Olvera - Zaframagón - Coripe, Via Verde de la Sierra (Cadiz)

21 09 2021

Olvera – Zaframagon – Coripe
(Via Verde de la Sierra)

Decided to do something a little bit different today and take on part of the Via Verde (Sierra’s Greenway) on bicycle.
The route was a return trip from Estacion de Olvera to Estacion de Coripe.
A route that has won many tourist awards.

La Via Verde de la Sierra used to be an old railway line that was abandoned, and was converted into a walking/cycling route.

We stayed in the Hotel Estacion Via Verde, which used to be the old railway station and was converted into a small rural hotel.
The route is right outside the hotel. Next door there is a bicycle hire shop, and next to that the Olvera Information Centre. (Only open on certain days).
We got a 15% discount on the bikes because we stayed in the hotel (47 euros per night).

The Via Verde is downhill virtually all of the way, so I would highly recommend getting a battery powered bike as the return trip is 22Km long with an elevation of about 200m uphill.
The route passes through 20 tunnels all with lovely names and information about each tunnel. There are some farms around and the panoramic views are some of the best in Andalucía.

You will come across a handful of cyclists and walkers but you will be immersed in very beautiful and tranquil surroundings.

The first abandoned railway station you come to is Estacion de Navalagrulla, about 7.5Km away.
The next important stop is the National Reserve of the Penon de Zaframagon. There is a small bar here, only open at the weekends. (you can use the toilets in the information centre.
From the Penon (Crag) you will see the aerial display of the Griffon Vultures and Eagles.
The station of Zaframagon to the Station of Coripe is about another 5 ½ Km. Here there is a bar and a picnic area, and kid’s playground.
It is a great route to walk or cycle. From here you can do an additional 14Km and get to the start of the Via Verde – Puerto de Serrano.

A little bit of extra information on the side.

We checked the weather and unfortunately we misjudged it. What started as a sensational sunny day turned within minutes to torrential rain, thunderstorms and hailstones.
Several tunnels were starting to flood up to knee height. We had to push the bikes due to the mud, which in places was like quicksand.
Some of the top of the tunnels were cascading water and rocks. For over an hour we got absolutely drenched.
We waited in some of the tunnels but the wind and ‘rivers’ made us decide to get back to the hotel as soon as possible. We handed the bikes back very dirty and muddy apologising to Jose. The hot bath afterwards was amazing.
Apart from this hiccup, the Via Verde was amazing. Due to the damage we saw, I think it will take a few weeks before it gets back to its glory, which it so rightly deserves. We will definitely come back and finish the remainder of the route.