Arabí Mountain (first "Natural Monument" in the Region of Murcia). An agricultural landscape where the vineyards stand out.
Cultural heritage:
Cave paintings of Cantos de la Visera and Cueva del Mediodía (UNESCO heritage), the Roman site of Los Torrejones, the Islamic settlement of Hisn Yakka, the Cayetano de Mergelina Municipal Archaeological Museum, the Chapel and Camarín de la Vírgen de las Angustias, the Basilica de la Purísima, the church of Niño Jesús, the Concha Segura Theatre, the Casino Primitivo and the Bullring.
Infrastructure: 1 bridge.
Facilities:
Rest areas and signposting.
Accesses to the Greenway:
From the old railway station along an urban section reaching the RM-425 Yecla-Villena road. From the El Patojo spot on the border of the provincial boundary, going up towards Casa del Hoyo.
The Yecla section of the Chicharra Greenway follows the route of what was once the old Chicharra narrow-gauge railway, historically connecting Cieza with Jumilla, Yecla, Villena and Alcoy. This section covers some 9 kilometres and starts in the municipality of Yecla.
However, before embarking on our journey along this greenway, it is highly recommended that we do not miss the opportunity to explore Yecla and its rich history. The city surprises us with the cave paintings of Cantos de la Visera and the Cueva del Mediodía, both declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. These archaeological jewels are located on Mount Arabí, which also holds the honour of being the first "Natural Monument" in the Region of Murcia. This unique experience allows us to immerse ourselves in the history and natural beauty of the area before beginning our tour of the Murcian itinerary.
Km. 0
We start our exciting adventure! The first landmark is the old railway station and we walk and/or cycle along a 2.5 kilometre stretch that is known as the "urban section" of the greenway. We find a rest area and an information panel detailing the route as well as the tourist activities available to enrich our travel experience.
The route is uphill and takes us first through the streets of the city and then along the cycle lane next to the RM-425 road, which follows the old railway platform. We will see that along the route there are still some railway signposting panels that were used in the past and that nowadays represent a great attraction of the greenway. Approximately one kilometre from the start, we come across another railway element, a small bridge that was restored a few years ago to allow the crossing of the Travesía Cartagena 1.
Km. 3
At the end of the "urban section", we continue our route to a point where we must cross the N-344 road with caution. Once we have passed this point, we return to the route until we reach the beautiful spot of Casa del Hoyo, a welcoming rest area. From here, the "rural section" of the greenway begins, where nature takes centre stage and becomes a travelling companion, offering the user an idyllic space to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings to the full.
Km. 6
The route descends gently towards the east, crossing agricultural landscapes, very characteristic of the greenway due to its extensive vineyards. At 5.5 km from the start, there is a rest area in the Los Marrañaos area, the site of an old railway halt.
Km. 8,9
The greenway ends its route after passing under the A-33 motorway (currently under construction). The picturesque spot of El Patojo, located some 8.9 kilometres from the start of the route. This is the last rest area, which can be reached via a convenient tarmac road that starts from the RM-425 road. This last section offers users a perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of the area after completing their journey on the greenway.
From here, if we wish, we can continue along the old railway line into the beautiful Alto Vinalopó region of Alicante. The first section, which covers 6.8 kilometres, is not prepared, but it is perfectly passable. This section will take us to the historic halt of Las Virtudes, marking the beginning of the "Xixarra Greenway", a section that adds another 16 kilometres to the adventure. This spectacular greenway will lead us through picturesque scenery to the towns of Villena and, finally, Biar, where we will find endless treasures to discover (from castles of Arab origin to unique trees - "Plátano de Biar" which, at over 200 years old, is one of the thickest in Spain and is included in the list of monumental trees of the Valencian Community).
Of interest:
There is a new 55-kilometre ecotourism itinerary that starts at the old railway station in Yecla, passes through Jumilla and the monastery of Santa Ana and connects with the Chicharra Greenway (Cieza section), along which it would continue to the city of Cieza.
This itinerary runs along rural, dirt or asphalted roads, with minimal road traffic. Thus, with this connection, a 78-kilometre long cycle-pedestrian route is achieved, including almost 9 kilometres of the Chicharra Greenway (Yecla section) and 14 kilometres of the Chicharra Greenway (Cieza section). And as if that were not enough, this route forms part of the 'Camino de la Vera Cruz' pilgrimage route from Navarre to Caravaca de la Cruz.
Photo: ITREM (Tourism Institute of the Region of Murcia)
The origins of this railway line date back to 1884 and initially linked Villena and Alcoy with a branch line to Yecla (hence the name "VAY"). In 1889, the extension from Yecla to Jumilla was proposed, to facilitate wine exports, and in 1905 to Cieza, to link up with the Chinchilla - Cartagena line. Finally, in 1924 the "Compañía de los Ferrocarriles Secundarios del Sud de España" extended the line from Yecla to Cieza.
Its trains were known as "Chicharra" because of their outward appearance and the monotonous noise of the engines.
It was never a train of high standing, but rather an economic and popular train, which served to connect the fertile plain of Cieza, the high plateau and the north of the province of Alicante.
In 1965 the line was taken over by FEVE, but economic difficulties and competition from road transport led to its closure, as with an average speed of less than 15 km/h it could not compete with other modes of transport. On 1 July 1969 it made its last journey.
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CONDITIONED GREENWAY
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