Camino de Marmolejo al Santuario de la Virgen de la Cabeza
The place
The Camino de Marmolejo is a 150 km pilgrim route from the town of Marmolejo (Jaén, Andalusia) to Córdoba, and from there heading north towards Santiago de Compostela. The route crosses the Guadalquivir Valley, the Córdoba countryside with its olive groves and estates, and the city of Córdoba (UNESCO World Heritage). One of the Andalusian routes to Santiago that connects inland Andalusia with the Camino Mozárabe.
Why go
Marmolejo and its thermal baths. Andújar and the sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza. Sierra Morena Natural Park. Córdoba: the Mosque-Cathedral (UNESCO), Medina Azahara (UNESCO), the Jewish Quarter.
A bit of history
Marmolejo has a spa tradition dating back to Roman times and was a destination for pilgrims and travellers in the Middle Ages. The route connects with the Roman Via Augusta, which ran through the Valley of the Betis (Guadalquivir). The Camino Mozárabe, of which this route is a tributary, was used by Mozarabic Christians making pilgrimage from medieval Muslim Andalusia.
Getting there
Marmolejo: bus from Andújar (20 min), Linares-Baeza train from Madrid (2h30). Córdoba: AVE high-speed train from Madrid (1h45) and Seville (45 min).
Recommended gear
Trail shoes or lightweight boots. Hat and sun protection (the Andalusian countryside is very exposed). Plenty of water.
Best season
October to May. Avoid July–August (extreme heat, 38–42°C across the countryside).