Family walks on rails – Greenways of the Costa Blanca
Family walks on rails – Greenways of the Costa Blanca
Exploring the Greenways of the Costa Blanca is a unique way to discover the hidden beauty of this region. Whether walking, cycling or simply enjoying the tranquility, these paths offer an unforgettable experience for families and outdoor lovers.
Get going and discover new corners of the Costa Blanca on rails with a fantastic mix of history and nature! The Greenways are old railway lines converted into natural paths accessible to all. If you are looking for a different way to explore Alicante and the Costa Blanca, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and in direct contact with nature, these routes are for you.
What are the Greenways? 🚶♂️🚴🌿
The Greenways are old railway paths that have been rehabilitated for tourist and sports use. They are safe trails, without motorized traffic, ideal for hikers, cyclists and even people with reduced mobility. On the Costa Blanca, these routes offer spectacular landscapes that combine sea, mountains and valleys full of native vegetation, within the Network of Natural Trails of Spain.
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4 Greenways on the Costa Blanca and an additional NatureTrail
1. Denia Greenway: A trail between between Orange and Almond Trees 🚶♂️🚴🌿
This 6.5 km route follows the old railway line that linked Denia with Carcaixent. It is a practically flat and accessible path to El Verger. Along the route, orange and almond groves fill the air with their fragrance, while the imposing Montgó and the Sierra de Segaría rise as a backdrop. Now, instead of trains, it is used by walkers, cyclists and those who simply want to disconnect from the daily noise. The natural path has rest areas and viewing points.
🌿History of the Denia-Carcaixent Railway
There was a time when the aroma of citrus filled the stations and the whistle of the train broke the calm of the Valencian countryside. The railway that linked Denia with Carcaixent, affectionately known as the “Vieta”, was much more than a simple railway line: it was the artery that carried the wealth of the land to the ports and the world.
It sterted in 1864 as a humble animal-drawn tram between Carcaixent and Gandia, but its ambition took it further. In 1884, steam took over, and the train reached Denia, boosting the trade of the region. For more than a century, the Vieta witnessed the efforts of farmers, the coming and going of day labourers and the aroma of freshly picked oranges.
This train not only transported goods, but also stories, dreams and memories of generations. Its silhouette meandered through orange groves, leaving behind an indelible legacy. But times changed, and in 1974, the roar of truck engines and the advance of roads put an end to its journey.
Today, its spirit lives on in the Denia Greenway, where hikers and cyclists travel the same paths that the Vieta once traveled on. Each step along this route is a tribute to that railway that, with its unmistakable clatter, wrote one of the most endearing pages in the history of La Safor.
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2. Maigmó Greenway: Between Viaducts and Dream Landscapes 🚶♂️🚴🌿
The Maigmó Greenway Nature Trail is a route of approximately 22 kilometres that takes advantage of the old railway line planned to connect Alcoy with Alicante. Although the line was never completed due to the Spanish Civil War, the current route offers a unique experience for hikers and cyclists.
The route begins at the Agost station and ascends to the Maigmó pass, overcoming a gradient of almost 400 metres. Along the way, you will pass through six unlit tunnels and two viaducts, with the Forn del Vidre viaduct standing out. The landscape varies from fields of crops and palm groves to areas of badlands and mountain slopes, offering panoramic views of the Sierra del Maigmó and Sierra del Cid.
It is important to bring a flashlight for the tunnels and enough water, as there are no supply points along the way. The route is well signposted and suitable for all levels, but caution is recommended in the tunnels due to the lack of lighting.
🌿 History of the Maigmó Greenway
The Maigmó Greenway is much more than a path; it is the trace of a railway dream that never saw a single train pass by. At the beginning of the 20th century, a line was imagined that would link Alcoy with the port of Alicante, taking its thriving industry to the sea. The idea was ambitious and promising, and in 1928 work began with enthusiasm.
But fate had other plans. By 1932, the 66-kilometre route was almost ready to receive the tracks and stations that would give life to the project. However, the Spanish Civil War halted progress, leaving the route like a sleeping giant between mountains and ravines. With the post-war period, times changed and a World Bank report sentenced its fate: profitability did not justify its completion. In 1988, the railway dream was finally extinguished.
However, what could have been a scar on the landscape was transformed into a gift for nature lovers. In 2000, the Alicante Provincial Council decided to give a new lease of life to this abandoned route, and in 2003 the Maigmó Greenway was opened, a spectacular route for hikers and cyclists who can now cross tunnels and viaducts that once awaited the passage of the train.
