The 11 Best Hikes in Seville
The Spanish city of Seville has ancient origins, as you'll find out if you visit one or more of the many Seville museums and other historic popular attractions in this Andalusian town. Home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, Seville or Sevilla in Spanish is one of the best cities in Spain to explore, with some of the most popular attractions in the autonomous region of Andalucia. Known for being the burial site of Christopher Columbus, Seville is also an excellent place to dine.
But outside the attractions of the city itself, you'll find that Seville and this part of Andalucia offer tons of hiking trails where you can enjoy an outdoor adventure. Whether you're hoping to encounter wildlife or take a hiking route that lets you explore the incredible scenery of this part of the country, you're in luck. Seville has more than enough hiking to keep even true outdoor fanatics on the move.
But before you go off exploring, don't forget to drop off your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Seville. To enjoy the best hiking trails in and around Seville, you won't need more than some good hiking boots, some water, sunscreen, and a map. Plus this handy guide, of course.
Our Top Hiking Trail Picks in Seville
Seville Circular
It would be a shame to come to a city as beautiful as Seville and not see as much of it as you possibly can. Traveling on foot is one of the best ways to discover Seville, and this circular route will take you to many of the most important landmarks of the city, and is easily reached from the train station. Starting at Seville Cathedral, head north until you reach the impressive archaeological museum of the Antiquarium. From here, head west to the Jardines de Rafael Montesinos. Turning south, you'll walk along the river to the Torre del Oro, which dates back to the 13th century. Keep heading south to reach another of Seville's excellent urban parks, the Jardin de las Delicias. Walking around the perimeter of the garden before heading north will bring you through the winding narrow streets of Seville back to your starting point at the Cathedral.
Along the way, you'll see many of the city's most important sites, making this one of the best free things to do in Seville. This circular trail covers around 8 km of fairly flat terrain, making it easy enough for just about everyone and with plenty of historical interest along the way.
Parque del Alamillo
Located on the outskirts of Seville, Alamillo Park is a great place for nature lovers to explore. The park has ample green lawns and plenty of trees to provide shade, and its Riverside location makes it a tranquil spot to take a break from the city. If you don't feel like walking, there are also bike rentals available to help you explore not just the park but the surrounding neighborhood.
The park itself sits on a peninsula between two branches of the river, and exploring the whole peninsula offers a moderate hike that covers 25 km on a circular route. You could try it on foot for a challenge or rent a bike to make it easier, but either way, you'll be impressed by the incredible river views and the tranquility of this suburban area. If you're trying to walk off the best brunch in Seville, this is a great option.
Jardins Torre de los Perdigones
Seville is full of excellent parks and gardens to explore, and if you've taken the circular walk through the city, you will have already encountered a couple of them. This 30 kilometer loop around the Jardins Torre de los Perdigones, taking in Parque Maria Luisa and Parque Guadaria, will show you more of the outdoor side of the city. With an elevation gain of 530 feet, this trail is best for moderate hikers due to the long distance it covers. But it will let you get plenty of exercise and see some hidden gems of Seville far from the touristed heart of the city. It's also accessible by public transit, making it a great place to visit if you want to get around Seville without using a car.
Cerro del Hierro
One of the most popular hiking trails in the Seville area, Cerro del Hiero is located in the Sierra Norte Mountains. This area has been a center of mining since before the Romans arrived in Spain, and this legacy has left the region with some dramatic and rugged scenery to explore.
However, you don't need to be an experienced hiker to get the best out of this legendary hiking area. The Cerro del Hiero Hiking Route begins in the town of San Nicolás del Puerto and covers less than 3 km or 1.6 miles of relatively easy terrain, making this suitable for just about everyone. But for such an easy hike, it has an impressive variety of different types of terrain that will let you see what makes the Sierra Norte so special.
Cerro del Hierro Natural Monument
Located in the same area as the Cerro del Hierro route, the hike to Natural Monument begins in the old mining town and travels along the deactivated rail line used to serve this important area. This hiking route will also take you through some old mine tunnels, letting you get up close and personal with what made this area famous. Finally, it will bring you to the impressive Hueznar waterfalls, an area known for its natural beauty that will make you feel like you're much further from the city than you really are.
The whole route covers around six miles, and the terrain is a lot easier than it sounds, making this a great hike for intermediate or even beginner hikers to explore. This fascinating area has a lot to recommend it, so this is one hiking route near Seville that you definitely shouldn't miss.
