Sierra Norte Natural Park in Seville

Find out the Sierra Norte Natural Park, the biggest protected area in the province of Seville

The Sierra Norte Natural Park stretches 1,775 square km north of Seville, bordering the Spanish Autonomous Region of Extremadura on the north and the Sierra de Hornachuelos natural park on the east. It houses ten villages, characterised by spectacular fortresses, and many hiking routes, which you can make the most of to discover the peculiar flora and fauna that lives here.

This natural park is part of the biggest Sierra Morena and of the Dehesas de Sierra Morena Biosphere Reserve, which also englobes the Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche natural park in Huelva and Sierra de Hornachuelos natural park in Cordoba.

The Sierra Norte was declared Natural Park in 1989 by the UNESCO, thanks to the richness of its geological and hydrological features, together with the wildlife that lives here.

Towns worth stopping by in the Sierra Norte Natural Park

Choosing only some of the villages encompassed in the Sierra Norte may be a challenging task. Anyhow, these are the ones you must see if you’re planning a trip to northern Andalucia.

Constantina

With more than 6,000 inhabitants, this town is the biggest village of the Sierra Norte natural park. The Islamic fort on the hilltop west of the town makes for a great walk finish line. Discover why it was declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1985 while enjoying the panoramic views of the village. Another point of interest in Constantina is the Church of Santa María de la Encarnación, whose 50 mt-tall tower you can spot from every point of the town.

Among the routes leaving from Constantina, the circular Sendero de Los Castañares is one road on which you can’t miss out. Starting from Paseo de la Alameda, this 5.5 km-long route takes you along the Cuesta de Márquez and toward the Pago de la Erilla, where you start going back to the town. The road ends at the foot of the Castillo de Constantina.

Other routes are Camino de la Jurdana (west of Constantina), Sendero Cerro del Hierro, a 2,5 km-long route stretching north up to the stunning Cerro del Hierro (a spectacular coal mountain that used to be an iron mine), and the Sendero Molino del Corcho, along with the River Huéznar.

Cerro del Hierro in the Sierra Norte Natural Park in Seville

Tourist office of Constantina:

Address: Avenida de Andalucía
Opening hours:

From Tuesday to Thursday: from 9 am to 2 pm
Friday and Saturday: from 9 am to 2 pm and from 6 pm to 9 pm
Sunday and Festive days: from 10 am to 2 pm

Cazalla de la Sierra

80 km north-east of Seville lies this 5,000-inhabitant village. It is said to be the entrance gate of the park, but this town lives for its beauty. Surrounded by hills, this gorgeous town is looked over by the Moorish-Renaissance church of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación (Our Lady of Consolation), declared Bien de Interés Cultural in 1983.

Cazalla de la Sierra is also a great starting point for engaging hiking routes, the Sendero de Las Laderas, which leaves from El Chorrillo fountain and flanks the River Huéznar, and the Camino Viejo de la Estación, which goes the other way round. Doing both of them means walking 9 km in the stunning nature of the Sierra Norte.

Sendero de los Aguardienteros – Sierra Norte de Sevilla from Ángel Pérez on Vimeo.

Other towns in the Sierra Norte Natural Park:

Alanís
Almadén de la Plata
Guadalcanal
El Real de la Jara
El Pedroso
La Puebla de los Infantes
Las Navas de la Concepción
San Nicolás del Puerto

Visitors Centre in the Sierra Norte Natural Park

Visitor Centre El Robledo in Seville — *Photo courtesy of Centro de Visitantes El Robledo*

The only visitor centre of this park is located in the middle of it, named Centro de Visitantes El Robledo. While here, don’t miss out on the opportunity to discover El Robledo botanical garden, where you will find an exhibition of the vegetation typical of Andalucia and, in particular, of the Natural park. Moreover, you can enjoy guided tours and ethnobotanical workshops. If you are interested, you can book in advance, as they provide customised activities.

Opening hours of the visitors centre El Robledo: Tuesday to Sunday: from 10 am to 2 pm

How to get to El Robledo Visitors centre:

The visitor centre is located along the A452 El Pedroso road, 1 km west of the town of Constantina.

You can reach the Visitors centre by car, either from Seville or from Cordoba, as displayed on the map.

Places to stay in the Sierra Norte Natural Park

There are a few villas located close to this mesmerising natural park. You can enjoy their facilities while delighting with unbelievable views and fresh breeze. Wait no more and discover what the province of Seville can offer you!