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Ojos Negros 1 Greemway
 
  DESCRIPTIÓN

Km. 0 / Km. 10 / Km. 20 / Km. 30 / Km 40 / Km 50 / Km 60

 
 

The section of the Ojos Negros Greenway through the Valencian Community runs from Barracas (Castellón) –on the border with Aragón- to Algimia de Alfara and Torres-Torres (Valencia), and was undertaken by the Generalitat Valenciana, the regional government. It should be noted that we have maintained the original kilometre post system for two reasons. Firstly, for the sake of historic authenticity and, more importantly, with the idea of there being a single kilometre post system for the entire 200 km plus length of the Greenway (including both the Valencian and Aragon sections) once all the work has been completed. Thus, in the near future, Km 0 will be at the mines of Ojos Negros (Teruel) and Km 203 at the Port of Sagunto. At present, in addition to the section described here there are further 92 km in the province of Teruel reaching as far as the town of Santa Eulalia, which makes this the longest Greenway in Spain, with 162 km of uninterrupted trail.

This Greenway has an added advantage: the modern Valencia-Teruel railway line runs parallel for practically the entire route and there are a number of stations nearby providing easy access to it. The following stations may be used: Algimia, Soneja, Segorbe, Navajas, Jérica, and Caudiel. We suggest that cyclists consult www.renfe.es  about possible restrictions on boarding trains with bicycles to avoid any last minute surprises.

 

Km 0

Our route begins at Barracas railway station. To get to the start of the Greenway, we need to head towards the town and soon we will see some steps leading up to the El Toro road. We take this road and immediately cross a bridge over the railway lines before turning left onto a tarmacked country lane. Some 150m further along is the start of the Greenway.

We can also go to Km 119.2 (according to original kilometre posts) and we will arrive at the old Barracas Station on the Greenway, very close to the border with the province of Teruel, and now converted into a hostel and a large recreational area by the Department of the Environment of the Generalitat Valenciana,.

We leave the village and head down a long straight section towards the plateau known as the Llano de Barracas. On the way we pass some ditches with stone walls arranged in the manner of a snow fence, a track off to the left village of El Toro, and a poplar grove between two embankments where there is a rest area (Km 2.8).

On this small plateau, at Km 4.7 the Greenway is forced to temporarily abandon the route of the old railway line and instead we travel along a country lane with very little traffic. We pass under a bridge carrying the active railway line as the old mining railway used to do a few hundred metres further along. Once on the other side of the tracks we rejoin the Greenway proper (Km 6) which now runs in a dead straight line alongside the active railway lines. From this point the trail begins to descend the spectacular Ragudo Pass and a kilometre further on we join the Sendero de Gran Recorrido (Long Trail) GR-7, which shares our route for a number of kilometres. 
The Greenway continues its path through a landscape of pine trees and at Km 8.7 we arrive at the two stations at Torás (Renfe and Sierra Menera), both disused.

Km. 10

In amongst the pine trees, the GR-7 Long Trail veers off towards the village of Monleón. A kilometre and a half further on, a sign announces the presence of a water fountain.

At Km 12.3 we reach the Mirador del Ragudo, a viewing point providing a magnificent opportunity to take in the Espadán mountains to the east and the Calderona mountains to the south.

Once over a viaduct (Km 12.6) on our right we pass by a refuge to be used in the event of bad weather (cold, snow or rain) which is equipped with a fireplace and firewood.

At Km 13 we arrive at the first tunnel along the way, the Ragudo tunnel, 237m in length. Shortly we pass through two more tunnels, neither of which are as long.

Soon we reach the Masadas Blancas station (Km 15), and our trail crosses what used to be the old N-234 road. Here there is a rest area, and around 300 metres further on we come across a Spanish Civil War machine gun bunker. The surface is now compacted earth (for some 500m) due to work on the junction with the motorway, which we pass under via a pedestrian underpass.

At Km 16.5 the Greenway enters an area dominated by pine trees. To our left the GR-7 Long Trail takes its definitive leave of our Greenway and continues along the old Camino Real de Aragón (Aragon Royal Way).

