Outdoor adventures · Sierra Norte

Sendero Los Castañares

A 5.6 km circular walk (SL-A 143, about 2 hours) from Constantina through the chestnut groves of the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park, returning past the town's castle of Moorish origin.

About Sendero Los Castañares

Los Castañares is a waymarked loop (SL-A 143) on the edge of Constantina, the largest town in the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park. It climbs through chestnut woods planted on the hillsides for nuts and timber, among old olive groves, stone walls, orchards and the remains of lagares, the old presses for wine and oil. It is one of the easiest ways to reach Sierra Morena woodland from a town centre, and most atmospheric in autumn.

The walk starts at the end of the Paseo de la Alameda and leaves town along Calle Venero. A steady climb through chestnut wood passes the La Carlina estate and Finca Cerro Gordo to a high point of 659 m, with views to the Cerro Negrillo oak woods and the Cerro Gibarrayo (749 m). The path then descends through olives to the castle, a hilltop fortress of Islamic origin above the white houses, and back to the centre. Paths are sandy or stony, with frequent shade and about 100 m of height range.

Free, waymarked and no permit needed. There is no car park at the start, so park in town. Linesur buses (954 902 368) run from Seville, and Cazalla-Constantina station is about 10 km away (taxi needed). The castle fountain is not drinking water. Suits families with children used to walking; keep dogs on a lead near livestock.

Best from late October to early December, when the leaves turn, and in spring. Bring 1 litre of water each. Tip: walk it in late afternoon so the castle catches the evening light.

Sendero Los Castañares in pictures

Autumn chestnut grove with a sunlit path, Sendero Los Castañares, Constantina

Stone walls of the hilltop castle of Constantina at the end of the Sendero Los Castañares, Seville

What you’ll find

Circular routeLoop trailFree
Dogs allowedDogs on leadFree
Family friendlyEasy for childrenFree
Free accessFree visitFree
HikingWalking routeFree
Shuttle or busPublic transportBuy
ViewpointScenic viewpointFree

Nearby places to visit

The walk starts in the white town of Constantina (1 km), with its Mudéjar churches and sierra cooking. The Cerro del Hierro (8 km), a karst landscape carved by iron mining, has its own short trail, and the Vía Verde de la Sierra Norte (9 km) greenway climbs to it along the Huéznar. To the west, Cazalla de la Sierra (13 km) has anise distilleries and the Viñas Colonias de Galeón winery (14 km), while Playa San Nicolás del Puerto (13 km) is a river beach for summer swims.