Sierra Norte De Sevilla, Heart Of Sierra Morena
The Sierra Norte is a Spanish region located in the province of Seville, in Andalusia. It includes municipalities such as Alanís, San Nicolás del Puerto, Constantina, Guadalcanal, Las Navas de la Concepción and many more, dotted between deep and narrow valleys.
This territory is characterized by its richness and natural variety, a not very steep mountain area, with mountains that slightly exceed 1000 meters in height; the highest is La Capitana, with 1007 meters, and all its valleys with low-flow rivers pour their waters into the Guadalquivir river.
Next, we suggest you travel and explore this beautiful, but rigorous Iberian territory, which manages to go unnoticed due to the difficulty represented by communications through it.
The Sierra Norte de Sevilla
The area of this comarca is home to a number of small and picturesque towns, as well as spectacular landscapes that contrast strongly with the Guadalquivir Valley further south.
When we say that the Sierra Norte de Sevilla is a rigorous territory, we mean, for example, its climatic parameters. Here there is an indoor Mediterranean climate with very high temperatures in summer.
On the other hand, winters are cold, with approximately 85 days of frost. This fact makes the vegetation —more Iberian impossible— used to these extreme values.
However, not everything will be adversity, because spring in Andalusia is famous. It is the time of mild temperatures, colors, aromas, blooming fields …
In fact, in the mountains of the Sierra Norte there is a much more pleasant situation: the temperature is a little lower, there is almost always little wind, people go out to the streets and children enjoy playing outside until midnight.
A place full of protected spaces
Although the entire region has a remarkable natural and scenic value, here 4 enclaves with special protection stand out. These are the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park, the Almadén de la Plata Forest Park, the Huesna Waterfalls and the Cerro del Hierro. The latter is an old iron mine that today is adapted for sports such as hiking and climbing.
Sierra Norte Natural Park
This is located north of the province of Seville, in a mid-mountain region, and is part of the “Las Dehesas de la Sierra Morena” Biosphere Reserve, declared by UNESCO.
It has an important animal population, headed by mammals such as the wildcat, the otter, the wild boar, the deer, the fallow deer and the mouflon. On the other hand, the park’s avifauna is also varied and abundant; The black and griffon vulture, the black stork and the imperial and royal eagles stand out.
In terms of flora, the Sierra Norte is characterized by wide areas of pasture that alternate with forests of holm oaks and cork oaks. In shady areas, gall oak forests and other tree species such as chestnut, stone pine or elm thrive.
Also, on the banks there are gallery forests formed by ash trees, alders and willows. It is a rich and varied amalgam that represents the native fauna and flora of the Mediterranean landscape as in few places.
Almadén de la Plata Forest Park
The Almadén de la Plata Forest Park is located on the farm called Las Navas – El Berrocal, within the municipality of Almadén de la Plata. The park has an area of 7481 hectares and among its attractions is one of the main swamps of the park, called El Lanchar, enabled to practice fishing.
Inside it is located the Cortijo del Berrocal, which has a recreational area with picnic tables, wood barbecues, drinking fountains and a play area for the little ones. To get to this park, it must be accessed from Almadén de la Plata, along the C-431 road at kilometer 18, on the left side of it.
The Huesna waterfalls
The Huesna waterfalls form a natural monument measuring 16,196 square meters in a small area of the river of the same name, in the municipality of San Nicolás del Puerto, within the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park.
The natural monument, located about 2 kilometers downstream from San Nicolás del Puerto, has a series of small waterfalls and pools surrounded by abundant riverside vegetation.
Undoubtedly, these small waterfalls, called Las Chorreras, where the river runs through its course with crystal clear waters and under a spectacular gallery forest, are one of the best and welcoming oases that you can find in this rough territory.
The Huesna waterfalls can be accessed through the Sierra Norte greenway, an old railway route that has been set up for use on foot or by bicycle.
The Cerro del Hierro
Cerro del Hierro is a town, a hill and a natural monument located about 5 kilometers south of San Nicolás del Puerto along the Constantina highway and also within the Sierra Norte de Sevilla Natural Park.
It is a karst area rich in iron minerals that was exploited as a mine from before the Romans until the middle of the 20th century. Today, it is declared a natural monument for its great geological and scenic value, and it is practiced hiking and climbing.
On the other hand, the old mining town associated with the mine remains a village with few inhabitants, dependent on San Nicolás del Puerto.
Sierra Morena, hidden and infinite
It is complex to be able to cover the infinite variety and rich landscape of the Sierra Norte de Sevilla. There are still many places to explore and know, such as beautiful and cozy white villages, hidden and waiting for your visit.
With this selection, we have tried to bring you closer to unsuspected corners full of beauty; that of its towns, which is not minor, we let you discover it on your next trip.
