The Vía Verde de la Sierra, in Andalusia, reuses the route of a former railway line that never entered service, linking Puerto Serrano to Olvera in Cádiz — one of Spain’s best-known greenways, both for how easy it is to ride with kids and for its vulture colonies.
A former railway between cliffs and tunnels
From Puerto Serrano, the path follows the disused railway line for about 36 km to Olvera, crossing some thirty former railway tunnels and several viaducts above the Guadalporcún gorges. The stretch near Coripe, flanked by limestone cliffs, shelters a significant colony of Egyptian vultures and griffon vultures visible from the route.
Getting the family ride right
The route, built on an old railway grade, has no marked gradient and suits kids as soon as they can pedal on their own. The tunnels, pitch dark for several dozen metres at a time, call for bike lights to ride safely. Several rental operators offer a transfer service between Puerto Serrano and Olvera, letting you ride one way without having to retrace your steps.
When to go
October to May, as Andalusian summer heat makes the ride gruelling in high summer, especially on the sections without shade. Spring is also the best time to watch vulture activity around their nests.
Good to know
Olvera, a typical white hilltop village in the region, and Puerto Serrano offer a simple but sufficient choice of accommodation, with convenient access to Ronda, less than an hour away by road, for extending a stay in the Andalusian hinterland.
