We propose a trip to Plazaola Greenway Natural Trail, in the north of Navarra. A route following the railway route that linked Pamplona with Donostia, in the shadow of incredible beech forests flanked by the Sierra de Aralar, a legendary enclave.

Along the way: culture, gastronomy, railway heritage, beech forests, riverside forests, legendary settings, books and films.

An easy route, with beautiful landscapes. An itinerary suitable for those who like to enjoy the bike on a quiet trip, with short stages, very suitable for doing with the family, and with a lot to see every day, learning about the local culture with one of its star products, cheese.

The Plazaola railway linked the cities of San Sebastián and Pamplona. It was born as a modest mining railway, only 20 kilometers long, which linked the Plazaola mines, which give their name to the Natural Trail and the Greenway, with the Northern Railway station in Andoain.
The mines were located practically on the muga, the border between Navarra and Guipúzcoa.

It was put into service in 1905 and in 1914 it was expanded, joining Donosti and Pamplona.
At the time, this route was a challenge, with very complicated sections such as the Uitzi pass, the Cantabrian-Mediterranean divide, and the passage from the Leitzarán valley to the Larráun valley. To save it, a tunnel of more than 2,5 kilometers was built. For years, the longest narrow gauge in Spain.
After the civil war, the future of the line was not very promising. In 1953, strong floods washed away some bridges and part of the track, triggering the definitive closure of the line.

Today, a good part of its route has been recovered as Green Way thanks to the program nature trails of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, several of its stations have been converted and we can find restaurants and a tourist office, in Lekumberri, to better understand the history of this railway. The itinerary has been consolidated thanks to the project Ederbidea and offers a wide range of products and local experiences driven by the initiative of many entities promoted by the project. trailgazers.

Some authentic cycling vacation to enjoy one of the most beautiful corners of the Iberian Peninsula and with some unforgettable surprises such as the Mendukilo Cave (the heart of Aralar) and the visit to the Bikain cheese factory.

Do you want to know much more about the area? See here.