Bédar Jeep Safari: Mining Tunnels & Mountain Views

A 1902 mining tunnel cuts straight through the mountain, and you drive through it.

A 4-hour Jeep tour through the Bédar Mountains in Andalusia combines mining heritage with mountain scenery and village food. You drive through a narrow 1902 tunnel, hike a short route past mining relics, view the Jupiter Pit from a scenic overlook, and stop at a Buddhist center before ending in the whitewashed village of Bédar with 2 Spanish tapas and a drink at a traditional bar.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jeep safari and tapas in Bédar

• Drive through narrow mining tunnel
• Pass historic San Manuel mining site
• View Jupiter Pit from viewpoint
• Visit peaceful Buddhist center
• Enjoy tapas and drink in Bédar
• Walk through mountain village
• Return by Jeep to start

The experience

The tour starts with the tunnel: a 200-meter passage built in 1896 that once carried minerals out of the surrounding mines. Your Jeep takes you through it, then follows an elevated path past the Concesión San Manuel mining site, where iron ore was extracted from 1870 to 1942. The route passes small caves and a historic loading station before reaching the viaduct Puente Barranco de La Prarda, where the Jeeps wait while you walk. The path is flat and requires no special fitness. The views are the point.

From the viaduct, a scenic viewpoint overlooks the Júpiter Pit: a massive open-cast shaft dug around 1910 during intensive iron ore mining. The scale of it is a reminder of how much was pulled from these mountains. A short drive brings you to Rigdzin Namkha Dzong, a Buddhist retreat center perched in the peaks with views that reach the Mediterranean. The contrast between the industrial past and this quiet spiritual space is deliberate. The tour gives you both.

The final stop is Bédar itself, a whitewashed village where you sit at a traditional tapas bar and choose 2 tapas, bread, and a drink. A walk through the village follows before the Jeep takes you back to the starting point and then to your original pickup location. The whole day is 4 hours.

What’s included

• Two typical Spanish tapas and fresh bread.
• one drink of your choice at the tapas bar in Bédar.
• Jeep transport throughout the tour.
• live guide in English, Spanish or German.
• hotel or accommodation pickup and return.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 to 90 years) · Child (2 to 11 years)

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortInfant seats availableNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problems

Operated by ACT-Adventuretours

Is this one for you?The tour involves a 20-minute walk on a flat, historic mining route and a short stroll through the village, so it suits travelers comfortable with light activity and closed shoes. Children from age 2 are welcome, though they must stay in the vehicle at the Jupiter Pit viewpoint.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (2 to 11 years).

What is the San Manuel Tunnel like to drive through?

The San Manuel Tunnel was built in 1902 and runs 200 meters through solid rock. The ceiling height is 1.30 to 1.60 meters, so it is narrow and low, but the Jeep fits through and the passage is the highlight of the drive.

How much walking is involved on this tour?

A 20-minute hike takes you through a secret tunnel into a nearby valley past mining relics and caves. The route is flat with no steep climbs, and the walk through Bédar village at the end is short and leisurely.

What can you see from the Jupiter Pit viewpoint?

The Júpiter Pit is an enormous man-made shaft created by iron ore mining around 1910. From the viewpoint, you see the full depth and scale of the excavation. Children should stay in the vehicle at this stop.

What do you eat and drink in Bédar?

At a traditional tapas bar in the village, you choose 2 Spanish tapas and fresh bread, plus one drink of your choice. The tapas are typical Andalusian fare served as part of the tour.

Is pickup from my hotel included?

Yes, pickup is included. The tour starts at a meeting point and ends by returning you to your original pickup location.