Doña Mencía: Vía Verde del Aceite Doña Mencía - Jaén

In Spain, so-called *Vías Verdes* (“greenways”) are a nationwide network of non-motorized routes created from disused railway lines. Since the 1990s, former tracks, tunnels, and stations have been restored and adapted for cycling and walking, resulting in routes that are generally well maintained, gently graded, and free of motor traffic. This makes them accessible to a wide range of users, while also preserving historical railway infrastructure and supporting sustainable tourism in rural areas.

The Vía Verde del Aceite is one of the longest and most representative of these routes, extending for over 120 kilometers through Andalusia. It follows the former “Tren del Aceite” railway, once used to transport olive oil across the region. Today, it offers a continuous cycling and walking route through a landscape dominated by extensive olive groves, with gentle gradients typical of former railway lines.

The route is usually described from Jaén to the area near Puente Genil, passing through towns such as Martos, Alcaudete, Luque, Zuheros, and Doña Mencía. Along the way, the route passes restored stations, viaducts, tunnels, and cuttings, all remnants of its railway past. The scenery transitions from endless olive plantations to more varied terrain in the Subbética area, where limestone formations and natural reserves add diversity to the landscape.

The route can be experienced in stages. In this case, it was completed in three parts: first, the section between Puente Genil and Doña Mencía was cycled out and back; on another day, the route from Doña Mencía to Jaén was covered; and on the following day, the same stretch was ridden back. This division allows for a more manageable exploration of the full length while still experiencing the continuity of the route.

Overall, the Vía Verde del Aceite combines a long-distance cycling experience with cultural and historical elements, characterized by its gentle profile, well-maintained surface, and strong connection to the olive-growing landscapes of Andalusia.