Greenways
Greenways are communication infrastructures developed on unused railway sections and on nature paths, intended for non-motorized uses. Corridors for playing sports, walking and enjoying nature safely.
Cycle tourism map in Girona by Girona Greenways ConsortiumSpanish Railways Foundation
Greenways, Pirinexus and cycle routes
One aim of the Girona Greenways Consortium is to promote the use of bicycles and sustainable mobility. As such, over the course of these twenty years, the network of routes has expanded allowing you to travel around the territory with different objectives.
Girona´s Greenways
Little more than a minute to discover Girona’s Greenways and everything you can experience on them and in their surroundings. New possibilities in terms of active tourism, cycle tourism, hiking, nature, heritage and local products.
The Secrets of the Greenways
Discover the app that brings visitors closer to the heritage, culture and natural elements along the routes. Playing games, answering questions or finding hidden objects, the app serves as a guide.
1880-1984
The Railway Lines
Locomotive on the platform of Girona station by Girona City Council. CRDISpanish Railways Foundation
El Feliuet (Sant Feliu de Guíxols–Girona) was the first railway in Spain with a 75 cm track width (very narrow) that allowed sharp bends to be used and so avoid the construction of tunnels; the Olot train (Girona–Olot) had a 100 cm rail width in comparison.
‘El Feliuet’ in Sant Feliu de Guíxols by Girona City Council. CRDISpanish Railways Foundation
In Girona, the train was changed and the two Carrilet lines connected, which covered around 100 kilometres.
Tren d`Olot steam locomotive (1967/1968) by Ernest CostaSpanish Railways Foundation
In 1958, an agreement was signed between the two rail companies in order to reduce costs, but it was not possible to make the lines profitable, and they were closed in 1969.
Wagons at the entrance to the Ogassa coal mines by Xevi F. GüellSpanish Railways Foundation
The Ripoll–Sant Joan de les Abadesses–Carregador de Toralles train line was conceived to take advantage of the riches of the Ogassa mines and the iron of Ripoll. The Girona trains transported passengers and goods, and contributed to the economic development of the area.
1969-2003
From the Railway to the Greenways
Former railway station of Amer by Girona City Council. CRDISpanish Railways Foundation
With the dismantling of the railway lines, a period of uncertainty began. The councils bought the stations and some machines, and the track and bridges disappeared. Funding for proposals to recover the trains was never achieved.
‘Pedal party’, the 80s in Girona (1980) by Cots Dalmau, QuimSpanish Railways Foundation
Ecology came onto the political agenda, and the practice of cycle tourism and sports cycling was started. Between the 1970s and 1980s, several initiatives aimed to recover the routes as Greenways.
Hikers and cyclists on the Carrilet Olot - Girona Greenway by Girona Greenways ConsortiumSpanish Railways Foundation
If you prefer to listen than read, don't miss the podcast we have prepared about Girona's greenways. You will know all their stories, and the intrastory with the protagonists of yesterday and today.
2003-2023
Twenty Years of the Girona Greenways Consortium
Cyclists among eucalyptus trees on the Carrilet Greenway II by Stella RotgerSpanish Railways Foundation
The Girona Greenways Consortium is the local body that manages Girona’s Greenway routes; it was created in 2003 and is made up of the Diputació de Girona and the municipalities and county councils through which the routes pass.
Greenway in the Garrotxa region by Pere DuranSpanish Railways Foundation
The main task of the Consortium is to maintain and improve infrastructure, promote its use and expand the network.
Las Masías route by David RuedaSpanish Railways Foundation
The network of Greenways was initially 110 kilometres long, but is currently almost 200 kilometres long; additionally there is the Pirinexus cycling route, which is 340 kilometres long, and includes some Greenways, and around 150 kilometres of cycling, walking and running routes.
San Joan de les Abadesses railway station by Girona Greenways ConsortiumSpanish Railways Foundation
Along the Greenways you will find many renovated stations offering various services, such as accommodation, cafes or bike hire. Rest points for new travellers.
Accessibility on Girona's Greenways by Silvia MartySpanish Railways Foundation
Hand bikes are optimal for touring Girona’s Greenways. The railway routes have gentle gradients and wide curves, and are accessible for everyone, including people with disabilities.
‘Girona´s Greenways, more than 20 years connecting the territory’. by Girona Greenways ConsortiumSpanish Railways Foundation
Don’t miss the fascinating 20 Years of Greenways exhibition catalogue.
Download it here>>
Or even better: Come to Girona and enjoy it!
This exhibition has been made possible thanks to the collaboration of the Spanish Railways Foundation and the Girona Greenways Consortium. It is part of the 20 Years of Girona’s Greenways project, developed by the Consortium in collaboration with the Diputació de Girona and the Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat de Catalunya (FGC), with funding from the European NextGeneration Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan Fund of the Spanish Government.
All images, videos, podcasts and other materials have been provided by the Girona Greenways Consortium and Municipal Archive of Girona - CRDI.
We would also like to thank Quim Cots Dalmau for the image that illustrates slide 12.
Further information at: https://viesverdes.cat / https://viasverdes.com
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Would you like to know more about other virtual exhibitions concerning Greenways?
The Plazaola Greenway, Navarre-Basque Country
The Madrid Region's Greenways
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