Vías Verdes

The articles Green Route and Vías Verdes overlap thematically. Help me to better differentiate or merge the articles (→  instructions ) . To do this, take part in the relevant redundancy discussion . Please remove this module only after the redundancy has been completely processed and do not forget to include the relevant entry on the redundancy discussion page{{ Done | 1 = ~~~~}}to mark. Nicola - Ming Klaaf 14:31, Oct 6, 2013 (CEST)

Information board on Vía Verde in Girona , Spain

Vías Verdes (Spanish, in German about Green Paths ) are cycling or hiking trails on disused railway lines in Spain and Mexico .

Spain

In Spain there are around 7,000 km of disused railway lines, around a fifth of which are designated as cycle paths or hiking trails, some are asphalted, and the surface is only slightly cultivated. They are known as Vias Verdes or Caminos Naturales (nature trails) and are managed by a consortium (Fundacion de los Ferrocarriles Españoles) or the Spanish Ministry of the Environment (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente) .

Both institutions have published guides to these cycle routes (Guía de Vías Verdes, Guía de los Caminos Naturales).

The special thing about the Spanish railway cycle paths are the many tunnels required due to the geographical situation, which are usually passable and, if the length is appropriate, also illuminated. The installed systems are often damaged; every cyclist or hiker should therefore bring their own lighting.

One tunnel after another, Vía Verde de la Sierra , Andalusia

Almost 80 Vías Verdes have been recorded so far, a few are not suitable for cyclists (hiking trails), some trails cannot be found in the official guides. Most of the Vías Verdes are former railway lines , a few are cycle paths along the Spanish canals (e.g. Vía Verde Canal de Castilla ( Palencia )).

The official guides also indicate the suitability of the individual paths for the disabled (wheelchair users), some of the paths are also approved for riders.

Examples

• Via Verda de la Terra Alta (Catalonia), 23.6 km long, with 20 tunnels and 5 viaducts
• Vía Verde de la Val de Zafán (Aragon), approx. 28 km long with the longest tunnel in Europe that can be passed by bike.

Mexico

Following the Spanish model, efforts are being made in Mexico to create Vías Verdes, especially on the lines that have been closed since the privatization of the railway network, with the stations being re-used as a cultural center or local museum if possible. The following routes have been expanded and in operation (2012):

• Hidalgo : Line from Tulancingo via the abandoned rail junction Ventoquipa to Cuautepec (former Línea H and HD, 14 kilometers, 3 expanded and converted stations)
• Distrito Federal and Morelos : Route from the San Angel district through the western parts of the capital to near the center of Cuernavaca (former Línea C, 112 kilometers, highest point almost 3000 meters)

There are projects in the following states that have not yet been implemented:

• Jalisco : 3 routes between Empalme Orendaín - Ameca, La Vega - Etzatlán and Ocotlán - Atotonilco el Alto (Línea TL, TM and IC, a total of 121 km, 5 stations).
• Veracruz : the imposing mountain route on the Mexico City - Veracruz line, which was closed in 1985, between Sumidero and Fortín de las Flores (Línea S, 6 kilometers, including the famous Metlac Bridge)
• Chihuahua : Route from the city of Chihuahua through mountains and deserts from La Junta to Ciudad Juárez (Linea QA, 572 kilometers, 9 stations).
• Durango : Route from the state capital Durango through the mountains to Tepehuanes (Línea DB, 217 kilometers).
• Guanajuato : route from Salamanca to Jaral del Progreso (Línea AC, 36 km).

See also

• Green route
• List of cycle paths on disused railway lines

Web links

• The official website of the Vías Verdes in Spain
• Overview of the Vías Verdes, page from Valencia-Spain
• Website of the Spanish Ministry of the Environment about the Caminos Naturales
• Overview of the Vías Verdes (German)
• Image documentation of selected Vías Verdes (German)
• Photos and information Via Verda de Terra Alta

Individual evidence

1. ↑ www.viasverdes.com (Spanish)  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
2. ↑ www.ffe.es (English)