Úbeda, Baeza and the Sierra de Cazorla
Renaissance squares in a sea of olive trees, then the pine forests, gorges and reservoirs of Spain’s largest protected area.
- Distance
- 121 km (75 mi)
- Driving
- 1 h 40 min
- Suggested days
- 4
- Stops
- 8
- Countries
- Spain
- Updated
- August 19, 2026
At a glance: 4-day road trip of about 121 km (75 mi) with 8 stops, from Baeza to Segura de la Sierra. About 1 h 40 min of driving in total.
Route description
Begin in Baeza and Úbeda, two small towns of golden Renaissance palaces and churches ten minutes apart in the olive country of Jaén. In Úbeda the Plaza Vázquez de Molina is the set piece; park outside the old walls, as the centre is a tangle of one-way lanes.
Take the A-315 and A-322 east through endless olive groves to Cazorla, a white town under the cliffs of the sierra, with the Castillo de la Yedra and the ruined church of Santa María. From here the A-319 climbs over a pass into the Sierras de Cazorla, Segura y Las Villas Natural Park and follows the young Guadalquivir.
Stop near Coto Ríos for the Río Borosa trail, which follows a trout stream through the Cerrada de Elías on wooden walkways; the first stretch is easy for families. Deer and ibex are common along the road at dusk. Further north the road runs along the shore of the Tranco reservoir, with swimming spots and campsites.
Finish at Segura de la Sierra, a hill village crowned by a castle with views across the whole range. The A-319 is narrow and winding but fine for motorhomes with care; avoid the park at the busy Easter and August holidays, and come in October and November for the colours and the deer rut.
Stop-by-stop itinerary
In driving order. Distances are estimates between consecutive stops.
- 1Start
Baeza
Spain - 211 km
Úbeda
Spain - 31 km
Plaza Vázquez de Molina
HistoryÚbeda, SpainOne of the finest Renaissance squares in Spain, lined with palaces and the Sacred Chapel of El Salvador. Úbeda and neighbouring Baeza are a joint World Heritage Site; leave the car outside the old walls.
- 442 km
Cazorla
Spain - 51 km
Castillo de la Yedra
HistoryCazorla, SpainA castle keep above the white town of Cazorla, looking out over olive groves to the cliffs of the sierra. Below it lie the roofless ruins of Santa María church, built over a vaulted river.
- 616 km
Río Borosa trail
NatureCoto Ríos, SpainThe classic walk of the Sierra de Cazorla follows a trout river through the narrow Cerrada de Elías gorge on wooden walkways. Go as far as you like; the full route to the upper lakes and tunnels is a long day out.
- 725 km
Tranco reservoir
NatureHornos, SpainA long reservoir on the young Guadalquivir, wrapped in pine forest, with swimming spots and wildlife in the surrounding reserve. The road along its shore is one of the prettiest drives in the park.
- 825 km
Segura de la Sierra
Spain
