the route runs parallel to the A-92, passes under a bridge and climbs into Estepa.
Estepa, sometimes called “the Balcony of Andalusia”, is a good place for a longer stop: the castle, towers, churches and the town’s famous confectionery (a legacy of the Moorish period) are all worth visiting.
KM 27–42: Over the Sierra del Becerro to La Roda de Andalucía
Leaving Estepa along Avenida de Andalucía, the route follows an asphalted road past the cemetery of Santiago Apóstol and climbs gently into the Sierra del Becerro. At a quarry near the top the descent to Fuente de Santiago begins.
The trail climbs again between olive trees, with the Sierra del Hacho (705 m) to the right and the Sierra de las Algaidillas ahead. In a depression to the left, Lora de Estepa can be seen. At the mountain pass next to the Santa Ana quarry there is a clear view of the Sierra de Yeguas. A short descent is followed by a left turn onto an earth trail that skirts the Sierra de las Algaidillas, passing Finca La Cañada.
Still descending among olive groves, the route reaches the A-93, crosses it through a tunnel, passes the railway and fords the Arroyo Salinoso to enter La Roda de Andalucía (km 42.2). Nearby lies the Laguna de Ratosa Nature Reserve.
KM 42–54: Entering Malaga province and Fuente de Piedra
Leaving La Roda de Andalucía, the route crosses the Arroyo de la Albina / Yeguas and joins a trail that passes under the A-92 and climbs gently among olive trees to the Sierra de los Caballos (highest point Castillo, 687 m). From the ridge there are excellent views of the Hoya del Navazo basin, the Fuente de Piedra salt lake and, on the horizon, the limestone mass of El Torcal de Antequera.
The trail descends to a railway bridge (km 47.6) and continues parallel to the tracks for a short distance. Here the route crosses the provincial boundary from Seville into Malaga. After a tunnel under the railway a right turn leads around Cortijo de la Doctora towards the town of Fuente de Piedra and the lake.
At Cerro del Palo the Lake Visitor Centre is located. The route follows the road around the lagoon, bordered by reed beds, with surrounding fields of sunflowers, cereals and olives.
KM 54–67: Humilladero and Mollina
Leaving the lake, the route crosses a road and railway. A trail beside an irrigation ditch leads to a path parallel to the railway; after crossing a bridge (km 57.7) it skirts the foothills of the Sierra de Humilladero and joins the Humilladero–Bobadilla road, entering the town along Calle Ana Alba.
South of the sierra lie the Lagunas de Campillos Nature Reserve. The highest points of the Sierra de Humilladero are Puntal de la Sierra (680 m) and El Pollo (628 m). Leaving Humilladero on the old N-334, the route turns left at the Humilladero Cross, next to the industrial slaughterhouse.
A smooth ridge of olive groves is followed by a descent on zigzagging trails through reddish land planted with vines. After passing under a bridge the route joins the road to Alameda and enters Mollina. The town is left on the old N-334, passing Cortijo de San José (with a useful fountain). Antequera is already visible in the distance.
KM 67–87: The plain of Antequera
The final section crosses the fertile plain of Antequera. A longer route is necessary because of the network of roads, but the landscape compensates with the change from dry to irrigated land and from wheat fields to orchards, all sustained by the Guadalhorce river and its canals.
The route passes the Saydo Hotel, Cortijo de Santa Teresa, several canal crossings, the road to Jerez, and cortijos such as Los Prados, Quemado and del Lavadero. After crossing the old N-334 an asphalted path flanked by tall cypress trees leads to a bridge over the Guadalhorce.
Once across the bridge the route turns left onto the Via Pecuaria Cordel de Villanueva de Antequera (now asphalted) and enters the centre of Antequera next to the church of San Sebastián.
Map of the rural roads to Antequera
