From Villena to Oliva

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This route makes use of three greenways that run peacefully through some of the quietest and least-known areas of the Region of Valencia - L'Alt Vinalopó and El Comtat. The first of these greenways runs along thedisused narrow-gauge railway between Yecla and Muro de Alcoy and is known by the locals as El Xixarra. High spots of the route include the source of the River Vinalopó in the very heart of the Parque Natural de la Serra Mariola nature park, as well as some of the most impressive castles in the Region of Valencia and the extraordinary mediaeval quarter of Bocairent.

The second greenway runs along the disused narrow-gauge line connecting Muro de Alcoy with el Grao de Gandia; popularly known as the train dels anglesos or "English Train". It was used between 1893 and 1969 to carry coal from the port of Gandia to factories in Alcoy. This is a pleasant 28 mile route, and not just because it's fairly level and runs downhill, but also because it gives you the chance to see several natural areas of exceptional beauty as regards environment and landscape: the Parque Natural de la Serra Mariola, the Sierra del Benicadell, the Embalse de Beniarrés, the Barranco de la Encantada, the Rincón del Duc, the Circo de la Safor, the Macizo del Mondúber and the Marjal de Pego-Oliva.

The third greenway is another disused railway line, known as La Safor and connecting Gandia with Oliva along the old tracks between Carcaixent and Dénia, a pleasant walk or ride through a patchwork of citrus orchards.

Information provided by the Valencian Community Tourist Authority www.comunitatvalenciana.com