The Vasco Navarro Railway Greenway revives the much-loved narrow-gauge railway that connected Estella-Lizarra to Bergara via Vitoria-Gasteiz. Known as “El Trenico” (The Little Train), it has provided us with a surprising route that, in Navarre and Álava, runs through the regions of Tierra Estella, Montaña Alavesa and Llanada Alavesa
The suggested itinerary is divided into different sections due to the length of the route, the existence of the impassable Laminoria tunnel and the passage through the capital of Álava. The suggested starting point is the monumental Estella-Lizarra, which is located on the Way of St. James.
ATTENTION!: The Acedo or Arquijas tunnel features a lighting system powered by solar panels that may not work on very cloudy days. It is therefore advisable to have a torch or lights on your bike.
This Greenways has been carried out by the Alava Provincial Council and within the framework of the Natural Trail Programme of the Ministerio de Agricultura y Pesca, Alimentación y Medio Ambiente. More info>>
From Estella-Lizarra to Puerto de Arlabán via Tierra Estella, Montaña Alavesa, Llanada Alavesa and the capital of Ávila, Vitoria-Gasteiz
LOCATION
Between Estella-Lizarra (Navarre) and Puerto de Arlaban (Álava)- Navarre – Basque Country
Length: 96 km
Section I: From Estella-Lizarra (Navarre) to the Chapel of Santo Toribio (Álava). 48.2 km
Section II: From Laminoria tunnel and Vitoria-Gasteiz + branch line to Estíbaliz (1.5 km). 27.9 km (includes 9 km of the alternative route to Laminoria tunnel)
Section III: From Vitoria-Gasteiz to Puerto de Arlabán. 19.9 km
Users:* **
*Section I: Slopes (some up to 7%) in the section between Zubielqui and Murieta
*Section II: The alternative route to bypass Laminoria tunnel is unsuitable (steep slopes) and some parts are shared with vehicles
*Section III. Suitable with some difficulties between Urbina and Villarreal
** Section I. Estella/Lizarra-Zubielqui and Section III. Vitoria-Gasteiz – Amarita crossing
Type of surface:
Section I: asphalt and compacted soil.
Section II: compacted soil.
Section III: Vitoria/Gasteiz-Amarita crossing: asphalt. Amarita crossing-Puerto de Arlabán: tierra compacted soil
Natural setting:
Section I: Barranco de Lasia Nature Reserve and Arquijas gorge, Nature Reserve of Sierra de Lokiz and of Yoar, lime and yew trees in Antoñana, Izki Nature Reserve, Arboro and Soila hills, Pocilones gorge, Igoroin canyon, Laminoria Valley, Iturrieta mountain range and Vitoria hills
Section II: Aizkorri-Aratz Nature Reserve, Iturrieta beech grove, considered the most important in Álava. Isla de la Llanada Alavesa oak groves: Arzubiaga and Amárita
Section III: Salburua Ataria Wetlands (SCI). Interpretation Centre. River courses of the Zadorra (SCI) and Alegría
Cultural heritage:
Estella-Lizarra: Monumental ensemble
Murieta, Mendilibarri, Acedo y Ancín: Churches
Zúñiga: shrine, chapel and viaduct of Arquijas, Chapel of La Beata Sis, Church of Santa María and medieval design
Santa Cruz de Campezo: Church of La Asunción, Chapel of Ibernalo and houses of Díaz de Antoñana, Estenegas and Uriarte
Antoñana: Vasco-Navarro Railway Greenway Interpretation Centre, Church of San Vicente Mártir, Chapel of El Campo, Hurtado de Mendoza house-tower, house-palace of Los Elorza, remains of medieval wall and mills
Atauri: Assumption church, chapels of Soledad and Santo Cristo, Moors cave and asphalt mines (in project)
Maeztu: Santa Cruz church, palace of Samaniego, chapel of the Virgen del Campo, caves of Obi and Guesal
Cicujano-Zekuiano: church of San Juan Bautista and chapels
Aletxa: chapel of Santo Toribio and Romanesque church of San Esteban
Alegría-Dulantzi: old town
Gauna: palace of the Marquesa de Salvatierra and church of San Esteban
Estíbaliz: sanctuary of Estíbaliz
