Field Trips

Andujar & Lynx Day Trip

17 October 2024, 7:00 – 18:30
Cost: 20 euros
Pickup & dropoff outside of the Hotel Hesperia
Address: Avenida del Fray Albino 1, 14009 Cordoba Spain

The mountain range of Andujar Natural Park, located northwest of Jaen province in the middle of Sierra Morena, features the largest patches of Mediterranean forest on the Iberian Peninsula. This forest is dominated by holm oak and cork oak, with gall oak at higher, more humid altitudes. The park is home to highly threatened species such as the lynx and the imperial eagle, which have some of their last remaining habitats in these mountains. Livestock farming is also significant, with extensive meadows dedicated to breeding fighting bulls and hunting deer, fallow deer, roe deer, mouflon, and wild boar. Additionally, the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza on Cabezo Hill is notable, with its annual pilgrimage in April drawing tens of thousands of people from across Spain. 

After a short bus ride, we will head to the Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza, where we will begin an easy walk down through some areas where conservation measures have been taken for the recovery of the Iberian lynx. In fact, the lynx population in Andújar is the densest and best preserved, where thorough monitoring is conducted.

The trail will end by a stream of crystal clear waters where we will have lunch. Afterward, on the return bus trip, we will head to the “Cercado del Ciprés,” a forest park where we will visit an exhibition about the Natural Park and the “Iberian Lynx Ecomuseum,” where we can see some Iberian lynx specimens up close and learn more about the species.

Included in the cost (20 euros):

• Travel by bus to and from field trip locations
• Breakfast at Los Pinos
• Picnic lunch
• Entrance to Natural Park and Museum