Km. 20

La Fuensanta Viaduct. This great engineering work, nearly 150m long, is unusual in that it is built alongside and almost completely flush against its broad gauge twin. Here we recommend making a short diversion down to the bottom of the ravine via a path on the left of the viaduct to best appreciate the magnificent view of the two parallel and practically touching viaducts. These superb engineering works are a sight to behold and are well worth a stop. At the same time we can refresh ourselves with water from a spring at the side of the path down to the bottom of the ravine, which is easy to spot due to the greenness of the surrounding area.

At Km 22.8 we arrive at Caudiel railway station. Though unused and out-of-the-way, it is nevertheless in good condition, and the water tanks that used to serve the powerful locomotives of the Sierra Menera railway are still intact. The station grounds are now the site of a rest area for our Greenway.

Before reaching the Caudiel tunnel, at Km 23.4 a track to our right leads to the railway station some 500 metres away.

At Km 24 we arrive at the mouth of the tunnel, lush with vegetation. Although it is 220 metres long the tunnel is easy to negotiate since it is equipped with automatic lighting and a hard paved surface.

At the far side of this tunnel we come upon a washing place fed by a spring and the houses of a district of Caudiel known as “El Barrio”. At this point our Greenway is joined by two more trails for walkers and cyclists; the Short Train PR-CV63 and the “Camino del Cid” trail. These trails are signposted and there is an information board.
From here we embark on a 6 kilometre stretch in which we can enjoy a rapidly changing landscape of contrasts and a succession of panoramic views.

At first we pass through a rich vegetation of fruit orchards and trees such as acacias, walnut trees, and the occasional Aleppo pine.

At Km 25.5 the Greenway climbs up to one of the highest points on the route, which affords us magnificent panoramic views of extensive fields of dryland crops with the mountains of Sierra Espadán Natural Park mountains in the background.

A railway cutting (Km 27) allows us to appreciate the peculiar geomorphology of the area before we lose height down a long straight section towards the town of Jérica, with the mountains of the Sierra Calderona Natural Park to our front.

The trail continues past another cutting (Km 29.5) which was used as a dumping ground when the tracks were taken up. Now some parts of the cutting walls still remain, giving us an idea of the scale of the earthworks required. Shortly afterwards we enter the longest tunnel on the route (520 m.), which is fitted with lighting and presents us with no problem.

Km. 30

On the far side of this tunnel is the station that used to serve the town of Jérica. A few metres further on we are forced to abandon the original route and make a diversion to our left along a farm road (the diversion is well signposted).

We then enter Jérica (Km 30.5), watching out for traffic and taking care to follow the Greenway signs, and soon find ourselves in the town square (Km 31) with its fountain, bars, shops, and the tourist office. This is a good moment to have a rest or take a stroll around the town.

The “Las Campanas” Tower is the town’s most famous landmark, the only example of Mudejar architecture on Valencian soil. Jérica used to be a walled town and we can still see some towers attached to houses. At the top of the Peña Tajada is the Homenaje Tower, all that remains of the town’s castle. The surrounding area is internationally renowned for its rock climbing opportunities, offering a wide range of routes and difficulties.

To leave the town we follow the Greenway signs that take us down a road, past a water treatment plant, and on to the old level-crossing hut, now restored, where we return once again to the Greenway proper (Km 32.6).

We travel downhill in another long cutting until we reach the river Palancia (Km 34) which we cross by means of a long viaduct whose elegance contrasts with the design of the parallel road bridge.

At Km 34.8 we reach a rest area and the old Jérica railway station with its water tank that used to supply the steam locomotives.
We continue downhill towards Navajas, close to the head of the Regajo Reservoir (Km 36). We cross the old N-234 road, now disused, as is the old level-crossing hut (Km 36.7).

Shortly afterwards we arrive at a tunnel (Km 37.5) and, once on the other side, we are treated with a splendid panoramic view of the Regajo Reservoir. We can get an even better view of the reservoir from a viewing point (Km 38) close to the railway lines which squeeze past the dam that forms the reservoir.
After passing through another tunnel (Km 38.3) we come across the old Navajas quarry where the stone used to build the rail bed was extracted. Here another rest area has been provided.

The route now continues among pine groves along an embankment, with views of the village of Navajas and the Sierra de Espadán mountains in the background. We soon reach the Navajas campsite (Km 39.3), located in the upper part of this quiet little village and a little later we cross the old N-234 road with its level-crossing hut (Km 40.3). At this point we might like to take our leave of the railway route for a short while and turn left along the road for a few metres before taking another left into Navajas.