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3. Serpis River Greenway: A route of great beauty between mountains🚶♂️🚴🌿
Walking the Serpis River Greenway is a unique experience because it combines history and nature, following the old railway line between mountains. The path is accessible to hikers and cyclists of all levels, with tunnels, bridges and spectacular views of the river.
The Serpis River Greenway runs for approximately 40km between Alcoy and Gandía. However, the most popular and accessible section for hikers and cyclists is the one that goes from Villalonga to L’Orxa, about 14km one way, passing through the impressive Racó del Duc Gorge. This section follows the course of the Serpis River, crossing tunnels, bridges and old light factories, in a spectacular natural setting.
In addition, it is a perfect way to disconnect, breathe fresh air and discover unforgettable landscapes of the inland Costa Blanca.
🌿 History of Serpis River Greenway
The Serpis River Greenway follows the old route of the Alcoy-Gandía railway, which operated from 1893 to 1969, facilitating the transport of goods, especially coal and paper, between the industrial hinterland and the coast. After its closure, the line fell into disuse until it was recovered as a greenway, today allowing hikers and cyclists to follow its historic path through tunnels and bridges.
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4. The Torrevieja Greenway: The Salt Route🚶♂️🚴🌿
If you fancy a quiet walk, with no hills and spectacular views, the Torrevieja Greenway, also known as the Salt Route, is the perfect option. Just over 6 kilometres long, this path runs along the old salt train line, which once transported Torrevieja’s famous salt.
Now, instead of trains, the path is full of people enjoying the outdoors: cyclists, walkers and even families with strollers. The best thing? On one side you have the city and on the other, the impressive salt lagoons, which change colour depending on the sunlight and which at certain times of the year are tinted pink.
Also, if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to see flamingos and other birds taking a dip in the lagoons. And when the sun is shining, there’s nothing better than stopping at one of the rest areas to cool off and have a good chat.
🌿 History of the Torrevieja Greenway
There was a time when the sound of locomotives and the clatter of wagons accompanied the skyline of Torrevieja. In 1884, the railway connecting Albatera to the coast was opened, a line built with a clear purpose: to carry salt from the famous Torrevieja salt flats to distant destinations.
For more than a century, this train was the lifeblood of the salt trade, travelling through unique landscapes between the pink lagoon and the Mediterranean. Entire generations saw these convoys depart loaded with salt, a white gold that travelled beyond our lands. However, times changed, and in 1986 the railway line fell silent. In the 1990s, the rails were dismantled, leaving behind a path full of memories.
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… and the La Safor Greenway (Vía Verde de La Safor) 🚶♂️🚴🌿
This natural path is close to the Costa Blanca. The La Safor Greenway (Vía Verde La Safor) is a 7-kilometre path that connects Gandía and Oliva, following in the footsteps of an old train that was once the first narrow-gauge train on the peninsula. Construction began in 1864. Now, instead of locomotives, it is used by walkers, cyclists and those looking to relax for a while.
The route is flat, without slopes or complications, perfect for a relaxed walk or a bike ride. On both sides of the path, orange and mandarin fields fill the air with their fresh aroma, and if you go at the right time, the landscape is picture-perfect.
For those who want to stop for a while, there are benches and rest areas, ideal for taking out a snack and enjoying the moment. And if you like nature, near Oliva you can take a trip to the Marjal de Pego-Oliva Natural Park.
🌿 History of the Safor Green Route
Imagine a train that has been crossing the landscapes of the Safor region since 1864, transporting dreams, goods and passengers along a route that linked Carcaixent with Denia. This is how one of the oldest narrow-gauge railways on the peninsula was born, which in its early days moved forward with the effort of horses and mules. A symbol of progress and connection for the region, which allowed its orange and mandarin groves to reach other corners of the world.
For decades, this train was the heartbeat of the region, linking towns and their people. However, with the arrival of new forms of transport, the clatter of the wagons gradually died down, until finally the line stopped working. Although the locomotives fell silent and the rails disappeared, its legacy lives on.
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Tips to make the most of the greenways 🚶♂️🚴🌿
- Choose the best time of year: Spring and autumn are ideal for avoiding the high temperatures of summer.
- Bring water and sun protection: Some routes do not have water fountains, so it is essential to be well prepared.
- Respect nature: These routes are part of the natural heritage of the Costa Blanca, so keep the surroundings clean.
Exploring the Greenways – Nature Trails of the Costa Blanca is a unique way to discover the hidden beauty of this region. Whether walking, cycling or simply enjoying the tranquility, these paths offer an unforgettable experience for outdoor lovers.
Discover new corners of the Costa Blanca on the rails of history and nature!