Via Verde de la Sierra Cycling Review: Easy Ride Near Ronda

So, when you think about southern Spain, it’s almost certain your mind shows you pictures of bright white villages clinging to hillsides. You are, in some respects, picturing a landscape baked golden by the sun, right? Anyway, what if you could pedal your way right through that postcard scene, but you know, without the really grueling uphill climbs that typically come with it? The Via Verde de la Sierra, which is basically a disused railway line turned bike path, offers exactly that kind of experience. Honestly, after spending a day on this route in 2025, it’s obviously one of the most wonderfully serene adventures you can have near Ronda, pretty much perfect for anyone who just likes a gentle roll through some truly stunning countryside. This is just a little look at what to expect on this very easygoing outing.

A Pathway with a Past: The Story Behind the Green Way

Actually, the most interesting thing about this route is that it was never supposed to be for bicycles. To be honest, this 36-kilometer stretch between Olvera and Puerto Serrano was part of an ambitious railway project in the 1920s that, you know, was never finished. So, the tracks were never laid, but the groundwork, I mean all the tunnels and viaducts, was completed, which at the end of the day, is just a total gift to us. This history is really what makes the ‘green way’ so special and so very flat. As a matter of fact, as you ride along, you will pass by the old station buildings; some of them, frankly, have been converted into really charming hotels and restaurants, sort of like little echoes of a past that never quite happened. For instance, the station at Olvera is a pretty lively spot to begin your trip, already setting a very unique tone for the day ahead.

Riding this path feels, in a way, like you are pedaling through history. The route’s almost non-existent gradient, you know, designed for the slow, steady pull of a steam locomotive, means your two-wheeled transport just glides along with very little effort. Seriously, you don’t need to be some sort of super-fit cyclist to enjoy this. Each of the thirty tunnels you pass through tells its own little tale. Some are quite short, just a few moments of cool shade, while others, like the Zaframagón tunnel, are almost a kilometer long and are lit up, which frankly feels like a little adventure all on its own. It’s almost as if the path itself is trying to tell you the story of its own making, you know, piece by piece.

The Scenery Unfolds: From Olvera’s Heights to Quiet Riverbanks

Alright, so kicking things off in Olvera is absolutely the way to go. This town is sort of perched on a hill, dominated by a frankly stunning church and a Moorish castle. The view from the starting point, you know, with the town behind you, is just so inspiring. As you set off, the pathway immediately pulls you into a completely different world, like, away from the town and deep into groves of olive trees and fields of sunflowers. The Guadalete river is pretty much your constant companion, sometimes right beside you, and sometimes way down below as you cross one of the magnificent viaducts. Honestly, these structures are amazing feats of engineering and offer some of the most breathtaking photo opportunities. The air out here, by the way, just feels so fresh and clean, filled with the aroma of wild herbs and farmland.

Basically, the change in surroundings is very gradual and just so peaceful. You are sort of going from wide-open farmlands into more rugged, rocky sections, and then back again. I mean, it keeps the whole ride interesting without ever being too difficult. At the end of the day, it’s just you, your bicycle, and the sounds of the Spanish countryside, which is mostly birdsong and the gentle hum of your tires on the path.