Cortijo Los Abedules

We found the house clean, with big rooms and a kitchen that had everything we needed. The patio was great for dining outside, and the pool was handy. The location is convenient for Cazorla, but among the olive trees it’s very quiet, and the night sky is full of stars. The owners are friendly, and the path to the house is fine and clearly marked.

The apartments give you access to peaceful gardens, a pool, and a sunbathing area, so it’s easy to slow down and relax. There’s a choice of accommodation for most needs, and although it feels tucked away, everything is still within easy reach. The hosts have made a lovely place to stay. There’s so much to explore nearby. The Natural Park of the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y las Villas is right on the doorstep, with wildlife, scenery, and mountains shaped by erosion and human activity. We saw vultures circling overhead. At the Centro de Interpretación de Madera at Vadillo Castril, you can learn why this area was made a “maritime province” despite being far from the sea, and how it later helped Spain’s railways develop. Guided 4x4 tours visit the source of the Rio Guadalquivir and other “secret” places that aren’t open to the general public. At the castle courtyard in Segura de Sierra, there are displays about how people lived in the past, and you can have lunch in the village afterward. There are plenty of other interesting villages to visit nearby too. Baeza and Úbeda, both UNESCO World Heritage sites, are close by and full of history. Farther south, Guadix and its surroundings have cave homes carved into soft clay that hardens like rock, keeping them cool in summer and warm in winter. To the north, the Natural Park de Despeñaperros offers more to see. It’s said to be where Christians threw the bodies of Moors after the battle at Navas de Toloso. The old road through the gorge has lovely scenery and is much quieter since the new road opened. There are several other natural parks within reach as well: Sierra Mágina and Sierra de Andujar to the west and northwest, and, over in Granada province to the southeast, Sierra de Castril next to the Natural Park of Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas, along with Sierra de Baza. There’s much more to see and do if you have the time. We’ll be staying here again in a couple of months and are really looking forward to it.

We had great accommodation in a spectacular setting, and the hosts made us feel very welcome.

Such a lovely place. Roger and his wife are fantastic.