Cycling along the Ojos Negros greenway

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I cycled the Ojos Negros during a hot spell in May ’25, and the heat added a whole new layer to the experience. The route itself is beautiful — long, quiet stretches, old railway tunnels, and wide‑open landscapes — but riding it under early‑summer temperatures made it feel even more adventurous.
When I cycled this route, it was incredibly quiet. Over the entire ride I only came across one Dutch guy on a mountain bike and a handful of hikers. The solitude made the landscape feel even bigger, and the whole experience had this peaceful, almost meditative rhythm to it.

 Ojos Negros Greenway is easily accessible from Valencia, especially if you begin by cycling along the Xurra Greenway toward its official starting point.

The Ojos Negros itinerary between Teruel and the Valencian coast is currently the longest "vía verde" (greenway) in Spain. Due to its length (183 km), it is divided into two sections. The first one is the Valencia section , the seconfd one is the Teruel section.

Valencia section:
From there, the route rises gently through fertile valley dotted with vegetable gardens and orchards. As you continue climbing, the landscape opens onto a series of charming villages—such as Segorbe—on the way to the Barracas plateau. A particularly evocative stretch follows the historic Sierra Menera mining railway, adding a touch of industrial heritage to the journey.

On this particular day in May, t​he flowers were in full bloom, and the greenway was lined on both sides with a vibrant, colourful display that made the whole ride feel alive.  Bees and butterflies were in their element, drifting from flower to flower.

With plenty of tunnels along the route, slipping out of the 34‑degree heat and into those dark, cool passageways was a real pleasure. As you approach, automatic sensors pick up your presence and the lights flick on, guiding you through with a soft glow that feels almost cinematic after the bright sun outside. Some of the tunnels are short, others are a good distance.

Teruel section:

The Teruel section runs almost entirely within the province of Teruel, following the route of the historic Sierra Menera mining railway. Along the way, the greenway skirts the fascinating city of Teruel and continues through the Palancia Valley, the highlands of the Javalambre and Gúdar mountains, and the broad Jiloca Valley, eventually reaching the Ojos Negros mines. It’s a stretch rich in landscapes, heritage, and quiet rural charm.

As the route leads you through an ever‑changing landscape, the small rural towns of Valencia and Aragón offer an authentic glimpse into the real Spain.