Vía Verde of Almanzora – Cantoria Section

The Vía Verde del Almanzora, whose first stages of transformation into a Vía Verde are already underway on the Guadix-Almendricos railway line (Granada-Murcia), was built to provide quick access to the minerals in this area. It began operation between 1906 and 1907 by various companies with English capital, until the end of the last century, when it passed into the hands of Spanish capital.

The track used to be known as the Almanzora Railway, and linked the cities of Murcia and Granada. It was opened in 1885. The main merchandise that was transported along the line was straw, iron ore and marble from the nearby quarries of Macael.

The mineral was transported from the mines using the overhead cable lines that took the iron ore to the Los Zoilos and El Canós loading bays. On the 1st of January 1985, it was closed to traffic between the Granada village of Guadix and the Murcia village of Almendricos (Lorca), whilst the rest of the line remained in use.

The town halls of SerónFines, Cantoria and Olula del Río have carried out reconditioning projects along the sections of this line, that run through their towns By doing this, they aim to complete a large vía verde in the Almanzora valley, looking to create an ideal route for cycling and walking, suitable for all kinds of users, including those with reduced mobility.

This section of the vía de Cantoria is fully refurbished and has large boulevard, and in the old station houses the offices of the Almanzora Rural Development Centre (PRODER). It was the first section of the vía to be rehabilitated.

Points of Interest: Centro de Interpretación del Fuego (Fire Interpretation Centre)