LOCATION 

Between the Almendricos stop (district of Lorca) and the  A-7 Mediterranean motorway (district of Huércal-Overa). MURCIA and ALMERÍA.

The Greenway begins on the area near Almendricos Station, not on the junction of the current road and the old abandoned road to Guadix. There is 700 m of trail through which the train still runs between the official and the unofficial starting point. To connect the station and the junction, the Greenway has a track parallel to the active road, which bypasses the station behind the town of Almendricos. The trail is good, although it isn't as good as the railway line trail. In this case, it is shared with other vehicles and the Pelegrines riverbed has no bridge, so you need to use the steep (but short) ascending and descending ramps.

Go to the old Guadix railway platform where the two railway lines separated. On the left, the active road goes towards Águilas; to the right, a deep and long trench clearly identifies the old railway trail. The trench is the entry point to a long straight trail bordered by perfect rows of orange trees and solar panels. The walk through the plains is very pleasant in this green environment and may be perfumed with orange blossom or dotted with oranges, depending on the season.

The old trail borders theSierra de Enmedio mountain range. Esparto grass billows on towering peaks and hillsides marked with deep and colourful earthy scars. The trail navigates hills and riverbeds. The railroad solves them with trenches and high embankments that offer perfect viewpoints of ruined farmhouses, with old wells and forgotten cisterns. The railway elements include a false tunnel, a technical solution with soft walls that is curious because of the almost cylindrical gallery

The journey begins through the lands of Almería. The trail is long and straight over the arid plain planted with orchards and fruit trees, crossing successive riverbeds until it reaches Huércal-Overa (km 18.2). After passing through the urban area, the trail winds through the wild slopes of La Sierrecica, ending nearAlmajalejo village (km 23.5).

On the eastern side, where the Greenway presently begins at Almendricos Station, you could continue to the north, towards Lorca and Alcantarilla, where it was linked to the rest of the coastline. Although the full justification of this railroad is justified by the regional perspective. There was intense mining activity on the northern slopes of the Sierra de los Filabres mountain ranges. The iron from Las Menas and Bacares flowed generously by cable trolley to various stations and loading areas, especially around Serón.

This ore was taken to the El Hornillo loading dock in Águilas, now also recovered as a Greenway (See technical data sheet) where it was shipped to multiple national and foreign destinations. The complete itinerary between Guadix and Almendricos was developed by two companies. The first, of English capital, had the unmistakable Saxon name of 'The Great Southern of Spain Railway', and linked Baza with Lorca and Águilas in 1894. The section to Guadix was developed by 'Ferrocarril Guadix-Baza', a company linked to 'Ferrocarril del Sur de España'. The section was opened very late, in 1907.

Both companies maintained their independence until Renfe was created in 1941. Under this public brand, vigorous mining traffic thrived until, at the end of the 1960s, the mines were closed; the end of the line was written. The traffic was barely maintained, accumulating losses until it closed on 1 January 1985, along with hundreds of kilometres of other unprofitable Spanish lines.

For several years now, this line owned by Adif has been recovered as a Greenway in sections thanks to investments from the Murcia Region, the Ministry for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and several city councils.