The best traffic-free bike rides around Hornachuelos

Castelo dos Infantes [1 ]​ (officially called Santiago de Castelo dos Infantes) [2 ] ​[3 ]​ is a parish and a village [4 ] ​in the municipality of Sarria, in the province of Lugo, Galicia.

Non-cycling route in many sections. Fences with padlocks Not recommended for bikes Yes for hiking

The town of San Calixto, about 17 km from Hornachuelos, is located in the heart of the Natural Park. Its origin is found in the ancient and legendary Monastery of Tardón, founded in the 16th century. XVI by Brother Mateo de la Fuente, disciple of Saint John of Ávila and hermit from the wilderness of Córdoba, in the company of Brother Diego Vidal. Due to their reputation for holiness, many others joined them. Installed in some mountains heavily populated with thistles, which is why they called it Cardón, in a hut that served as their church, they placed an image of Saint Michael. Over time, these anchorites decided to live under one of the rules approved by the church, and chose that of San Basilio, founding in 1543 the Monastery of San Basilio del Tardón, a nickname derived from Cardón, which remained inhabited by monks until the year 1808. Twenty years later, Francisco Sánchez Gadeo founded the last of the New Towns of Sierra Morena, protected by the repopulating spirit of Carlos III and following his colonizing precepts. In memory of the day of the birth of King Ferdinand VII, October 14, the name of San Calixto was given to the new town.

In the North of the Province of Córdoba, and following the local road CO-5314 that enters the Sierra de Hornachuelos, in the municipality of Posadas we find an old mining exploitation "Las Minas de la Plata", which despite its Abandoned state, it has become an obligatory route for hikers and hikers thanks to its great scenic beauty. At the foot of the road we find a series of abandoned buildings belonging to the Spanish-German company Sociedad Especial Minera Santa Bárbara, which was responsible for the exploitation of the mine at the end of the 19th century. These mines, which were already exploited by the Romans, were closed in 1914 due to World War I, since the material obtained was melted down in Belgium and with the war they could no longer be transported to the foundries.

Built on the bed of the Retortillo river, this reservoir is located between the Sierra Norte de Sevilla natural park and the Sierra de Hornachuelos natural park, which in turn form part of the Sierra Morena massif.

It is a castle from the mid-14th century located in the heart of the town of La Puebla de los Infantes. Although it is in ruins, two towers are still preserved. It is freely accessible, so you can visit it whenever you want.

One of the buildings - witnesses of the old mining exploitation of the XIX century. It belonged to the Spanish-German company Sociedad Especial Minera Santa Bárbara. Although it is abandoned and it is not possible to enter, this place has become an obligatory route due to its great scenic beauty. These mines were closed in 1914 due to World War I, they reopened in 1922 to close permanently in 1924.

A small viewpoint where we can see the Bembézar River that feeds the reservoir of the same name. Hornachuelos is a town in the Sierra Morena, where we can get our water supply from one of the public fountains, before continuing on our route.