コルドバの滝・トップ8

The Baths of Poppaea are a natural stretch of small waterfalls alternating with small pools that follow the course of the Molino stream, near the mouth of the Guadiato River. This area was visited by Christopher Columbus. Its name comes from the place where the Cordoba poets of the Cántico Group used to visit, as during the Franco regime it was a safe place, away from the scrutiny of this intellectual group, as well as the homosexuality of some of them. One day, three members of the group, Pablo García Baena, Juan Bernier, and Ricardo Molina, were walking when they saw some girls bathing in the stream. The latter exclaimed, "Look, like Poppaea in the bath," referring to the Roman Empress Poppaea Sabina, a prominent figure at the time due to the film The Sign of the Cross (1932), in which actress Claudette Colbert appeared bathing in donkey's milk, just as the Empress did. The girls told the residents of Trassierra about this incident, and from then on, the story spread and became known as the Baths of Poppea. https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ba%C3%B1os_de_Popea

A waterfall known as the "first spring of the Bejarano," whose water flow has always been active. There are few remains of an ancient structure from which the water flows: the aquifer catchment. The Romans knew how to harness this important spring, unique in these mountains, due to the large amount of water it provides every season (estimated at 20,000 to 35,000 m3/day). (Source: https://www.conocetusfuentes.com/ficha_detalle.php?id_fuente=10057)

Please note that this highlight is also listed in the description as a parking spot. However, we found that it is not allowed to drive up to the indicated parking spot/start of the route with a car. Just park near the jardin de popea and start the hike from there, it will add 2.5 km to the distance but is not too bad.

Currently difficult to access. Extensive construction work is already visible and gives an idea of a beautiful place.

Don't let illegal wells kill this place

Spectacular waterfall that is reached by a cattle path that coincides with a path from Roman times. Before reaching the waterfall there are several pools in which you can bathe.

The pool formed by this waterfall is a great place to take a bath at the beginning or end of the route, or both.

Seasonal waterfalls that appear after copious rains. Due to the porosity of the terrain, only when the amount of water is greater than what the terrain is capable of absorbing, do waterfalls form, sometimes even making it difficult to pass and not being able to make the route in a circular way. It is convenient to inquire at the Santa Rita Visitor Center about their status and check if an authorization is required to visit them, which is sometimes established to control the influx of people to this Zone A Reserve of the Protected Natural Area.