Vía Verde de la Subbética
A 57.3 km greenway on the old Jaén–Puente Genil 'oil train' line through the Sierras Subbéticas, with four iron viaducts, a 140 m tunnel, gentle gradients and bike hire at Doña Mencía.
About Vía Verde de la Subbética
The Vía Verde de la Subbética, part of the Camino Natural Vía Verde del Aceite, follows the Jaén–Puente Genil railway, the 'Tren del Aceite' that carried the region's olive oil. It runs 57.3 km from the iron viaduct over the Guadajoz, on the Jaén border, to Navas del Selpillar near Lucena, skirting the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park and UNESCO Global Geopark.
Beyond the Guadajoz viaduct (km 0), cuttings lead past the Laguna del Salobral, with flamingos in spring, to Luque station (km 10). At km 17 the 100 m Puente de Zuheros crosses the Arroyo Bailón; Doña Mencía station is at km 20. A 140 m tunnel (km 26) opens onto the 132 m Viaducto de la Sima before the drop to Cabra station (km 33), Lucena and Moriles-Horcajo (km 53). The line climbs from 400 m to about 600 m near Zuheros, then descends to 300 m.
Access is free on asphalt and compacted earth, fine for any bike, pushchairs and wheelchairs. The Centro Cicloturista Subbética at Doña Mencía station hires bikes (2023 list: €15–18 a day, e-bikes €25, half day €10–12, helmet included) and arranges transfers. Station bars at Luque, Doña Mencía and Cabra are the water stops; shade is scarce.
Ride from March to June or October to December; in July and August set off before 09:00. Carry 2 L of water and a repair kit. The best half day is Doña Mencía to Luque and back (20 km), crossing the Zuheros viaduct twice.
Vía Verde de la Subbética in pictures
What you’ll find
- Bike hireBike rental (€15–€25)Buy
- CyclingRoad or greenway cyclingFree
- Family friendlyEasy for childrenFree
- Free accessFree visitFree
- Linear routeOne-way trailFree
- Picnic areaPicnicFree
- Step-free accessAccessible visitFree
- ViewpointScenic viewpointFree
Nearby places to visit
The Vía Verde passes right below Zuheros (3 km from Doña Mencía station), where the Cañón del Río Bailón walk starts at the foot of the castle and a winding road climbs to the Cueva de los Murciélagos de Zuheros (4 km), a show cave with Neolithic remains. The limestone walls around the village are also the setting for Zuheros Climbing (3 km). Further east the greenway reaches the hilltop village of Luque (7 km), and a short detour north leads to Baena and the Almazara Núñez de Prado (8 km), a historic olive-oil mill that explains what the old trains carried.
Vía Verde de la Subbética at a glance
Category
Sports Outdoor adventures
Town
Doña Mencía
Address
Antigua Estación de Doña Mencía, Avenida Doctor Fleming s/n (Centro Cicloturista Subbética), 14860 Doña Mencía, Córdoba, Spain
Opening hours
Open all year, day and night. In July and August ride before 10:00 or after 18:00; the bike-hire centre at Doña Mencía station keeps its own opening hours (book ahead in spring and autumn).
Prices
Free. Bike hire at the Centro Cicloturista Subbética, Doña Mencía station: about €15–18 per day for a standard bike, €25 for an e-bike, €10–12 for a half day, helmet included (2023 price list; check current rates).
Checked 5 Nov 2026 on the official website. Times and prices can change, so confirm before you go.
Website
centrocicloturistasubbetica.com
Phone
+34 691 843 532
More places nearby
Other places within 25 km of Vía Verde de la Subbética, nearest first.
