Driving Through Olive Groves

Olive Grove Route – A Drive Around Jaen, Spain

Feb 25, 2008 Rachel L. Webb

For a short drive through the stunning scenery around Jaen take this route of lesser-known towns.

Spain produces and consumes more olive oil than any other country in the world. This is a picturesque cross country route through the olive groves of Jaen, the world olive oil capital and provincial city, passing through some delightful little towns .

Once you reach Jaen Province there’s nothing to be seen but olive trees, they cross the whole landscape marching in uniform regiment, following the contours of the land and disappearing into the distance.

The colour of the soil varies from a yellowy chalk to a reddy-brown clay, and the trees also vary, but only on closer inspection. There are many varieties of olives but the most common one you will find here is the picual variety.

The start of the route has to be the Cerro de Santa Catalina, the long elongated hill that overlooks Jaen City and many of its olive groves. This is the site of the Parador, visitors centre and a large white monumental cross that marks the gaining of Jaen for the Catholic Kings.

Leave the A316 at the Jaen Sur junction and follow the signs to Parador de Santa Catalina, climb up the steep hill and park in the cobbled car park. Take a stroll along the walkway to the viewing point, this is the beginning. The olive groves surround the city and fade into the distance, we’re going to explore the distance and find that the olive trees actually don’t seem to end – ever!

From the Parador follow the directions to Los Villares, this will take your through the top end of Jaen where you should see the incredible cathedral. Follow Los Villares signs and then pick up the signs for Valepeñas de Jaen and you’ll head out of the city.

Rocky protrusions and olive groves will guide the road upwards towards Los Villares, which is worth a stop to visit the local basketware shops. Follow the road upwards out of Los Villares towards Valdepeñas. There is a natural freshwater spring on this road - Rio Frio - so be sure to top up those water bottles at the fuente.

The road now gives glorious views back down to Jaen, and winds into Valdepeñas, which means rocky valley or valley of the rocks.

This could be a stopping point for lunch before heading out towards Castillo de Locubin, a rocky white-washed town with a fascinating little museum. From Castillo take the Granada turning, on this road look out for the oldest olive tree in Jaen Province, its said to be over a thousand years old.

You can’t miss it as unlike all the other olive trees, it’s left unpruned and is enormous. You’re now approaching the main road into Alcala la Real with La Mota, it’s fortress high up on the hill.

See here for more on Jaen and Andalucia.

The copyright of the article Driving Through Olive Groves in S Europe Travel is owned by Rachel L. Webb. Permission to republish Driving Through Olive Groves in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Olive Groves & Martos Hill