The Vía Verde del Ferrocarril Vasco-Navarro follows the story of the old “Trenico” through Estella-Lizarra, Vitoria-Gasteiz and the Basque valleys. The Vías Verdes programme describes a journey of former stations, bridges and tunnels, with changes of scenery from Navarra’s Ega valley to the plains and mountains of Álava and the towns of Gipuzkoa.
From Estella-Lizarra into the Ega valley
The former railway station in Estella-Lizarra, now the bus station, is the starting point described by Visit Navarra. From the historic town, the route heads towards Zubielqui and the villages of the Ega valley. The original railway alignment could not be recovered between Zubielqui and Murieta, so the Vías Verdes guide describes an alternative through the municipality of Metauten, with some slopes.
Murieta and Ancín retain railway buildings, while the journey towards Acedo brings fields and wooded cuttings. The Acedo tunnel and Arquijas viaduct are among the railway landmarks highlighted by Navarra’s tourism office. Beyond the viaduct, the route reaches Zúñiga and crosses from Tierra Estella towards the Álava side of the journey.
Railway heritage and the Laminoria detour
The route continues through the Montaña Alavesa towards Santa Cruz de Campezo and Antoñana. At Antoñana’s former station, railway carriages house an interpretation centre dedicated to the line and its surroundings. Arraia-Maeztu’s municipal guide also identifies the centre as a place to learn about the former railway.
Near Santo Toribio, the historic Laminoria tunnel is impassable. The route guide describes a mountain alternative over the Gereñu pass, with steep ramps: this is a significant change from the character riders might expect of a railway path. On the other side, the itinerary continues past Erentxun and Trokoniz towards Vitoria-Gasteiz.
Vitoria-Gasteiz and the northern sections
In Vitoria-Gasteiz, the old railway alignment has been absorbed by urban growth. The Vías Verdes guide points to the city’s cycle lanes and Green Belt route for continuity through the city. North of Vitoria, the itinerary passes agricultural land and approaches Landa, close to the Ullibarri-Gamboa reservoir, before continuing through woodland towards Arlabán.
The Gipuzkoa sections resume at Eskoriatza and continue through Aretxabaleta and Arrasate/Mondragón towards Bergara, with a branch to Oñati. This part combines towns, industrial areas and shorter stretches of greenery along the Deba valley.
Putting a ride together
The greenway is best planned as a series of sections. In addition to the steep alternative around Laminoria, the Vías Verdes guide says that unrecovered tunnels prevent a continuous greenway connection over Arlabán. Its described onward connection to Eskoriatza uses the GI-627 road and has substantial gradients; the guide suggests starting the Gipuzkoa section in Eskoriatza, particularly when travelling with children.
Allow for road crossings and shared sections as well as dedicated paths. Check the detailed Vías Verdes description before choosing a section, and use the interpretation centre at Antoñana to give the railway remains along the way some historical context.