Petit Train Greenway - Spanish Green Ways Itineraries

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Petit Train Greenway

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The greenway linking Palamós and Palafrugell – called the Petit Train Route – is 6 km long. It runs along part of the old narrow-gauge railway line affectionately known as the “Petit Train,” which connected Palamós with Girona passing through La Bisbal d’Empordà.

It is now a delightful route for enjoying a tranquil trip and exploring Castell Beach, a surprising natural beauty spot on the Costa Brava.

This greenway was built by the Generalitat de Catalunya and Girona Provincial Council.

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Technical data

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CONDITIONED GREENWAY

Following the trail of a small train in the surroundings of the Costa Brava

LOCATION

Between Palamós and Palafrugell
GIRONA

Length: 6 km + section to Vall-llòbrega (500 m). Section to Castell Beach: 1 km and section to Mont-ras: 800 m

Users:

*Ramp 1%

Type of firm:

Compacted soil

Natural setting:

The special area of conservation Les Gavarres SCI is located nearby; virgin beach of Castell

Cultural heritage:

Iberian settlement on Castell Beach, fishermen’s huts and Fishing Museum in Palamós. Palafrugell features 3 nationally renowned heritage sites: Sant Sebastià Tower,Can Mario Tower and the Port Bo de Calella historic district. You can follow the “ruta dels americanos,” an itinerary featuring colonial-style architecture. Cork Museum

Infrastructure:

Greenway

How to ge there:

By bus. Companies SARFA and Teisa

By highway. Highway C-31, C-58, AP-7, C-35

Girona – Costa Brava airport. Ryanair buses link the airport with the Girona bus station

Connections:
Girona: 45 km till Palámos

Connection with other itineraries/Greenways:

12 km away is Sant Feliu de Guíxols, where it connects with the Carrilet Girona - Sant Feliu de Guíxols Greenway

More info in Guía de las Vías Verdes. Volumen Norte (2021). In Spanish. Editorial Anaya Touring.

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Description

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Km 0 / Km 6

The Petit Train Greenway is a short 6 km long route linking the localities of Palamós and Palafrugell. Part of the old railway line was buried by the road. However, the greenway section enables us to explore the same landscapes of El Empordanet that Josep Pla described and cross the agriculturally important Aubí plain, surrounded by the peaks of the Les Gavarres massif, with the Begur mountains in the background.

Built in 2009, it is easily accessible and passes through the localities of Vall-llòbrega and Mont-ras. Several turn-offs from the main route enable us to explore these localities. It is well signposted and very easy to walk as a family with children, as well as suitable for the disabled. You will find any service you need in the localities, tourist offices and Sant Joan de Palamós petrol station (Galp), at the start of the greenway.

Km. 0

The route begins in the north outskirts of the locality of Palamós. The exact spot is the roundabout right beside the cycle lane leading to La Fosca, which takes us to the start of the greenway after passing the aforementioned Galp petrol station (C-225 road, km 42).

While walking or cycling along the route we will come across several sections protected by a wooden fence and two curious single-arch bridges over the Riera de Aubi. The Petit Train Greenway surprises us with beautiful rural landscapes, which are attractive at any time of the year and far from any roads. If you want to do some exploring, the route features several turn-offs leading to Mont-ras, Vall-llòbrega or La Fosca Beach. We recommend them all!

Km. 6

However, you should not overlook the turn-off leading to the virgin beach of Castell, which takes you to the very shore (adapted bikes will find it a bit more difficult not to slide in the sand). There is also an access to La Fosca Beach, which is a little more urban but equally attractive. Finally, in Palafrugell you can tour the picturesque Cork Museum, visit the Cap Roig Gardens or relax on one of its famous beaches.

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Railway History

Photo: Historical Railway Archive of the

Railway Museum of Madrid (ROISIN, L.)

This greenway’s nickname comes from the so-called “Petit Train,” a steam tramway that linked the localities of the Baix Empordà, starting in Palamós, with the regional capital of Girona. Although this restored greenway section is 6 km long, the railway line had a total length of 49 km. It was given this affectionate nickname due to the small size of its coaches, compared to those of other railway lines. And like many tramways, a large part of its itinerary ran alongside the area’s network of local roads.

It formed part of the “Tranvía del Bajo Ampurdán” company, which promoted the concession of a steam tramway between the localities of Palamós and Flaçà, passing through Palafrugell and La Bisbal. This route was essential in order to connect the aforementioned localities to the MZA company’s Iberian-gauge line linking Flaçà with Girona and Barcelona, and with the French border at Portbou. Our narrow-gauge (750 mm) line started operating on March 23, 1887. Its trains transported passengers and freight, especially cork, which was exported from nearby plantations to beyond the Pyrenees.

The railway changed hands in 1905 when it was purchased by the Belgium-owned “Societe anonyme de chemins de feréconomiques en Catalogne,” being renamed shortly thereafter “Ferrocarriles Económicos de Cataluña.” In 1912, the company proposed extending its tracks from Flaçà to Girona, although the project was not completed until 1921. Near the capital, at Pont Major, these tracks joined another steam tramway, which ran as far as Lago de Banyoles.

In 1923, the railway line changed hands again, being operated by “Ferrocarriles Económicos Españoles”. However, the Spanish Civil War resulted in the line’s deterioration due to bombing and neglect. After the war, in 1941, along with many other narrow-gauge lines in Spain, it was incorporated by the state into “Explotación de Ferrocarriles.”

Although the line started operating again in 1942, it was closed not long thereafter, on March 1, 1952.

Fifty-seven years later, in March 2009, the Petit Train Greenway was opened, in the section between Palamós and Palafrugell.

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