The Cañada de la Cruz is a high valley or drovers' pasture in the Segura mountains; cañada is the word for the traditional livestock routes and grazing grounds used by shepherds moving their flocks between summer and winter pastures, and this part of Spain has a long history of transhumance.
Segura de la Sierra, the closest village of note, is one of the most spectacular in Andalusia, a cluster of white houses beneath a castle on a rocky peak, with views over a sea of olive groves to the west and mountains to the east. The poet Jorge Manrique, whose verses on his father's death are a landmark of Spanish literature, is traditionally said to have been born here. The village also has a Moorish bath and a unique square bullring carved into the rock.
The riding in the park is some of the best in southern Spain. Roads like the one from Segura de la Sierra over the mountains toward Santiago de la Espada, or along the Guadalquivir valley toward the Tranco reservoir and Cazorla, offer endless curves, steep climbs and descents, and wonderful views of forests, cliffs and lakes. The roads are narrow and often without guardrails, the surfaces can be bumpy, and in autumn and winter there may be ice in the shade. Deer and wild boar often cross the roads, especially at dawn and dusk, so ride with care. Weekends can be busy with visitors, but weekdays are quiet.
Services in the mountains are limited, so plan ahead. Beas de Segura, about twenty-five kilometres away, is the nearest town with more than five thousand people and all services, and Orcera and Segura de la Sierra have fuel, shops and restaurants. Local dishes include game stews, trout from the mountain rivers, and the excellent olive oil of the region, which you will taste on everything from toast to salads. Carry water and warm clothing, as the weather can change quickly in the mountains.