Aberasturi: house of the Marquis and church of San Esteban
Otazu: church of San Martín
Vitoria-Gasteiz: old town
Durana: parish church of San Esteban Protomártir and bridge
Luko: bridge and palace of Arzamendi
Urbina: church of San Antolín
Landa: chapel of San Bartolomé
The start of the itinerary features the monumental ensemble of Estella-Lizarra, where it connects with the European Cultural Itinerary (UNESCO) of the Way of St. James. Estella-Lizarra enjoys outstanding cultural heritage with a large amount of monasteries, convents, churches, walls and palaces, without forgetting its old town. If forms part of the Network of Spanish Jewries–Paths of Sepharad and of the Network of Medieval Cities and Towns. It is also worth mentioning its old, elegant railway terminus, which is now a bus station and home to the Tierra Estella Tourist Consortium and its tourist office
UNESCO Heritage in the surroundings of the Greenway. #Greenways Heritage
Routes of Santiago de Compostela: Camino Francés and Routes of Northern Spain (in Estella-Lizarra).More info>>
Greenway. 8 tunnels, 3 viaducts, 8 footbridges and several bridges. The alternative to the Laminoria tunnel (9 km) is not a Greenway. Cycle lanes (“bidegorris”) in Vitoria-Gasteiz and Estella-Lizarra. Green Ring Tour of Vitoria-Gasteiz. Rest areas in all sections. Signposts, information panels, etc
How to get there:
Public transport. Train: Vitoria-Gasteiz and Alegría-Dulantzi stations. Bus: stops in all municipal districts along the greenway. Estella-Lizarra and Vitoria-Gasteiz bus stations
Connections:
Section I: Estella-Lizarra, 42 km to Pamplona
Section II: Vitoria-Gasteiz, 45 km to Antoñana
Section III: Vitoria-Gasteiz, 12 km to Legutiano
Connections with other routes/Greenways:
This Greenway connects in Estella-Lizarra with the Way of St. James, Eurevelo 1 and 3, and forms part of other itineraries such as the Grand Cycling Route around Álava Plain, the Ignatian Way and the “Senda del Pastoreo” Natural Path.
This long, attractive route features varying landscapes of great beauty. It crosses through cereal-growing plains and mountains, rivers and gorges, leafy forests and charming towns. This singular railway heritage is made up of a series of stations, viaducts, footbridges and tunnels. But there is even more –the icing on the cake is formed by such emblematic cities as the monumental Estella-Lizarra, which is linked to the Way of St. James, and the green and cultural Vitoria-Gasteiz. It is certainly a greenway that should not be missed.
The suggested itinerary is divided into different sections due to the length of the route, the existence of the long, impassable Laminoria tunnel and the passage through the capital of Álava. Moreover, on this same website you will find another exciting section of the Vasco Navarro Railway in Gipuzkoa>>
SECTION I: From Estella-Lizarra to the Chapel of Santo Toribio via the Antoñana Interpretation Centre.
Km. 0
This route begins in Estella-Lizarra (km 0), undoubtedly a first-rate start. It is a monumental city that epitomises Navarre’s varied territory. It will soon also be an outstanding landmark on the Eurovelo 1 and 3 routes. The old station of this city linked to the Way of St. James, the destination and origin of the train known as “El Trenico”, marks the beginning of our adventure. The impressive station, which has been reconverted into a bus station, now features a tourist information point, a bar and the Tierra Estella Tourist Consortium. We have to go along a few streets, following the signposts, and then take the cycle lane to exit the city towards Zubielqui (km 4.5). Before reaching this locality, we have to pass through the first tunnel (150 m), which is curved and illuminated, cross a bridge over the Ega River and cross over 2 roads (be careful!).
