San Isidro: Cycling Route, Local History and Hotels

San Isidro combines a cycling route along rural paths with a modernist parish church and archaeological traces. This offers travellers a range of ways to explore: a 13-kilometre cycling loop, the multi-day Senda del Poeta and local cultural and historical sites. If you are looking for a hotel in San Isidro, you can use these specific interests to help plan your trip.

Cycling through the Huerta

The circular El Hondo-San Isidro cycling route is 13 kilometres long and follows rural paths. Along the way, it passes huertas, traditional urban and rural buildings, former hemp retting ponds, natural springs and palm groves. The loop thus combines a ride through the landscape with various features of the area's architectural and agricultural history.

The terrain is flat, the route is signposted in both directions and it is suitable for most people. Check the signs and conditions before setting out.

The route starts at the railway footbridge. From there, you can explore the town, the town park, the town hall square, the church or the schools with their distinctive sculptures at your leisure, then cross part of the traditional huerta. These are optional places to explore; the route does not necessarily pass through each of them.

Church, art and local history

The parish church of San Isidro Labrador dates from 1956 and is a modernist building. It was designed by architect José Luis Fernández del Amo. Its architectural style and designer are both specified.

El Santo is a mosaic monument by Manuel Baeza depicting the patron saint, San Isidro. Next to El Santo is an agricultural artwork depicting irrigated plots supplied with water by a centralised well system. The two artworks thus evoke different themes: the patron saint and irrigated agriculture.

The Monolito Senda del Poeta was inaugurated on 16 April 2005. The Senda del Poeta Miguel Hernández hiking route also passes through San Isidro, but it is a separate, multi-day route.

Archaeological and historical traces

San Isidro was established in the mid-20th century as a colonisation settlement in the municipality of Albatera. Cabezo Pardo is home to an Argaric settlement dating approximately to the period from 1900 to 1500 BC. There is also a settlement there from the Emirate period, dating to the 8th to 9th centuries AD.

Based on archaeological materials found at Cabezo Pardo, the site has been identified as Tall al-Jattab, mentioned by the geographer al-ʿUdri. The two settlement phases and this historical identification offer different points of reference if you are interested in the area's history.

The Campo de Albatera is now within the municipality of San Isidro. A memorial to the victims of the Campo de Albatera stands near San Isidro railway station, a few metres from the railway tracks.

Hiking and local traditions

While El Hondo-San Isidro is a 13-kilometre loop, the Senda del Poeta Miguel Hernández is a three-day hiking route of about 70 kilometres from Orihuela to Alicante, passing through San Isidro. Differences in mode of transport, distance and duration help you decide which route best suits your travel plans. If you plan to take the multi-day route, check the current dates.

A recurring local tradition is the Romería, held on the first Sunday in May. Residents gather to eat and dance, and dance groups perform. Details of the programme may vary from year to year.

Getting here by train

ALBATERA-CATRAL station is in the municipality of San Isidro, 100 metres from the town centre, and connects Alicante and Murcia on the Cercanías network. Check the current timetable for your journey.

Discover more destinations: Senija, Forna, Daya Vieja, La Torre de les Maçanes, Beneixama, Alcoleja, Calpe, Benejúzar.

For the main travel overview: Alicante.