Looking to escape the crowds and discover a quieter side of Andalucía? The Sierra Norte de Sevilla is a prime semi-mountainous playground for outdoor adventures and exploring whitewashed towns not far from the capital of Seville.
Sierra Norte de Sevilla is up in the northern part of the province, but it feels like a whole different world from the busy streets of Seville. It’s all about forest paths, whitewashed villages, and wide open countryside. It’s perfect for an outdoor getaway from the city or a relaxing stop on a longer trip through southern Spain.
This guide shares practical tips on how to explore the Sierra Norte de Sevilla. You’ll find everything from easy cycling routes and scenic hikes to small-town highlights like Cazalla de la Sierra. So, lace up your hiking boots, hop on a bike, or just slow down to the sounds of nature, and you’ll soon see why this underrated region of Andalucía is well worth your time.
Guadalcanal Views
About Sierra Norte de Sevilla
Where is Sierra Norte de Sevilla
The clue is in the name, as Sierra Norte de Sevilla translates to “northern mountain range of Seville”. It’s part of the bigger Sierra Morena range in Andalusia, stretching around 450 kilometres east to west across southern Spain.
Sunset over San Benito Church at Cazalla de la Sierra
How to get to Sierra Norte de Sevilla
By Car
Reaching Sierra Norte de Sevilla by car is pretty straightforward and gives you the most flexibility to explore at your own pace. It’s about 1.5 hours from Seville, 2 hours from Córdoba, and just under 2.5 hours from Mérida, Extremadura Province. The roads are in good shape, and the drive takes you through scenic countryside and whitewashed villages.
For car hire, check out Discover Cars for good comparison rates.
By Train
You can reach Sierra Norte de Sevilla easily by train. From Seville, hop on the Cercanías C-3 line, which runs from Sevilla-Santa Justa to Cazalla-Constantina and Pedroso. The ride takes about 1.5 hours and bikes are allowed on board. If you’re coming from Mérida, the main regional train to Seville also stops at these stations.
CLICK for the Cercanías Sevilla Route Map
Cazalla-Constantina Train Station
Sustainable Travel in Sierra Norte de Sevilla
Visiting the Sierra Norte de Sevilla supports sustainable travel by shifting tourism away from Andalucía’s more crowded cities and coastlines. Staying and spending in these lesser-known villages helps maintain local economies and supports people who are genuinely invested in protecting their environment and culture. This could include staying in rural guesthouses, dining in a family-owned restaurant or a locally run bike rental shop.
Parque Natural Sierra Norte de Sevilla is an ideal region for low-impact activities like hiking, cycling and wildlife watching. The protected natural park encourages responsible travel through well-maintained trails, eco-friendly places to stay, locally sourced produce and a real focus on looking after the landscape. If you’re after a quieter, greener way to experience Andalucía, with fewer cars and more fresh air, this is the place to be.
Olive Oil Farm in Guadalcanal
Things To Do In Sierra Norte de Sevilla
Cycling the Sierra Norte Greenway
If you’re up for an easy, scenic ride through one of Andalusia’s lesser-known spots, the Sierra Norte Greenway (La Vía Verde de la Sierra Norte) is a great shout. It follows an old mining railway, so the path is mostly flat, easy to follow, and beginner-friendly. The route covers just over 19 km from Cazalla-Constantina to El Cerro del Hierro, with rustic villages like Cazalla de la Sierra, Alanís, and San Nicolás del Puerto along the way if you fancy a break.
Along the way, you’ll ride through cork oak forests, past abandoned stone stations, and alongside the waterfalls of the Huéznar River. If you’re lucky, you might spot deer, wild boar, or even a king eagle gliding overhead. I went in late April, and the wildflowers were everywhere — red poppies, yellow dandelions, purple lavender, and oversized daisies bursting out of the green fields.
How to cycle Sierra Norte Greenway
You’ve got two options: book a guided tour or do it on your own. For a DIY day out, rent a bike in Seville, then catch the Cercanías train from Santa Justa station to Cazalla-Constantina. The train ride takes about 90 minutes, and you can bring your bike for free. It is best to avoid peak rush hour if you’re taking a bike, as other passengers would take priority.
Some routes worth considering are;
- Train to Cazalla-Constantina – From Cazalla-Constantina station, either do a round trip and cycle back to the station or continue past Constantina and catch the return train from Pedroso.
- Starting from Cazalla de la Sierra – If you’re staying in Cazalla de la Sierra, you can rent a bike in town and kick off the route from there. It’s about 20 km to San Nicolás del Puerto. Just keep in mind, you’ll need to figure out how to get back. Either cycle the same way or arrange a pick-up if you don’t fancy the return ride.
I took an organised tour with PinaPark Eventos Activos, which started near El Cerro del Hierro, a former iron mine with karstic rock formations, and ended at Cazalla-Constantina train station.