Navajas is well worth a visit. We can visit an 11th century Moorish Tower (the Torre de Altomira), actually closer to the Greenway than to the town, a 16th century parish church, and the village square with its ancient tree (an elm planted in 1636) and splendid houses dating back to the late 19th century.

Close to Navajas there is an almost magical beauty spot where the “Cascada del Brazal” (Brazal Waterfall), a spectacular 30 metre cascade, plunges into the river Palancia. The area is known as the “Salto de la Novia” (Bride’s Leap) after a local legend that tells of a bride who plunged to a tragic death there. 

Km. 40

At Km 41 w pass under the new motorway and immediately afterwards we have the choice of two ways to pass through the town of Altura: we can either continue left through the town itself, which means tackling one or two steep hills, or continue right, along the route of the old rail bed, which will mean sharing the road with motor traffic. However the railway route is interrupted by a pond which obliges us to make deter through a pleasant park with a restaurant, hotel and swimming pool (Km 42) to the other side of the city, but the route is well signposted.
A short distance further on we regain the Greenway proper, and shortly after that we will see a signpost indicating a Short Trail (PR-63.9).

Km 44.2 finds us at the Rambla de Monteros rest area. We cross this dry gully by a bridge and around 500m later we reach a crossroads with a signpost to Cartuja de Vall de Crist.

Next we arrive at another rest area on the site of the ruined Segorbe railway station (Km 47.7), the scant remains of which are half overgrown by scrub.  The station is a fair way from the town from which it takes its name because the railway was built to serve the mining industry and passenger transport was already covered by the broad gauge railway. The Sierra Menera railway station served only as a junction for iron ore trains.

Segorbe is the capital town of the Rural District of Alto Palancia. Originally the Celtiberian-Roman city of Segóbriga, it features a 12th century Cathedral-Basilica, a Town Hall housed in a 15th century ducal house), an aqueduct, La Torre de la Cárcel (the Prison Tower), and the Museum of Archaeology.

Km. 50

At Km 51.7 a short track takes us under the motorway, tight up against the abutments of the Renfe bridge, and onwards to Soneja Renfe station and the village of the same name.

The motorway once again interrupts the route of the mining railway, but we get round the problem by using the service road that has been cut into the hillside. The detour is somewhat steep and requires a certain effort but is not really a problem. We share this section with other road users, but it is appropriately signed.

Thanks to the collaboration of the quarry owners, the Greenway continues alongside the Renfe (now strictly speaking ADIF) railway lines along a purpose built track which is separate from other motor traffic and the trucks entering and leaving the quarry (Km 52.8). In this way we negotiate one of the most altered points on the route of the old mining railway. The geology of the area attracted gypsum producers who were quick to  excavate a massive quarry which obliterated what was left of the mining railway.

A kilometre further on the original route of the mining railway reappears and shortly afterwards there is a rest area and a viewing point for Sot de Ferrer, a small village overlooked by the San Antonio Hermitage.

At Km 56.5 we reach the El Juncar road junction under which the railway route was irremediably lost. However, once again road and Greenway authorities collaborated to find a solution to the problem, making use of the few metres available between the pillars of the bridge and so ensuring the continuity of the route, safe from the traffic using this junction.

On the far side of the junction, the Greenway, once again with a tarmac surface, enters a landscape of pine groves and crop fields (Km 56.7).

Soon we reach a deep cutting, crossed by a bridge carrying the Algar del Palancia road crosses by a bridge, before arriving at a pronounced dip in the trail due to the N-225 road, which we pass underneath. Care is required as we share this section with other traffic.

Km. 60

Now travelling between orange groves, we head towards a bridge over the Rambla del Somat or Barranco de Arguinas (Km 60), before entering a long cutting which takes us to the villages of Alfara de Algimia and Algimia de Alfara. From the Greenway (Km 62) we can see the latter village and its surrounding orange groves.

A track off to our left (Km 62.3) leads to Algimia railway station, some 300m away. This is also where the Camino del Cid trail branches off on its way to Les Valls.

A kilometre past the Algimia de Alfara level crossing hut where the mining railway crosses the old N-234 road there is a rest area, which is where the Greenway ends at the moment. But soon it will be possible to go as far as Sagunto, and a connecting trail will link up with Puçol and the Greenway de Xurra. So in a short while it will be possible to cycle or walk all the way into the city of Valencia itself.

 
 
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