It is worth noting that we cannot follow the original railway line between Zubielqui and Murieta, with the busy road being replaced by alternative trails. We therefore have to travel 9.5 km through the municipality of Metauten, at the foot of the Lokiz mountain range and in the territory of the black truffle, an underground fungus that lives in association with the roots of holm and kermes oaks in the mountains. You can find out more in Metauten’s Truffle Museum–interpretation centre and try dishes featuring this culinary delicacy in some of the area’s restaurants (temporarily closed).
The holm oak grove that we go through, after leaving Zubielqui, makes up for the slopes we come across in this section separated from the railway line. Some have a gradient of up to 7%. We arrive at Zufía (km 7.7) and its rest area before crossing a wooden footbridge over the road to Metauten. We continue as far as Murieta (km 12.7) and its magnificent station. We then go through Mendilibarri and on to Ancín (km 15.5), where we will see a series of attractive railway buildings and have a chance to visit the water tower. A dirt trail starts here that we will have to share with a few agricultural vehicles. We soon come to the original route of the railway and pass by the ruinous Granada halt, surrounded by a landscape made up of a long fertile plain featuring vegetable gardens, fields of cereals and asparagus crops, before reaching the short Granada tunnel. A series of trenches bordered by holm oaks precede the viewpoint overlooking the Lokiz mountain range.
Furthermore, we can enjoy a unique experience here if we visit at night, since its starry sky has been certified as a Starlight Reserve 2018. There is even an astronomical viewpoint called “El Trenico”, with panels for interpretating the constellations.
And that is not all –the section between Estella-Lizarra and Zúñiga is a real “butterfly refuge” where you will find a great variety of species (Old World swallowtail, purple hairstreak, red admiral…). It is easy to see the butterflies and identify them thanks to the information panels.
The Lokiz mountain range
The Lokiz mountain range runs from the Álava corridor of San Vicente de Arana and Santa Cruz de Campezo to the Allín and Metauten valleys. It is about 22 kilometres long and covers an area of 140 square kilometres. It is characterised by a long karstic massif with four aquifers. If features natural habitats that reflect Navarre’s biological diversity; its varied vegetation is made up of beech trees, oaks and kermes oaks.
In relation to the rich fauna associated with this biodiversity, it is worth highlighting two endangered bird species: the middle-spotted woodpecker and the black woodpecker. In the area of Lokiz, there are 25 villages scattered around several valleys that are entitled to the usufruct of the mountain range (system called “facerías”). The usufruct is managed by a “Junta” or council formed by representatives of each of the villages. At the top of the mountain range, above Ganuza, there is a chapel where council meetings used to be held.
In relation to the rich fauna associated with this biodiversity, it is worth highlighting two endangered bird species: the middle-spotted woodpecker and the black woodpecker. In the area of Lokiz, there are 25 villages scattered around several valleys that are entitled to the usufruct of the mountain range (system called “facerías”). The usufruct is managed by a “Junta” or council formed by representatives of each of the villages. At the top of the mountain range, above Ganuza, there is a chapel where council meetings used to be held. Although it has lighting, we recommend taking a torch, wearing a forehand lamp or using your bike’s lights in case of any technical problems. As a curiosity, it is worth mentioning that this tunnel has a vertical well shaft that links the gallery with the mountain and with alcoves at both entrances, which were made in order to blow up the bridge in wartime.
It was not easy for the Vasco Navarro Railway to make its way along mountain slopes covered with holm oaks, oaks, strawberry trees and box trees. Therefore, the railway track, obliged to wind its way, passes through the short Peñón tunnel and features panoramic views of the gorge, the shrine and the Chapel of Arquijas. It then had to excavate a deep, curved trench, at the end of which there is a viewpoint.
