Overview
An eight-day self-guided cycling trip in Seville and Sierra de Aracena, which is part of the larger Sierra Morena range in Andalucía. Its glories are also protected by Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park status, where cyclists can relish remote trails through ancient Andalucía. This tour starts in the capital of Andalucía, and cycling in Seville, by e-bike and on bespoke cycle paths, gives you a chance to soak up its multicultural heritage. For your last four days in Alájar, which is in the heart of the Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park, there are many cycling trails to explore. On this tour you stay in just two accommodations: a locally-owned hotel in Seville, and a traditional cottage in Alájar.
- Seville
- Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park
- Alájar
- Aracena
- Galaroza
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Seville
Arrive in Seville, the capital of Andalucía. Check-in in at your city centre hotel and if time permits, visit some of the many famous landmarks such as Plaza América, María Luisa Park or have a stroll along the banks of the Guadalquivir River.
- Accommodation: Hotel Adriano or similar in Seville
Day 2: Cycling around Seville by e-bike | 14km
Collect your e-bike from our partner’s shop, where you are provided with a map of the city. Head to Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza and pedal on cycle paths around the city, stopping at famous landmarks such as Torre del Oro, Parque Maria Luisa, Plaza de España, Real Alcázar de Sevilla and La Giralda, on a 14km circular route.
- Accommodation: Hotel Adriano or similar in Seville
- Cycling for the day:14km, ↑42m ↓42m
- Meals: breakfast
Day 3: Seville – Alájar
Take the daily public bus to Alájar (payable locally), located in the heart of Sierra de Aracena and Picos de Aroche Natural Park. Your accommodation for the next four nights is located outside the village in a beautiful rural area. Depending upon the time of your arrival, there is an option to take a short circular walk around Alájar. In the evening, there is a welcome three-course dinner, with a bottle of wine.
Please note that on Saturdays and Sundays, the bus from Seville only goes as far as Aracena. From Aracena you can book a transfer with us to take you to Alájar.
- Accommodation: Molino Río Alájar traditional stone cottage or similar in Alájar
- Meals: breakfast and dinner
Day 4: Circular route to Almonaster la Real | 46km
Collect the bike from your accommodation and start cycling towards the villages of Santa Ana La Real and Los Romeros. Continuing on secondary roads, pass Canaleja and, shortly after, head west on a winding road up to Cortegana, where you can visit its 13th-century castle. The route then takes you to Almonaster la Real, home to the oldest mosque in Spain. Cycle back to Santa Ana La Real and follow the way back to Alájar.
- Accommodation: Molino Río Alájar traditional stone cottage or similar in Alájar
- Meals: breakfast
- Cycling for the day: 46km, ↑848m ↓847m
Day 5: Circular route to Aracena | 41km
Start by following the route towards Mirador de Linares de la Sierra viewpoint. Continue on to Linares de la Sierra, where there is a hammam or traditional baths. You should let the accommodation in Alájar know if you’d to make a reservation in advance. From Linares de la Sierra, continue towards Aracena, the natural park’s main town. For lovers of jamón ibérico, we recommend visiting the Jamón Museum to learn all about the production of this Spanish delicacy. The Gruta de las Maravillas (Grotto of Wonders), a cave system of over 2km, is also a must. Head to Los Marines and continue to Mirador de Alájar viewpoint, then descend back to your accommodation in Alájar.
- Accommodation: Molino Río Alájar traditional stone cottage or similar in Alájar
- Meals: breakfast
- Cycling for the day: 41km ↑941m ↓936m
Day 6: Circular route to Galaroza | 28.6km
Cycle to Casas de Arriba before continuing to Castaño del Robledo. Follow the Múrtiga River as far as the village of Galaroza, with traditional whitewashed houses and cobbled streets. Along the way, cycle past woodlands of elms, poplars, alders, cork oaks and chestnuts. Then cycle towards Jabugo and finally back to Alájar.
- Accommodation: Molino Río Alájar traditional stone cottage or similar in Alájar
- Meals: breakfast
- Cycling for the day: 28.6km ↑838m ↓837m
Day 7: Alájar – Seville
Take the public bus to Seville (payable locally). Make the most of your time back in Seville to visit any of the highlights in the city that you didn’t get a chance to visit on the first two days.
Please note that on Saturdays and Sundays, the bus to Seville only departs from Aracena. From Alájar you can book a transfer with us to take you to Aracena.
- Accommodation: Hotel Adriano or similar in Seville
- Meals: breakfast
Day 8: Departure
Departure after breakfast or extra nights available on request.
- Meals: breakfast
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour is in just two places, a locally-owned hotel and a traditional stone cottage. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. Private cottages have a fully-equipped kitchen and living room.
Click to view our default hotels for this trip
- Hotel Adriano (Seville)
- Molino Río Alájar (Alájar)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
All breakfasts and one dinner are included in the trip. Dinner is available either from the restaurant in your accommodation or from restaurants in the town where you stay overnight. Although Alájar has six restaurants, dinner is only possible on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Alternatively, the local bars offer cold tapas during the week.
Difficulty and terrain
We rate the difficulty level as moderate to strenuous with daily distances between 28 and 46km and ascents of up to 900m, through secondary roads with limited traffic and paths (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you only to follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available all year roundexcept for July and August. The best time to visit the region is in April, May, and October, when the weather is warm and pleasant, with average temperatures between 20C and 26C. Please note that there will be a surcharge applied for bookings that fall during holiday periods, such as Feria de Abril or Easter.
The flexibility of self-guided walking holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season. For more information, see our blog on the Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options and route planner
Our recommended airport for this tour is Seville Airport (SVQ).
Arrive in Seville:
- If you are able to travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail with a train station in Seville. For more details, see the national rail operator Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
- From Seville Airport, there is a regular bus service to Plaza de Armas station (55mins). For more information and tickets, visit Tussam or use the Omio planner above.
Departure from Seville:
- There is a regular bus service from Plaza de Armas station to Seville Airport. For more information and tickets, visit Tussam or use the Omio planner above.
- From Seville, there are several train services to other destinations in Spain. For more details and tickets, visit Renfe or use the Omio planner above. Additionally, there are several bus services to other destinations in Spain. For more information and tickets, visit Alsa or use the Omio planner above.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights accommodation in en-suite rooms
- 7 breakfast
- 3-course dinner and a bottle of wine on day three
- E-bike rental in Seville on day two
- Documentation including roadbook, maps and GPX tracks
- 24/7 Phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connection land transfers
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Drinks and other meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Transport from Seville to Alájar and back
- Mountain bike and e-mountain bike rental in Alájar
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own.
- We regret this trip is not available to solo travellers
- Extra nights available on request
- Mountain bike and e-mountain bike rental in Alájar
- Dinner at Molino Río Alájar on days four to six (must be preordered and to be paid for locally)
- Transfers to/from Seville
Complimentary e-bike rental in Seville
We offer complimentary e-bikes. All bikes come with a helmet and a lock. Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models might differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
Bike rental in Alájar
Both mountain bikes and e-mountain bikes are available to rent on this tour. All bicycles are equipped with a helmet, a lock, repair kit, water bottle and phone case. Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models might differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
