My uncle, who lives in the south of Spain, has just sent me this article about the Vias Verdes cycle routes in Spain. It was originally posted on the website Eye on Spainย / Max Abroad: The Best of Spain and I hope they don’t mind me republishing it here as the routes do deserve as much exposure as they can get. I used a few of them when cycling in Spain last summer and they were a wonderful way to avoid the traffic on the roads. The surfaces of the paths didn’t always make for easy cycling but the spectacular views that they afforded compensated somewhat. Here is the article:
“This is such a wonderfulย initiativeย that I wanted to share it with you all as Iย have only recently discovered it…
Vรญas Verdes or literally, “Green-Ways” are old disused railway lines that have been recovered and reconditioned for use by walkers and cyclists. Exploring them is a different, enjoyable and environmentally friendly way of getting to know Spain, its culture and its landscapes.
This is an alternative ideal for all ages, which respects the environment and brings together sport and the great outdoors. Many years ago when the trains stopped rolling over these tracks once and for all, they fell into disrepair and were totally forgotten about. The old lines have now had their rails removed, and what was once the domain of wagons and locomotives is the realm of cyclists, walkers and day-trippers.
There are 1,800 kilometres of โGreen-Waysโ all over Spain. They are easy to get to, and being flat and even, provide no technical difficulties – ideal for all kinds of people: adults, children, the elderly and disabled too. It is well worth taking a trip on one of these trails where motor vehicles are forbidden. Not even mopeds are allowed on these routes, which are synonymous with safety and respect for the environment.
From north to south and east to west, there are 80 established itineraries and thousands of kilometres to be covered on fascinating routes that will take you to stunning spots and reveal a great deal about Spain’s cultural heritage. The panels and signposts along the way will keep you constantly informed about interesting artistic locations and landscapes. In some cases there are even guides and guided visits available for certain areas: you just have to choose your line. There are also many places you can hire bikes on certain routes.ย On your way you will also be able to find accommodation, guesthouses and restaurants where you can rest and replenish your energy.
There are a host of possibilities: routes barely reaching kilometres, urban trails, country tracks through to itineraries of up to 190 kilometres. All in all, an original, varied alternative for those who want to discover Spain’s rich landscapes and cultural sites in an easy, environmentally friendly way.
Here are a selection of some of the best routes around the country but to get full details of each itinerary and the different stages, sights and services along the way go to the interactive “Green -Ways” map and click on the route that interests you.”
GO TO “GREEN-WAYS” SPAIN INTERACTIVE MAP
1. Vรญa Verde de la Sierra de la Demanda / ย โจBurgos 54 Km
โจโจ2. Vรญa Verde de la Senda del Oso / ย โจAsturias 36 Kmย โจ
3. Vรญa Verde Tajuรฑa I y II โจGuadalajara /ย Madrid 21 Km andย 49 Km โจ
4. Vรญa Verde del Pas / ย โจCantabria 34 Km
โจโจ5. Vรญa Verde del Cidacos โจ/ ย La Rioja 34 Km โจโจ
6. Vรญa Verde de la Sierra / ย โจCรกdiz – Sevilla 36 Km
โจโจ7. Vรญa Verde del Valle de Turรณn โจ/ย Asturias 14 Km โจโจ
8. Vรญa Verde de la Jara โจ/ ย Toledo 52 Km โจโจ
9. Via Verde de los Alcores / ย โจSevilla 25 Km โจโจ
10. Vรญa Verde de las Vegas del Guadiana y las Villuercas โจ/ ย Cรกceres – Badajoz 56 Km โจโจ
11. Vรญa Verde Subbรฉtica โจ/ ย Cรณrdoba 56 Km โจโจ
12. Vรญa Verde del Val de Zafรกn / ย โจTeruel 33.6 Kmย โจโจ
13. Via Verde de Alcaraz โจ/ ย Albacete 74 Km โจโจ
14. Via Verde del Noroeste / ย Murcia 48 Km โจโจ
15. Vรญa Verde del Litoral / ย โจHuelva 49 Km โจโจ
16. Via Verde del Aceite /ย ย โจJaรฉn 55 Kmย โจโจ
17. Vรญa Verde del Campo de Cartagena / ย โจMurcia 51 Km โจโจ
18. Vรญa Verde del Ojailรฉn / ย โจCiudad Real 30 Km
โจโจ19. Via Verde de la Campiรฑa I y II โจCรณrdoba /ย Sevilla 28 Km y 65 Km โจโจ
20. Vรญa Verde de Ojos Negros I y II โจCastellรณn – Valencia /ย Teruel 67.7 Km andย 92 Km โจโจโจ
21. Via Verde del Serpis โจAlicante –ย Valencia 40 Km โจโจ
22. Vรญa Verde del Carrilet / ย โจGirona 108 Km โจ โจ
23. Via Verde de Maigmรณ / ย โจAlicante 22 Km โจโจ
24. Via Verde de Xurra โจ/ ย Valencia 15 Km โจโจ
25. Vรญa Verde de la Terra Alta y el Baix Ebre / โจTarragona 23 andย 26 Km.
All the text and photographs are copyright Eye on Spain / Max Abroad: The Best of Spain.
Categories: Cycling
I used the Ojos Negros trail from Teruel to Segunt outside of Valencia. Highly recommended. It’s mostly downhill for the last 70km, tarmac or a gravelled surface and goes over viaducts and through tunnels. There’s very few camping sites but plenty of hostals and the locals are cottoning on to the fact people come to cycle this trail.
Here is the official Spanish website for these greenways: http://www.viasverdes.com/en/principal.asp
It includes maps for every route and some translation into English.
Actually, I am spanish. I live in the south of Spain and I strongly recommend these “Vias Verdes”
All of them are great, but if you are interested in Andalucรญa, “la vรญa verde del aceite” is perfect to cycle around the well-known “pueblos blancos” (white villages) of Andalucรญa. MUST have Olive oil with some bread for breakfast!
Thanks for this. Noted and mentally filed for future reference.