The route now enters the Arquijas Gorge, which is perhaps the most rugged part of the Navarre section. The icing on the cake is the Arquijas viaduct over the Ega River, with its 9 arches and 30-metre height, a symbol of the Barranco de Lasia Nature Reserve and the eastern end of the Codés mountain range.
We continue as far as Zúñiga (km 26.8) and its ruinous station, which has a rest area featuring enormous London planetrees. This landmark announces the changeover from Navarre’s Tierra Estella region to Álava’s Campezo Valley, accompanied by a sudden change in the landscape. The wild landscape transitions to farmland from now on.
From Zuñiga to the Laminoria tunnel.
From Zuñiga, a long, straight section, only altered by three level-crossings (be careful!), takes us over the muga or border between Navarre and the Basque Country, a point that has always been known locally as “El Confín”.
Do not miss the old engine shed of the Santa Cruzde Campezo Station (km 33), which no longer exists, or what is on offer in the capital of the MontañaAlavesa region, which features outstanding heritage and a chance to get supplies. The greenway then crosses the busy A-132 road via a stylised wooden footbridge.
An excellent viewpoint overlooking Fresnedo Park, where the river water is retained to form a large pool and there is a recreational area featuring an extensive lawn where you can relax. Another interesting landmark is the ashlar-and-concrete Santa Cristina viaduct, which crosses the Berrón River. We will soon pass through a deep railway trench, crowned by a flyover arch. We can now see La Muela, an immense limestone mass featuring beech and box groves, with precipitous scarps where an interesting colony of griffon vultures nest. The greenway now enters a long, straight dirt trail that runs parallel to the dense undergrowth covering the river, surrounded by farmland and gall-oak groves on the southeast boundary of the Izki Nature Reserve.
The route continues along a section off of the original railway line as far as Antoñana Station (km 38.1), which houses Euskotren railway carriages that have been converted into the Vasco Navarro Railway Greenway Interpretation Centre. A place that is well worthvisiting. Moreover, a recent remodelling of the loading bay as a cafeteria and bike rental outlet complete the services provided by this key point on the greenway.
The route continues along a section off of the original railway line as far as Antoñana Station (km 38.1), which houses Euskotren railway carriages that have been converted into the Vasco Navarro Railway Greenway Interpretation Centre. A place that is well worthvisiting. Moreover, a recent remodelling of the loading bay as a cafeteria and bike rental outlet complete the services provided by this key point on the greenway.
Before reaching the Atauri tunnel (km 42.4), the road takes over the railway line and so the greenway again takes an alternative route. We come almost immediately to the Atauri viaduct (105.3 m long and 8.5 m wide with 7 arches). It features a striking curved design. The rest area here gives you a beautiful view of the dam holding back the current.
The greenway now enters an attractive section along the riverbank. A dirt trail on the right takes us to the cute little Chapel of La Soledad, whose Romanesque apse is still intact. Since the route was obliged to separate from the railway line, a fabulous footbridge crosses over the road and the river. We are getting close to Maetzu, but not before passing the Zumalde recreational area featuring a picnic spot, natural and artificial pools, meadows and play areas. We cross a bridge over Las Ferrerías Canal and the Peñasalada bridge over the Berrón river, which takes us to the fabulous Maeztu Station (km 45.5), which now belongs to the local council. The cycle lane or “bidegorri” takes us out of this municipal capital, which features numerous services. Going across the bridge of planks over the Berrón river and a footbridge over the road to Cicujano, we say goodbye to Maeztu.
We soon cross over the Leorza-Aletxa (A-4145) road, which gives us the closest views of Leorza and, further back, the rocky pass that hems in the Musito river. We shortlyl come to the 200-metre-long Cicujano tunnel, which is curved and illuminated. A surprise awaits us inside the tunnel –there we can enjoy the frescos on its walls that imitate the area’s native vegetation.