USEFUL LINKS: Bike Rentals in Seville | Private 1-Day Ebike Tour to Sierra Norte Greenway
|| READ ABOUT THE CLASSIC SPANISH TAPAS I ATE IN ANDALUCIA
Hiking in Sierra Norte de Sevilla
Hiking in the Sierra Norte de Sevilla is a great way to experience the quiet beauty of Andalusia’s countryside. The natural park has well-marked trails that take you through forests of cork oak and holm oak, along rivers, and past old mills and abandoned railway bridges.
A popular shorter route is the 1-hour quarry hike around Cerro del Hierro, a dramatic landscape of jagged limestone peaks and former iron mines. The circular trail has craggy karstic formations, wildflowers in spring, and sweeping views over the Sierra Morena.
This region is also home to part of the Camino de Santiago, so if you want to tackle a longer hike, try the Camino de la Frontera route, one of the lesser-walked paths. Pilgrims pass through Cazalla de la Sierra and nearby towns as they make their way north. Even if you’re not walking the full route, it’s worth sampling a section to get a feel for the pilgrimage experience on quiet trails.
USEFUL LINKS: Sierra Norte Routes | Camino de la Frontera Route
Take an Oil Tasting Tour in Guadalcanal
Take an olive oil tasting tour with award-winning Sierra de Guadalcanal. The cooperative (Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza San Sebastián) for 500 family fincas creates two brands of high-quality oils (Sierra de Guadalcanal & Guadalimón). Who knew the oils can have a slightly bitter/spicy taste?
After the tour, wander around the town of Guadalcanal. If Santa Ana Church is open, check if you can climb the tower for endless views of olive groves and whitewashed houses. The Mudejar-style church was built on the remains of a mosque dating from the 13th century and constructed as a Christian church in the late 15th-early 16th century. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, have a lunch at Casa los Monteros with homemade Andalucian tapas with local produce from farms and artisans in the region. Muy delicioso!
Olive Oil Tasting with Sierra de Guadalcanal
Explore Cazalla de la Sierra
There are many Andalusian villages scattered in the foothills of the Sierra Norte de Sevilla with the trademark whitewashed buildings and terracotta roofs, where you can experience slow life in the Province of Sevilla. I stayed in Cazalla de la Sierra to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and explore the nearby trails. It’s the kind of place where people greet you with a warm smile and a friendly “hola” as they walk by.
Getting lost in the labyrinth of narrow alleys in the town is a relatively easy task. Each calle reveals something new, from the stork nesting in the belfry towers to the golden hour over San Benito Church from the mirador. One must-see is the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, a 14th-century church with later Baroque additions.
Don’t miss Plaza de Consejo, where the local swallows put on a surprisingly loud performance as the sun goes down, wall tiles feature quotes from Don Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the Spanish author of Don Quixote, and the lion fountain quietly flows with water from the nearby Rivera del Huéznar.
Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Consolación
White-washed houses at sunset
stork nesting on San Benito Church
Views of historic bullring
Stay in a family-owned posada
I stayed at La Posada del Moro, a cosy, family-run guesthouse with peaceful gardens and a swimming pool surrounded by orange trees and draping wisteria. The inside has a warm, rustic-chic feel that instantly put me in a good mood. Each room follows its own colour theme, from the sunny yellow reception to the deep red lounge, complete with matching walls, paintings, and little decorative touches.
Julia and Lucia, the sister team, have created a must-visit resaturant in Cazalla de la Sierra. Think warm Mediterranean flavours and home-style authentic recipes passed down through generations. The ingredients are souced straight from the mountains from seasonal asparagus and wild mushrooms, to earthy game and tender pork. Lucia and her team in the kitchen create dishes designed to impress even the most seasoned foodies.
|| CHECK availability at La Posada del Moro
Hotel La Posada del Moro in Cazalla de la Sierra
Experience Slow Life at Las Navezuelas
Las Navezuelas has been a labour of love for Luca and Mariló since 1982, when they began restoring an old farmhouse and turning it into a low-impact rural escape just outside Cazalla de la Sierra. They’ve transformed the project around the natural landscape and local biodiversity, creating a peaceful retreat that works with nature.
Set on 136 hectares, the estate is home to olive groves, walking trails, and open meadows filled with cork and holm oaks where Iberian pigs roam freely. The place runs on renewable energy, meals are made with homegrown or local produce, and there are ceramic workshops where you can try your hand at traditional crafts. I only had a morning here, but between a swim in the outdoor pool and spotting birds like hoopoes, swallows, and a king eagle, it was a real reminder to appreciate the slower pace of life in the Sierra Norte Natural Park.
|| CHECK availability at Nas Navezuelas
Swimming Pool at Las-Navezuelas
Handy Links For Sierra Norte de Sevilla
PIN to visit Sierra Norte de Sevilla
Thank you to Spanish Tourism Board for making this trip possible and supporting the creation of this guide to help travellers explore Sierra Norte de la Sevilla. All opinions and words are entirely my own.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. It comes at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.
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