Mulva Ruins
Seville is certainly a historic city, and history buffs won't want to miss this next adventure. From the mining village of Villanueva del Río, a 4.5-mile trail leads through the mountain terrain to the stunning Roman and prehistoric ruins of Mulva. As well as the ruined city itself, you'll also be able to see across the mountains of Andalucia, making this the perfect walk for nature lovers as well as anyone with an interest in history. And despite the mountain terrain nearby, the trail itself is rated easy, making this an excellent destination for just about anyone to get incredible photos and see the wilder side of Spain.
Ruta del Agua
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Morena, this 6-mile route begins at Gergal station. Although there's a bit of a climb at the start, the ground soon levels out, making this a good option for beginner hikers. Along the way, you'll get to visit the Serrano lakes and wander through some wonderful patches of woodland and forest. When you see the lakes and streams that keep this part of the world so fresh and fertile, you'll understand why it's known as the Water Route.
Batrocal
Located on the border between Seville and Extremadura, Batrocal offers more of a challenge but rewards advanced hikers with incredible views and historic landmarks. The 7-mile trail begins from El Real de la Jara and leads to the stunning fortress of Castillo de las Torres, dating back to the 15th or 16th century. The trail then brings you back to your starting point in El Real. The distance isn't great, but the trail can be a little technical in places, involving many stream crossings, so it's best left to more advanced hikers. But if you have the stamina and the fitness to take it on, this is a great trail to discover in the south of Spain.
Donana National Park
One of the most important wetlands in Spain, Donana National Park lies around an hour outside Seville and is one of the best places in the country to see migrating birds. The park contains an extraordinary range of different habitats, from saltwater marshes to pine groves to white sand beaches on the southern coast of Spain.
The park itself contains lots of different trails, many of them on the shorter side. The Laguna del Jaral is a 3.4 mile trail of moderate difficulty that will take you over sand dunes and along deserted beaches, while the Cuesta Maneli is a short boardwalk trail of less than a mile that helps you discover some of the local wildlife. Another short boardwalk leads through the Laguna de Ribetehilos, while El Arrayan is the trail to hike if you prefer forest scenery. There are also three long-distance trails, including a 20-mile route to visit some of Spain's last untouched beaches.
Rock of Algamitas
Rising more than 3600 feet above the surrounding countryside, the Rock of Algamitas is a prominent local landmark set in a beautiful wilderness area outside Seville. The peak itself is accessible only to experienced mountain climbers, but a short yet demanding trail will bring you plenty close enough to the top of the Rock. A two-mile trail will take you through dense forest and even rainforest on your way to a pre-summit which is barely any less lofty than the peak itself. From here, you'll have incredible views over much of southern Spain, and you'll be able to get incredible photos from the site. While the route is relatively short, the elevation makes it demanding, so this is best left to intermediate or advanced hikers.
Camino de Santiago
The Camino de Santiago de Compostela is one of the most famous long-distance hiking trails in the world. This ancient pilgrimage route stretches across much of Europe, and runs through Seville on its way to Santiago. Along the way, this section of the Camino passes through some of the most interesting scenery in Spain, and you'll encounter villages and other locations on this route that most of the country's millions of tourists never get to see.
This trail is not for the faint of heart, though. It's more than 600 miles on foot from Seville to Santiago, so it will take many days to make the journey. Along the way, you'll encounter demanding terrain including mountains and plains with very little shade, which is why most travelers on the Camino choose to make the journey in spring or fall, not the height of summer. Still, if you're up to it, you'll be rewarded with a true bucket-list activity that you'll never forget having accomplished.
Easy Hikes in Seville
Though surrounded by mountains, Seville is blessed with plenty of places where you can stretch your legs without going too crazy. The circular route from the Cathedral through the city center of Seville itself is well worth doing to see many of Seville's most popular attractions and get some exercise while you explore the city. And if you're willing to travel a little further afield, the ruins of Mulva should not be missed by anyone with an interest in history. Both these trails have plenty of historical interest yet are easy enough to be suitable for just about anyone.
Intermediate Hikes in Seville
Heading a little further out of the city enables you to test yourself on some more demanding hiking trails. Alamillo Park doesn't have the toughest terrain, but the long distance of the path around the park makes it something of a challenge. And Cerro de Hierro Natural Monument is one of the most interesting trails in the whole of Andalucia, with enough tricky sections to provide a challenge without being insurmountable.
Difficult Hikes in Seville
While relatively short, the trail at Batrocal offers tricky elevations and rough paths with views to match. The Rock of Algamitas is also a great way to experience the mountains of Spain and test yourself on a demanding trail. And if you really can't get enough miles under your feet, the Camino de Santiago is an incredible challenge you're unlikely to ever forget.