Excursion: Granada to Guadix via scenic driving route

If you have a car and you would like to have a pleasant day out an excellent idea would be to go on the scenic route from Granada to Guadix. It is not a good route for people in a hurry because you sometimes get stuck behind cyclists and there are lots of curves but if you like great views and countryside it is an excellent choice. 

I am writing this article from personal knowledge because I live on a farm not far from here. 

To navigate the route it is  best to put La Peza or Quentar into your navigation app. If you put Guadix it will try to take you the mororway route. 

Along the route there are things to see such as the Quentar reservoir. Great picnic spots at the side of the river. Several restaurants.  There are also many hikes that you can go on. You pass through the villages of Dudar, Quentar, La Peza, Baños de Graena and Purullena. In the autumn the poplar trees at the side of the road become a very attractive red colour. 

In this article I will attempt to give information about things to see and do.

The Quentar Reservoir

The reservoir makes a good stop off point. If you have vertigo it will make the veins on the back of your legs contract if you look over the edge of the roadway. I am not totally sure it is legal but lots of people swim in this reservoir. (just don't go anywhere near the dam) 

Click here to see more info about the reservoir: 

There is a self guided hike which starts at this reservoir click here for information

 

Restaurants along the way.

Restaurante Terraza Central II in La Peza  (The picture above)  It is located just at the start of La Peza and does a good menu del dia. Sadly this restaurant has closed. 

Gasolinera de la Peza:  There is a small restaurant at the petrol station outside la Peza. They do good breakfasts, especially if you want an authentic Spanish breakfast such as "tostado con tomate" and you get an excellent FREE tapa with every drink. The price of gas here is normally very competetive. They have 24 hour self service pumps. 

Picnic Spots

There are three really good picnic spots along the route. In the midweek there is normally nobody there but on Sundays many families come to eat together and have barbeques. This type of picnic spots are called "Area Recreativa" The most well known along the route is the "fuente de la gitana" There is a natural spring which has a strong flow of very cold water. Perfect for filling up your water bottles and the best water you will ever taste.  All of the picnic sites are situated next to rivers with lots of large trees which give welcome shade in the summer.  It is normally forbidden to make fire between April and November but in the winter you could take a bag of charcoal and fire up some sausauages or throw a shrimp on the barby if you are Australian. Many years ago we used to go there with a paella pan and make a paella. 

Hiking Routes

There are loads of hiking routes that start along this route.  Here are some links to hikes. 

Tocon de Quentar La Peza Fuente de Gitana Quentar to Beas Dudar Quentar

Curiosities: 

If you don't mind a short walk you can visit this old aqueduct that took water from Dudar to Granada so that it could be used for processing gold. For more information click here

More Photos: 

La Peza   Granada to Guadix Scenic Driving Route 

Other Things to do on this route:

A via Ferrata  Hot thermal  baths (only in Spanish)  Free Parking for Camper vans Cave Museum   Boedgas Muñana Wine (guided tour ) 

Some Links about Guadix:

Tourist Attractions in Guadix 

The inside of Guadix Cathedral 

Barrio de las Cuevas Guadix. 

Note Most people would probably drive back to Granada from Guadix along the motorway. 

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Last Modified on April 11th, 2025
Created on September 28th, 2020
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