27 Oct Six of the Best Cycling Routes in Spain: Greenways to Walk and Cycle
Updated October 2026
Spain is a paradise for hikers and cyclists. From pine-scented forests and rugged mountains to hills carpeted with olive groves and vineyards, its landscapes invite you to slow down and explore. Beyond the historic cities and varied coastline lies a quieter side of the country, best discovered on foot or by bike.
Some of the best cycling routes in Spain follow the country’s Vías Verdes, or Greenways. Created largely from disused and unfinished railway lines, these traffic-free trails lead walkers and cyclists through landscapes often missed when travelling by road. Gentle gradients, restored stations and impressive feats of railway engineering make them a fascinating way to combine nature, culture and history.
What Are Spain’s Vías Verdes?
Spain’s Vías Verdes, or Greenways, began in 1993, turning former railway lines into peaceful routes for walking and cycling. Today, more than 3,600 kilometres of former track cross the country over 143 itineraries, with old stations, tunnels, bridges and viaducts offering traffic-free journeys through some of Spain’s most beautiful landscapes.
Built for trains rather than cars, the routes were designed to avoid steep gradients. That makes Greenways wonderfully relaxed places to explore, well suited for leisurely bike rides, family outings and anyone looking for gentler walking trails in Spain. As ever, surfaces and conditions vary, so it’s worth checking the details of your chosen route before setting out.
Some are easily enjoyed in an afternoon, while others invite you to spend several days travelling through vineyards, olive groves, river valleys and rural towns. Whichever you choose, Spain’s Greenways offer a different and more sustainable way to discover the country – at your own pace and often far from the obvious tourist trails.
Six Scenic Greenways: Cycling and Walking Trails in Spain
From the white villages of Andalucía to the volcanic scenery of Catalonia and the picturesque countryside of Mallorca, here are six of our favourite Greenways for walking and cycling in Spain.
1. Vía Verde de la Sierra, Andalucía
Stretching for 36.5 kilometres between Puerto Serrano and Olvera, the Vía Verde de la Sierra follows the foothills of the mountains on the border between Cádiz and Seville provinces. The railway was intended to connect Jerez de la Frontera with Almargen but was never completed, and no trains ever travelled along its route.
Its ambitious engineering is one of the Greenway’s main attractions. The trail passes through 30 tunnels and over four viaducts, weaving between limestone peaks, river valleys, olive groves and traditional villages. Five former stations also survive along the way, several now home to small hotel-restaurants and visitor facilities for walkers and cyclists.
Look out for the Peñón de Zaframagón, a dramatic rocky outcrop and one of Europe’s most important griffin-vulture reserves, its former railway station now housing a nature centre. For travellers researching hiking trails in Andalucía, Spain, this Greenway provides an approachable alternative to the region’s more demanding mountain walks.
2. Vía Verde de la Sierra Morena de Sevilla, Andalucía
Also known as Via Verde de la Sierra Norte, this 18.27-kilometre route starts at Cazalla-Constantina railway station and follows a former mining railway through the Sierra Morena de Sevilla Natural Park. It climbs gradually towards San Nicolás del Puerto and the extraordinary limestone landscape of Cerro del Hierro.
Along the way, the trail passes through woodland and meadows, following stretches of the Huéznar River. Wildflowers bring colour in spring, while cork oaks, holm oaks, poplars and ash trees provide welcome shade. It also passes close to the Cascadas del Huéznar, a series of small waterfalls and pools set amid lush riverside vegetation.
The route ends at Cerro del Hierro, where mining and natural erosion have created a maze of weathered limestone formations, gullies and rocky towers. Remains of the former mining operation add another layer of interest to this peaceful corner of northern Seville.
3. Vía Verde del Aceite, Andalucía
At 127.38 kilometres, the Vía Verde del Aceite is the longest Greenway in Andalucía. It runs from Jaén to Campo Real, close to Puente Genil, passing through the olive-growing landscapes of Jaén and Córdoba.
The former railway once transported olive oil and other agricultural produce, giving the Greenway its evocative name. Today, the route winds through a seemingly endless patchwork of olive groves, with distant mountain views and a succession of historic small towns and villages along the way.
