With a length of 68 kilometers and connecting the towns of Sarasa and Andoain, the Plazaola Greenway follows the former railway line that linked Pamplona with San Sebastian in the Navarre River valley in the Basque Country in Spain. The line served train service from 1914 to 1958, before it was abandoned. Since 2007, the route has reopened but as a combination hiking and biking trail, passing through beautiful landscapes along the Navarre Valley, cute small historic villages- each one with its own unique culture and heritage- and lastly, bridges and tunnels, like in the photo above.
Dozens of tunnels as well as stone arch bridges and viaducts can be found along this route. Some of which you can pass bay, others you can cross. This includes a 2.7 km Utzi Tunnel, considered the longest of its kind in Europe. Some of the historic bridges along the path are enriched with histories, including haunted stories of witches who reside there. Big or small, these crossings are what make this trail unique and a must-see if you are into historic bridges, photography or just want some adventure along the way.
There are two different Arts and Culture Tour Guides that were created by Google which shows you the trail and everything one can see along the way. There’s a general one that includes video of the trip and contains a map and general information about the trail and what a person can see. A link to the guide you can find here:
General Information: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-plazaola-greenway-navarre-basque-country-fundacion-de-los-ferrocarriles-espanoles/1QURI_wRz58gKA?hl=en
The second one focuses on the viaducts and tunnels that exist along the trail. Each one contains some information and stories behind them.
Tunnels and Viaducts: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/awUxqxeaCD3tBQ
Both guides feature a gallery of photos which will awake your interest and motivate you to see, while in the Basque Country in Spain. From a personal point of view, when I discovered it and saw both guides, I automatically added this to my Places to Visit List and received a backing from the rest of the family. The trail has everything for everyone, young and old. Family friendly and something that you will learn from as you travel the length of the trail.
Enjoy the guides and happy trails, everyone! 🙂
The Bridgehunter's Chronicles 