On exiting the tunnel, we see the well-maintained halt and, straightaway, a view of the small village of Cicujano-Zekuiano in which the silhouette of its church stands out. The greenway enters a long, straight section alongside the wild course of the Musitu river, surrounded by mountainous slopes covered by gall oaks as well as an enormous metallic tube. We are 1.4 km from the entrance to the Laminoria tunnel when we see the obligatory detour to the right. The presence of the Chapel of Santo Toribio (km 48.2) indicates that we have arrived at this point
The alternative to the Laminoria tunnel.
The Laminoria tunnel (2,250 m!) is perhaps this railway’s most emblematic project. It goes under the Ullibarria pass that separates the Montes de Vitoria hills from the Montes de Iturrieta ones, connecting the Montaña Alavesa and Llanada Alavesa regions. There are a lot of stories about its construction. It took the teams of workers and engineers, who started working on opposite ends, two years to meet up, but their calculations were almost perfect. There was only a deviation of seven centimetres. It would be an incredible experience to be able to pass through the tunnel. Unfortunately, this is not possible due to cave-ins, flooding and the high cost of its restoration. In this case, without the tunnel, the alternative 9-km-long route is not easy for cyclists or trekkers that are not in good physical shape, since it is a mountain trail that goes up towards the Gereñu pass, with gradients of more than 17%. It is well signposted and, although it has nothing to do with the characteristics of the greenway, it adds a touch of adventure and the possibility of extending the Vasco Navarro Railway Greenway.
SECTION II: From Laminoria Tunnel to Vitoria-Gasteiz via Estíbaliz.
Km. 57
After getting around the impassable tunnel and back onto the greenway, we now begin our descent down to the capital of Álava. We are still in the Montaña Alavesa region. In this area, in order to keep the route straight in such rugged terrain, the engineers designed a series of tall embankments and deep trenches.With the arrival of winter, these tall trenches were a source of problems for the railway’s trains. After heavy snowfalls, it took several days to clear the tracks, rendering the line inoperative for more than a week. We will soon see the ruins of the tunnel house, a building that was used during the construction of this large gallery as the manager’s office and accommodation for employees. Later on, it was used to house the maintenance team. This first section features a magical beech grove dotted with oaks, holly trees and bilberries, with areas of sparser and denser vegetation, which displays a wide range of colours in autumn.
We now come to Ullibarri-Jauregi Station (km 57.6), which is far from the two localities after which it is called. The Rotalde electrical substation still exists, while all that remains of the Gauna halt is the esplanade.
The next locality is Erentxun, where there is not much left of its ruinous station. We then carefully cross the road, in the locality, in order to continue through an extensive area of farmland as far as the route’s last tunnel (157 m). This is followed by a straight section through the flat fields of crops that end at the level-crossing on the road, beside the locality of Trokoniz and its small restored halt, which houses a school. We are now fully in the Llanada Alavesa region, where farmland will be the greenway’s characteristic landscape. Before coming to Andollu (km 66.2), the Estíbaliz branch line appears on the right. In this locality, there is a fork on the railway line. In its majestic station, railway workers operated the switches that directed the trains either towards the main line or towards the steep slopes that the electric railcars climbed up to the Sanctuary of Estíbaliz.
The branch line to the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora de Estíbaliz.
In order to reach Estíbaliz, located 1.5 km away (a 3-km round trip), we have to ascend along a route that includes a couple of bends, in which the greenway enters a deep trench before coming to the platforms of Estíbaliz Station. Before we arrive, we will encounter a trail, which is a good alternative (especially for persons with reduced mobility) that avoids a series of stairs at the end of the Estíbaliz branch line.
The terminus of the branch line was conceived as a halt in a cul-de-sac, in which an elegant arcade stands out. The short stairway links the platforms with the sanctuary’s carpark, where another stairway –quite a bit longer– takes us to the entrance of the Sanctuary of Estíbaliz, a Romanesque gem that houses the patron saint of Álava.
