{"id":43470,"date":"2021-10-21T12:01:53","date_gmt":"2021-10-21T10:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/?p=43470"},"modified":"2021-10-21T12:01:53","modified_gmt":"2021-10-21T10:01:53","slug":"vias-verdes-green-ways-spain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecobnb.com\/blog\/2021\/10\/vias-verdes-green-ways-spain\/","title":{"rendered":"V\u00edas Verdes: Walking or Cycling along the Green Ways of Spain"},"content":{"rendered":"

Do you know the ‘V\u00edas Verdes’? The green ways of Spain are old disused railway lines that have been recovered for walkers and cyclists.<\/h2>\n

These amazing\u00a0bike routes of Spain<\/strong><\/a> follow the traces of old train tracks<\/strong>.\u00a0There was a time when some trains stopped working and were forgotten. But today those tracks occupied by locomotives have turned into routes for pedestrians and bicycles<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0Their name is Green Ways, or \u201cV\u00edas Verdes\u201d<\/em> in Spanish, and they cover 2.900 kilometers<\/strong> throughout Spain, inland, and on the coast. They are a part of over 7.600 kilometers of out-of-service railway lines<\/strong> that nowadays are bicycle circuits, distributed nationwide.<\/p>\n

An Eco-Sustainable Quality Mark<\/h2>\n
\"Green
Photo by Jean-Baptiste Noel on Pixabay<\/div><\/div>\n

\u201cV\u00edas Verdes\u201d<\/em> is a registered quality trademark<\/strong>, which is protected by the \u201cFundaci\u00f3n de los Ferrocarriles Espa\u00f1oles\u201d<\/em> (Fundation of Spanis Railways).\u00a0It’s a project started in 1993<\/strong> and it has been constantly expanding. It represents a precious heritage, which has changed for the benefit of sustainability and the environment.<\/p>\n

There are 129 green ways<\/strong> that cross Spain and that allow ecotourism experiences, enjoying the environmentally friendly way of discovering the landscape and culture of Spain.<\/p>\n

You will find flat, uniform, and easy tracks<\/strong>, with wide curves and an altitude different always less than 3%. They are ideal for everyone<\/strong>, without limits, from the youngest to the oldest. They are also perfect for people with reduced mobility or in any other physical condition.<\/p>\n

In these green routes, only bicycles and pedestrians are allowed, while motor vehicles are excluded. Thanks to this measure, high levels of security and respect for the environment<\/strong> are guaranteed.<\/p>\n

Why Choose Green Ways<\/h2>\n
\"Bicycle,
Photo by Dorothy Castillo on Pexel.com<\/div><\/div>\n

Choosing green routes to go trekking<\/a><\/strong> and cycling<\/strong> is a comfortable and safe way to do sport<\/strong>. In addition, you will feel to be completely respecting the environment.<\/p>\n

The routes are perfectly marked and you can find also some information boards<\/strong> about the environment and local culture. Thanks to the presence of signal panels, and in some cases also of guides and guided tours, you will learn about the landscapes and the heritage of Spain in an easy and ecological<\/strong> way.<\/p>\n

And then, there are illuminated tunnels in order to make transit easier. The grounds are pleasant and the intersections with busy roads have crossings at different levels.<\/p>\n

Map of Green Ways of Spain<\/h2>\n
\"Map
Photo by cuentamealgobueno.com<\/div><\/div>\n

A Project of Economic and Ecological Revitalization<\/h2>\n
\"Spain,
Photo by Pixabay.com<\/div><\/div>\n

If you follow the tracks of a railway line, constructed at the beginning of the XIX century, but that has never reached the realization phase, you will enter in the Sierra de C\u00e1diz<\/strong>, up to the Pe\u00f1\u00f3n de Zaframag\u00f3n<\/strong>. It is a massif that hosts one of the biggest colonies of Andalusian Leonados vultures<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Or you can reach Guip\u00fazcoa<\/strong>. Where a small railway passed in the past, today a path comes out. It is flanked by beech and oak trees and lush forests of the Larraun and Leitzar\u00e1n<\/strong> valleys.<\/p>\n

All this entails the revitalization of the environment, in which places with low tourist activity are often located. The railway heritage contributes to the economic reactivation<\/strong> of municipalities. It gives a boost to local entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic recovery of rural areas<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This project advertises\u00a0sustainable and healthy tourism<\/strong>. And at the same time, it enhances natural territories<\/strong>, which do not receive the visibility and promotion that other best-known destinations have.<\/p>\n

In addition, these routes have recently received\u00a0technological support<\/strong>. Since the beginning of 2021, in fact, all the 129 paths are available on Google Maps<\/strong><\/a>. And soon they will be accessible also on Google Street View<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Useful Tips to face the Green Ways of Spain<\/h2>\n
\"Route,
Photo by jbdodane on Flickr.com<\/div><\/div>\n

There are various possibilities to move along the Green Routes. You can make a few or several kilometers, from 6 to almost 130, and face urban or country paths. It is always a good idea, before starting the journey, to inform<\/strong> about the itinerary and to equip yourself with basic equipment<\/strong>:<\/p>\n