The Vía Verde de Ojos Negros turns the course of the Sierra Menera mining railway into a journey through eastern Spain. Its landscapes change from the Jiloca Valley and the mountains around Teruel to the Palancia Valley and Valencia’s orchards. The Spanish Railways Foundation describes the greenway in Aragón and Valencia sections.
From the mining country towards Teruel
The route takes its name from Ojos Negros in the province of Teruel, where Spain’s official tourism guide locates the northern end of the itinerary. Its railway heritage gives the ride a distinctive character: former mining stations, tunnels and viaducts recall the line that once served Sierra Menera.
The Jiloca Valley and the Sierra de Javalambre form part of the wider journey south. Teruel is a worthwhile place to include in a trip: the city is known for its Mudéjar architecture, which has World Heritage recognition. The historic centres of Sarrión and La Puebla de Valverde offer further reasons to allow time away from the saddle.
Barracas and the Palancia Valley
At Barracas in Castellón province, the Foundation’s Valencia-section guide places riders on a plateau at the foot of the Sierra de Javalambre. From here the greenway descends through the Palancia Valley towards the cultivated landscapes of Valencia. Its listed communities include Caudiel, Viver, Jérica, Navajas and Segorbe.
Railway engineering remains part of the experience on this section, with tunnels and bridges along the way. The Foundation describes a mixture of asphalt and compacted earth. Beyond Albalat dels Tarongers, it also describes a separate connection towards Puçol and the Xurra Greenway for riders considering a longer journey towards Valencia.
Planning a ride
The two regional sections can be used to shape a trip around the landscapes and towns that interest you. Jérica, Navajas and Segorbe are suggested stops by Spain’s official tourism portal; near Navajas, the Salto de la Novia waterfall is another place to explore.
Check the Foundation’s route page before setting out. Its notice reports temporary diversions associated with railway works between Teruel and Sarrión and advises following signs on the ground. For riders with reduced mobility, the Foundation notes exceptions involving ramps outside the original railway alignment and the final kilometres that do not follow it. Conditions and the suitability of a chosen section should be checked for the intended trip.