LIVING

Such backdrops make cycling in Catalunya a definite pleasure and with a variety of routes providing for all ages and abilities, there’s no excuse for not getting on your bike.

The Vias Verdes follow an extensive system of former railway tracks in Spain, which were closed to trains years ago. The government has since turned these outdated tracks into ‘green routes’, available for biking and hiking through Spain’s countryside.

There are currently 1,800 kilometres of Vias Verdes in Spain specifically for bicycle riders. Catalunya has four such routes, three in Girona and one in Tarragona.

Via Verde: La Ruta del Ferro i del Carbó

Ripoll’s Via Verde, called La Ruta del Ferro i del Carbó (Iron and Coal), is the easiest track in Catalunya, with the mouth of the trail conveniently located near the RENFE train station in the centre of Ripoll.

Probably because of its convenience and paved, well-maintained trails, the Ferro i del Carbó route is popular with families. Parents and kids pile in the car or onto the train with picnics and helmets in hand and make a day of exploring Ripoll’s old railway. At the end of the line, at the former Sant Joan de les Abadesses station, there’s a café, a kids’ playground and picnic tables, all helping to make this route a stress-free family outing.

Gregorio López Hidlago is with Amics del Senderisme i la Natura, a family-friendly group which organises outings to natural areas in Catalunya, including trips along the Vias Verdes. For López, getting out and experiencing nature goes hand-in-hand with protecting it. “On every excursion we meet people and make friends who share a similar interest in the environment. It’s an opportunity to do something that is cultural and also in defence of the environment.”

Catalunya’s Vias Verdes cut though some beautiful territory, and their existence certainly helps to protect the pristine natural zones which surround them. These green routes put people in touch with the outdoors, and enhance their appreciation of the need to protect it. When families come to ride along the Vias Verdes, they are taking part in a fun, healthy activity together, but they are also teaching their children an appreciation for the outdoors, said Lopez.