Calle Puerta Nueva, s/n · Hornos de Segura (Jaén) Bar open from 7:00 611 80 46 96
El Cruce de Hornos
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Right from El Cruce’s door

The Sierra awaits

Trails, water, castles and clear skies. This is what you can do setting out from Hornos, on foot or by car, with breakfast before and dinner after.

Things to do A day from here
209,920 ha Spain’s largest protected natural area
1983 UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Hornos Inside the Park, overlooking the Tranco reservoir

Things to do

Choose where to start

Guided activities are booked directly with whoever runs them. If in doubt, ask us at the bar: we know every path.

Villages and castles

Hornos Castle and Cosmolarium

A fortress of the Order of Santiago, now a listed monument, housing an astronomy centre with an 8-metre digital planetarium dome and a stargazing terrace. The Sierra's skies are free of light pollution.

Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30 to 14:00. Afternoon hours change with the season: check their website.

Book with Cosmolarium de Hornos Call

On foot, in the village Short visit
Villages and castles

Aguilón viewpoint

Next to the town hall, looking out over the Natural Park and the Tranco reservoir. The best place to get your bearings before heading out.

Free access.

More information

On foot, in the village A stroll
Walking

Río Borosa trail

The park's best-known walk: boardwalks through the Cerrada de Elías gorge, pools and waterfalls. About 23 km out and back, moderate; you can turn around at any point.

Starts at the Río Borosa fish hatchery, near Torre del Vinagre. Best in spring and autumn; in winter, start early.

More information

[TIME] by car Full day
Water

Kayaking on the reservoir

A guided kayak tour of about four and a half hours, with equipment, picnic breakfast and lunch included. Ages 7 and up.

Booked directly on the provider's platform.

Book with Civitatis

Starts at El Tranco Half day
Walking

Source of the Guadalquivir

Where Andalusia's great river begins, among pine woods at the Cañada de las Fuentes.

Ask us at the bar about the way there and the state of the track before you set off.

[TIME] by car Half day
Villages and castles

Segura de la Sierra

A walled hilltop village crowned by its castle, home to the 'Territorio de Frontera' interpretation centre on the history of the Sierra.

Check castle opening times on the tourism portal.

More information

Neighbouring village · [TIME] by car Half day
Villages and castles

Bujaraiza Castle

A watchtower on an islet in the Tranco reservoir, visible from the road.

Seen from the shore; no ticket needed.

[TIME] by car Quick stop
Night sky

Starry nights

Far from city lights, the Sierra sky fills with stars. Have dinner, then step outside and look up.

Bring a warm layer: nights get chilly, even in summer. Moonless nights are best.

From the village After dinner
Water

Tranco reservoir

One of Spain's largest reservoirs, at the head of the Guadalquivir. Along the left bank (A-319) you'll find viewpoints, picnic areas, waymarked trails and water sports facilities.

Trails PR-A 149, PR-A 193 and a stretch of the GR-144 between Hornos and Cañada Morales.

More information

Right below the village Half day
Villages and castles

Puerta de la Villa and Church of the Assumption

Hornos has been a protected historic site since 1985. The bent-entrance Puerta de la Villa survives from the 10th–11th century walls; the 16th-century church has a Plateresque doorway.

Wander the old town freely.

More information

On foot, in the village A stroll
Walking

Collado del Almendral wildlife park

100 hectares by the southern end of the Tranco, with marked paths and viewpoints to see red deer, fallow deer, mouflon, ibex and birds of prey roaming semi-free.

Check opening times and conditions before you go.

More information

27 km by car Half day

El Cruce does not sell or book third-party activities: each link goes to the organiser or to the source of the information.

Before the walk, after the walk

A day from El Cruce

This is how many of our guests plan it. Winter hours.

  1. 7:00

    Breakfast at the bar

    Coffee and toast before you set off, while the village is still quiet.

  2. 8:30

    Hit the trail

    The Borosa, the Tranco or the castles. Best early, while it’s cool and quiet.

  3. 14:00

    Back for lunch

    Kitchen open until 15:30. Migas, lamb or a hearty stew.

  4. 21:00

    Dinner and stars

    Dinner until 21:45. Then the Sierra sky, and bed upstairs.

Before you go

Three things we’d tell you at the bar

Water, boots and a warm layer

Mountain weather changes fast, even in summer. Take more water than you think you need.

Check trail conditions

Some paths and tracks close for works or fire risk. Check before you set off.

Official Park information

Emergencies: 112

Many gorges have no mobile signal. If you’re staying with us, tell us your route before you leave.

In the village

Hornos festivals

  • 17 January San Antón, with bonfires and local cured meats.
  • Mid-August Feast of the Assumption and San Roque, with Las Vaquillas.

The rooms

Sleep a step from the trail

Six rooms with private bathroom and heating in the centre of Hornos. Come down, have breakfast at 7:00 and head for the hills.

See the rooms Ask on WhatsApp

Opening hours

Open every day
7:00–16:00 and 19:00–22:00
Kitchen: 9:00–15:30 and 19:30–21:45

Winter hours · See summer hours

Where we are

Calle Puerta Nueva, s/n
23292 Hornos de Segura (Jaén)

Directions

Come and see us

Mobile and WhatsApp: 611 80 46 96
Landline: 953 49 50 35

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