Vía Verde de la Sierra
A 36 km traffic-free greenway on the never-used Jerez–Almargen railway from Olvera to Puerto Serrano, with 30 tunnels, four viaducts and the vulture colony of the Peñón de Zaframagón.
About Vía Verde de la Sierra
The Vía Verde de la Sierra runs 36 km from Olvera to Puerto Serrano, crossing briefly into Seville province at Coripe. It reuses the trackbed of the Jerez–Almargen railway, begun in 1926 and abandoned before it opened, and was voted Europe's best greenway in 2005 and 2009. It passes 30 tunnels, four viaducts, olive groves and the Peñón de Zaframagón reserve, with one of Andalucía's largest griffon vulture colonies.
Most people start at the old Olvera station, now a hotel and restaurant, and head west on a gentle, mostly downhill gradient. Midway, the 135 m Zaframagón viaduct passes below the crag, where the old station has a bird observatory. Near Coripe are the 990 m Túnel del Castillo, the 237 m La Perdiz viaduct and the ancient holm oak called the Chaparro de la Vega. The track ends at Puerto Serrano station.
Free and open all year to walkers, cyclists and riders; no motor vehicles. Bikes, tandems and adapted cycles can be hired at Olvera and Coripe (adult bike from about €12 a day in 2026; call 687 676 462). Olvera, Coripe and Puerto Serrano stations have restaurants. Many tunnels are lit, but carry a light. Shade is scarce and there is no train back, so ride out and return or book a taxi.
Best from October to May; in summer start before 09:00. Bring 2–3 litres of water and binoculars. Tip: the return to Olvera is a long gentle climb, so turn round at Zaframagón if short of time.
Vía Verde de la Sierra in pictures
What you’ll find
- Bike hireBike rental (€12)Buy
- Car parkParkingFree
- CyclingRoad or greenway cyclingFree
- Dogs allowedDogs on leadFree
- Family friendlyEasy for childrenFree
- Free accessFree visitFree
- HikingWalking routeFree
- Linear routeOne-way trailFree
- ViewpointScenic viewpointFree
Nearby places to visit
The greenway starts below the white town of Olvera (2 km), crowned by the Castillo de Olvera (1 km), a Nasrid-era fortress with views along the route. The vulture crag of the Peñón de Zaframagón (12 km) is the highlight of the ride itself, and the station there has an observatory. Setenil de las Bodegas (Setenil de las Bodegas, 11 km) has houses built under rock overhangs, and the hill village of El Gastor (12 km) overlooks the Zahara reservoir. Further south, Zahara de la Sierra (17 km) is the gateway to the Grazalema hikes.
Vía Verde de la Sierra at a glance
Category
Sports Outdoor adventures
Location
Sierra de Cádiz, Cádiz
Town
Olvera
Address
Old Olvera railway station, start of the Vía Verde de la Sierra, 11690 Olvera, Cádiz, Spain
Opening hours
Open all year, day and night; motor vehicles prohibited. In July and August start before 09:00. Bike hire at Olvera and Coripe roughly 10:00–18:00 in winter and 10:00–19:00 in summer.
Prices
Free. Bike hire at Olvera and Coripe stations from about €12 per day for an adult bike (2026 listing); tandems and adapted cycles also available.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Vía Verde de la Sierra, nearest first.
