Pilas de Fuente Soto: Hiking, olive groves and history

Pilas de Fuente Soto is the settlement where most of the scattered rural population of this area is concentrated. In the rural area of the municipality of Alcalá la Real where the settlement is located, agriculture focuses on olive growing. This gives travellers two distinct points of interest: the GR routes and their respective trail conditions, and the olive oil tradition, which you can learn more about on the tours offered.

Hiking the GR 128 stages

Stage 6 of the GR 128 runs from Peñas de Majalcorón to Pilas de Fuente Soto. It passes through olive groves and the highest part of the municipality, via La Hortichuela and Las Pilillas, before reaching Pilas. For most of its length, it follows the international GR 7 E4, the European route from Gibraltar to the Balkans. Some sections of this stage follow paved tracks that are also used by motor traffic. Check the trail conditions before setting out, and take the shared traffic into account when planning your route.

Stage 7 of the GR 128 runs from Pilas de Fuente Soto to Fuente Álamo and follows an old drovers’ road, some sections of which have disappeared. This route requires particular attention to navigation; a GPS or navigation system may be helpful. Check the conditions before setting out here, too. The stage passes over Puente Suárez and through Cortijo de la Torre.

Near Pilas de Fuente Soto, the GR 7, European Route E 4, crosses the provincial boundary between Córdoba and Jaén. The GR 7 section from Alcalá la Real to Pilas is designated as a 13 km stage. Cyclists also have the Senda Ciclable de las Aldeas on the GR 128 as an option: this circular route of more than 92 km passes through the geography, landscapes and settlements of the municipality of Alcalá la Real.

Cortijo de la Torre and historical sites

Cortijo de la Torre incorporates a Muslim watchtower and lies on stage 7 of the GR 128. The tower stands at an altitude of 670 metres and overlooks part of the course of the Arroyo Saladillo and the depression towards La Rábita. This makes it possible to connect the site with the landscape and historical stops along the route, while keeping the trail information in mind.

South of the watchtower, the route reaches a Roman-era necropolis. The ruins of the Baño de los Ardales are also south of the tower and can be reached via the route. Along with the cortijo and its watchtower, these are several named historical sites along the route described. Stage 7 links these place names with an old drovers’ road, whose partly vanished sections should be taken into account when navigating.

Olive groves and AOVE tours

Olive growing shapes the rural area of the municipality of Alcalá la Real, and stage 6 of the GR 128 passes through olive groves. Oleoteca Florencio Aguilera offers guided tours explaining how AOVE is made. You can also request a tasting to learn about and distinguish the nuances of different oils. Contact them in advance to arrange a tour and tasting.

The family-run Almazara Florencio Aguilera produces early-harvest Picual oil and offers tours of its facilities. Arrange your visit there in advance, too. When planning, this lets you distinguish between routes with different navigation requirements and olive oil-related offerings, without treating the hiking route, tasting and facility tour as the same thing.

Discover more destinations: Castillo De Locubín, Lopera, Hinojares, Torreperogil, Friar, Torres, Vites, Alcalá La Real

For the overview of the wider region: Jaen.