Another great opportunity while in Estíbaliz is undertaking the Grand Cycling Route around Álava Plain (a 112 km long circular itinerary around Vitoria-Gasteiz).
Back on the main route and in the surroundings of Aberasturi, we cross the road to Vitoria-Gasteiz (be careful!) and pass by Aberasturi Station, now privately owned. Before leaving the locality, we can stroll around the streets and contemplate some impressive mansions featuring coats of arms. About 2.5 km from a long, straight stretch through extensive fields of cereals, we come to a rest area and the Otazu halt. We can reach this small village by crossing the spectacular footbridge over the A-3104 road and the Santo Tomás river. We can also perceive the good taste of Alejandro Mendizábal, the chief engineer of the railway’s construction and father of the buildings of the Vasco Navarro Railway’s stations, in this cute station, whose building looks like a country house with a continuous balcony and porch.
We are now drawing close to Vitoria-Gasteiz, through the plain full of cereal fields, and there is no better way of doing so than by crossing one of the greenway’s most outstanding elements: the aesthetic and unique Olarambe footbridge, an outstanding engineering project at the service of cyclists and trekkers. This structure enables us to cross over the road to El Salvador, thereby avoiding a very dangerous crossroads. This landmark indicates that we are entering the capital of Álava via Puente Alto. Nearby is the ruinous engine shed, the only trace that remains of “El Trenico” in Vitoria-Gasteiz (km 76.1).
SECTION III. From Vitoria-Gasteiz to Puerto de Arlabán.
Km. 76
In the city, the former Vasco Navarro Railway line was swallowed up by urban growth. However, the old railway’s urban section has been placed by an exceptional route. An excellent network of cycle lanes (bidegorris) and the Green Ring Tour al Anillo Verde form a continuation of the greenway through the capital of Álava. Vitoria-Gasteiz boasts –and rightly so– of being a model green, sustainable and bike-friendly city, which made it worthy of being named the European Green Capital in 2012. If you take the Green Ring Tour in the east of the city, you will pass through the parks of Olarizu, Las Neveras and Salburua as far as Zadorra Gamarra.
The starting point of this final section is located in the north periphery of the city, specifically in the east carpark of Gamarra Park. A sign marks the beginning of this section, whose first 4 km have an asphalt surface as it goes through the agricultural landscape of the Llanada Alavesa region. Rising up before us, dominating all the perspectives, are Sierra de Elgea mountains.
We begin by crossing a concrete bridge over the fast-flowing Zadorra river, then another footbridge and an underpass below the Autovía del Norte (A-1) dual carriageway. It is worth mentioning that the Zadorra river is the source of the Basque Country’s water reserve, a system of reservoirs located at its headwaters. Shortly after passing the Gamarra Menor neighbourhood, the greenway goes under an impressive viaduct on the AVE (high-speed) railway line.
The following landmark is Durana Station (km 83,4), which is now a cycling-themed steakhouse. The greenway follows a straight line as it passes by Retana-Erreteana and its old station. On leaving the locality, there is the possibility of linking up with another cycling itinerary that heads eastwards towards the Ullibarri-Gamboa Reservoir, a wetland featuring great biodiversity. A cycling trip around the reservoir or the Grand Cycling Tour around Álava Plain (112 km) are some other great options near Vitoria-Gasteiz.
But let us continue… The level-crossing at the entrance to the Amarita neighbourhood (km 85.4) marks the end of the asphalt and the beginning of the compacted-dirt section. In the surroundings, there is a small oak grove beside the Zadorra river, which gives rise to a micro-forest featuring great biodiversity. After passing under the high-speed railway line and the AP-1 dual carriageway (km 87,3), the terrain becomes more rugged where it passes by Arzamendi Palace and at a certain distance from the village of Luko. We pass by Urbina (km 88.9) and its station, whose passenger building is now a private home.
