This is the first day of the classic Seville–Osuna stage on the Washington Irving Bike Route. The ride leaves the eastern edge of Seville and crosses the open Campiña, passing Alcala de Guadaira and the historic town of Carmona before finishing in Marchena. The landscape is mostly rolling farmland — cereal fields, sunflowers and olive groves — with the low ridge of Los Alcores as the main reference point on the horizon.
The day is moderate in difficulty and can be completed comfortably by most regular cyclists. It offers a gentle introduction to the longer journey towards Granada while already showing the mix of history and open countryside that characterises the whole route.
A plaque dedicated to Washington Irving can still be seen on the wall of number 2, Callejón del Agua in Seville, the street where the writer once stayed. From the city centre the ride heads east towards the Montequinto district and the Hacienda de Quintos. Here an earth track begins to climb gently. From the first small rise the last panoramic view of Seville opens behind you.
The track crosses dry cereal land, sunflower fields and scattered olive groves, following the gentle rises and falls of the ground and fording seasonal streams. On the outskirts of Alcala de Guadaira the vegetation changes: eucalyptus trees appear alongside the more typical prickly pear and agave.
You arrive along the course of the Guadaira river. The town of Alcala de Guadaira sits on the opposite bank, spread across a low headland. Entry is across the Puente de Jesús Nazareno (also known as the Carlos III Bridge). Irving himself was struck by the scene: the river winding at the foot of the ruins, the orange and pomegranate groves, and the sound of the nightingale.
Leaving Alcala de Guadaira along Avenida Santa Lucía, the route follows the service road of the A-92 for a short distance before crossing the dual carriageway and joining the Vereda de Gandul. From this lane the remains of the old tower and the church spire of the village of Gandul come into view.
The lane then runs along the eastern side of Los Alcores, looking out over the wide Sevillian Campiña. The plain is irrigated by the tributary streams of the Corbones river and is characterised by arable fields, occasional low hills and scattered farmhouses. Irving described these open spaces as “one of those vast plains, common in Spain, where for miles and miles there is neither house nor tree.”
After passing the white buildings of Mairena del Alcor and El Viso del Alcor on the ridge, the route reaches the foot of Carmona. A short but steep climb leads up into the town via Calle Arco de la Carne. Carmona, perched at the northern end of Los Alcores, is one of the most rewarding stops of the day and deserves time to explore its Roman and Moorish heritage.
Leaving Carmona, the route descends onto the old Royal Cattle Trail (Cañada Real). What was once a broad drove road has been reduced in places to a narrow path, but the character of the landscape remains: open cereal and sunflower fields, solitary cortijos and long views. After crossing the Arroyo de Brenes near the Cortijo de las Albaidas the terrain becomes more undulating, with low hills and olive groves.
The first distant view of Marchena appears on the horizon. A short stretch of tarmac near Hacienda El Palomar is followed by a return to earth tracks. The final approach passes wheat and sunflower fields before the towers of the church of San Agustín and the silhouette of the town come clearly into view. After crossing the railway line you enter the streets of Marchena.
This first day begins on the eastern edge of Seville. Most visitors coming from the Costa del Sol travel to Seville the day before.
The most flexible way to reach Seville from Malaga Airport or the Costa del Sol. Useful if you are carrying a bicycle.
Hire a car at Malaga Airport
Direct transfer from Malaga Airport or your hotel to Seville, with vehicles that can carry bikes.
Book a transferHigh-speed trains from Malaga reach Seville in about two hours. From Santa Justa station a short taxi ride takes you to the starting area near Montequinto.
Credit cards accepted