Thirteen metal viaducts, four tunnels and twelve former stations recall the route’s railway heritage. Highlights include the whitewashed village of Zuheros, overlooked by a clifftop castle, and the limestone landscapes of the Sierras Subbéticas. Martos, Luque, Doña Mencía, Cabra and Lucena also make rewarding stopping points.
Its length makes this one of the best cycling routes in Spain for a multi-day journey, although shorter sections can easily be incorporated into a wider tour of Andalucía.
4. Vía Verde del Carrilet, Catalonia
The Vía Verde del Carrilet is made up of two connected routes that link the volcanic landscapes around Olot with Girona and the Mediterranean coast.
The first section covers 57.45 kilometres between Olot and Girona. Following the route of a narrow-gauge railway that operated until the 1960s, it passes through the Garrotxa volcanic region before continuing into fertile valleys and wooded countryside. Towns such as Sant Feliu de Pallerols and Amer make natural stopping points along the way.
From Girona, the second trail continues for 39.33 kilometres to Sant Feliu de Guíxols on the Costa Brava. The scenery takes on a distinctly Mediterranean character as the route approaches the sea, passing through woodland, farmland and small towns.
Together, the two sections create an almost 97-kilometre journey from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the coast. Travellers can complete the full route over several days or choose one section and combine it with time exploring Girona or the beaches and fishing towns of the Costa Brava.
5. Vía Verde del Cidacos, La Rioja
Running for 33.71 kilometres between Calahorra and Arnedillo, the Vía Verde del Cidacos follows the route of a former narrow-gauge railway through the fertile Cidacos Valley.
Beginning near Calahorra, the trail travels through orchards, vineyards and striking ochre-coloured landscapes. Along the way, it passes towns including Autol, Quel, Arnedo and Herce before reaching the spa village of Arnedillo, known for its thermal waters.
The wider Cidacos Valley is also famous for its dinosaur footprints. Some of the most important sites are found further south around Enciso and Munilla, where thousands of fossilised tracks have been recorded. They’re not directly on the Greenway, but make an excellent extension for families or anyone interested in the region’s prehistoric past.
With an asphalt surface and a gentle overall gradient, the Vía Verde del Cidacos is well suited to a leisurely cycle ride. It also offers a very different perspective on La Rioja, beyond the vineyards and bodegas for which the region is best known.
6. Vía Verde Manacor-Artà, Mallorca
Mallorca may be famous for its coastal roads and challenging mountain climbs, but the island also offers more leisurely cycling experiences. The Vía Verde Manacor-Artà crosses 28.88 kilometres of peaceful countryside in eastern Mallorca, following the former railway between its two namesake towns.
The Balearic Islands’ only Greenaway, this compacted-earth trail passes Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Son Carrió and Son Servera, travelling through farmland, orchards and landscapes dotted with traditional dry-stone walls. One bridge, three tunnels and several restored station buildings provide reminders of its railway history.
The route finishes beneath Artà’s attractive old town, a maze of narrow streets crowned by the hilltop sanctuary of Sant Salvador. Nearby coastal resorts and beaches, including Cala Millor, Sa Coma and Cala Bona, can also be added to a longer exploration of eastern Mallorca.
Mostly level and away from traffic, this Greenway is an enjoyable option for families and casual cyclists who want to experience a quieter side of the island.
Travel the Best Cycling Routes in Spain with Just Explore
Whether you’re keen to ride some of the best cycling routes in Spain or looking for walking trails with fewer steep gradients, the country’s Vías Verdes offer a wonderful way to see a quieter, more rural side of Spain.
Because route conditions and temporary closures can change, it’s always worth checking the official Vías Verdes website before setting out. Some trails are easy to enjoy independently, while longer journeys may call for bike hire, luggage transfers and carefully chosen places to stay.
At Just Explore, we can build walking and cycling into a tailor-made journey through Spain, taking care of the practical arrangements so you can focus on the experience. From a gentle countryside ride to an active family adventure or a multi-day cycling route, we’ll shape the trip around your interests, pace and preferred level of challenge.
Contact Just Explore to start planning your walking or cycling adventure in Spain.