Sorbas is the name of a town in Almería, famous for its gypsum caves, and it is also the name of a cortijo, a farmhouse, in the hills south of Letur in Albacete, which is a coincidence that has confused more than one traveller. Cortijo de Sorbas is a shelter in a rough, dry upland that belongs to the municipality of Letur, about twelve kilometres from the village, and the ride that visits it also includes sites such as Los Sacristanes and the Cueva del Gitano.
Letur is the town to know. It stands on the edge of a deep ravine, a cluster of whitewashed houses along narrow, twisting lanes, with a plan inherited from the Moors who held it until the thirteenth century, and its lanes are worth an hour on foot. It has bars, a couple of viewpoints and a setting that is hard to beat. From there, the road to the Cortijo winds through pine and juniper, with the surface ranging from good to rough, and the bends tighter than you might expect.
This is the northern edge of the Sierra de Segura, and the landscape has the feel of the high Meseta cut by rivers. Spring is the time for wildflowers, and the autumn brings clear air. In summer the heat is dry and hard, and in winter snow can close the higher roads. Take care with gravel and loose stones, particularly after rain.
Fuel is at Moratalla, twenty-one kilometres away, which has a full range of services. Socovos, fourteen kilometres off, is smaller. If you are going to the shelter, make sure to carry water, wear boots, and ask locally about access, because some sites lie on private land and are reached by tracks across farms. Be courteous, close any gates you open and leave the paintings alone.