From Urbina to Villareal Station (Legutiano), the high-speed train works have altered the original route of the Vasco Navarro Railway. The alternative route redirects us along the Camino de Bagoeta, a signposted asphalt road with little traffic, enabling us to pass under the AVE (high-speed) railway line and taking us back to the original route at Villarreal Station (now called Legutiano), which has sadly been abandoned.
We leave the Llanada Alavesa region and head towards the Sierra de Elgea foothills, where the Santiagolarra oak grove stands out. Surrounded by trees, the greenway arrives at Land Station (km 93.1), whose passenger building has been restored as a social centre. Immediately afterwards, we come to a leve,-crossing on the A-3002 road. The surroundings of this locality feature one of the route’s most attractive landscapes, since it passes just a few metres away from the end of Ullibarri-Gamboa Reservoir, a beautiful leisure spot with swimming areas, a children’s playground, carpark and restaurants.
The greenway continues along a very attractive section beside the Arlabán stream, penetrating the forest of beech trees, oaks and alders in the Isuskitza and Usokoaitzu hills, which form part of Sierra de Elgea. A kilometre further along, the greenway ends at the muga (border) between Álava and Gipuzkoa, although the dirt trail continues for another kilometre, as far as the restaurant dominating the Arlabán pass (km 96) in the Gipuzkoa municipality of Leintz Gatzaga, located in the former station of Salinas de Léniz/Leintz Gatzaga at km 19.1 of the GI-627 road.
Those who want to link up, from here, with the section of the greenway that runs through the province of Gipuzkoa as far as Bergara and Oñati, should know that they will have to travel 8.7 km along the GI-627 road, including some steep hills, to Eskoriatza, since several impassable tunnels prevent the continuation of the greenway. Until this section has been restored (the sooner the better!), we will have to decide whether to continue along the road or overlook this section of road and link up with the greenway in Eskoriatza (See Vasco Navarro Railway Greenway - Gipuzkoa Section).
Photo: Railway Historical Archive of the Madrid Railway Museum (KOCH , ALBERTO SCHOMMER)
The Vasco Navarro Railway route ran from Estella-Lizarra Station in Navarre to Mekolalde Station in Gipuzkoa, via Vitoria-Gasteiz. In Mekolalde, it linked up with the Maltzaga-Zumárraga railway line, which belonged to the Ferrocarriles Vascongados company. Its construction was extremely difficult: the first concession dates from 1882, but the line was not fully opened until 45 years later, in 1927. The initial construction was carried out by an unmistakably British company, as its very name makes clear: The Anglo Vasco Navarro Railway Company Limited.
The first section, opened in 1889, covered the north of the Áalva plain, extending from Vitoria-Gasteiz and penetrating the valley of El Deba, in the Gipuzkoa town of Leintz-Gaztaga (Salinas de Léniz in Spanish). In 1903, the Spanish State confiscated the opened section and built the remaining ones.
Between 1915 and 1919, the Gipuzkoa sections of the railway were successively opened, but the one we are dealing with took eight years to build, becoming operational in 1927. In the meantime, the Oñate branch line was opened in 1923 and, finally, in 1948, the Estíbaliz branch line, amounting to a total of 139 km for the entire route.
The Vitoria-Estella section was electrified in 1929, but it started losing money in the fifties. New Year’s Eve in 1967 was also the last evening of this modest railway line, which, shortly after its closure, was dismantled and its viable rolling stock distributed throughout Spain.
The Vasco Navarro railway, known as “Trenico”, linked the provinces of Gupuzkoa, Álava and Navarra. Today, it is a long and attractive greenway of more than 90 km that runs between the port of Arlabán (border between Álava and Gipuzkoa) passes through the Basque capital Vitoria-Gasteiz and continues through the Llanada and Montaña Alavesa to the Jacobean town of Estella.
DVD about the Vasco Navarro Railway
Greenways of Navarre
Navarre has 5 greenways totalling more than 120 km.
Feel the "Navarre effect" through these railways of yesteryear.
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