Viaducts and Tunnels on the Plazaola Greenway
Explore great railway engineering works for a small, old train between Gipuzkoa and Navarre.
Plazaola viaducts and tunnels
Accompany us to become acquainted with railway engineering works for a small, narrow-gauge train, whose railway line has now been converted into a Greenway.
Auzokalte viaduct from the bottom of the valleyOriginal Source: Andoain Town Council
From the bottom of the valley, Auzokalte Viaduct over the Ubane stream, a tributary of the Leitzaran, is one of the greenway’s main railway engineering works. In 2007, Andoain Town Council proceeded to repair it, reinforcing its concrete structure and railings.
Masonry Viaducts (2007-05-11)Spanish Railways Foundation
One of this greenway’s attractions is soaring above rivers and ravines, thanks to the tall masonry viaducts throughout the old railway line. The views from these railway engineering works are spectacular.
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Auzokalte Viaduct in 360º
Enjoy panoramic views of this viaduct. A grand bridge 110 metres long and 25 metres high, with seven spans and six pillars, which originally featured iron latticework.
Plazaola tunnels 2 (2007-04-29)Original Source: Nasuvinsa, Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda S.A.
One of this greenway’s attractions is soaring above rivers and ravines by means of high masonry viaducts throughout the old railway line. The views from these railway engineering works are spectacular.
Ameraun aqueduct and cyclists (2007-02-14)Spanish Railways Foundation
The passing of cyclists under this impressive, stone hydraulic project is evocative. The aqueduct of the Ameraun power station’s canal crosses the Leitzaran Valley in Gipuzkoa perpendicularly, leaving the railway line under one of its stone arches.
Illuminated tunnels (2007-10-19)Spanish Railways Foundation
One of the greenways’ features is lighting in long tunnels and in curved-shaped ones. The safety and comfort of those travelling along them is one of the maxims of these non-motor-vehicle infrastructures.
Uitzi Tunnel, the longest of the Greeways in Europe (2017-05-25)Original Source: Durango MTB
The 2,700-long Uitzi Tunnel is the longest one throughout the Plazaola Greenway, and also the longest of all European greenways. It marks the dividing line between the Mediterranean and Cantabrian basins. Although it has lighting, it is advisable to also use your bike lights or torches.
Overpasses of roads (2015-08-04)Spanish Railways Foundation
There are several road bridges made of stone that pass over the Plazaola railway. The trenches preceding them, which are now covered with vegetation, and the bridges themselves are interesting aesthetic features along the route.
Tunnel and reflections (2021-04-13)Original Source: Nasuvinsa, Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda S.A.
A prize-winning picture in the recent European photography project called Trailgazers. A tunnel in the Navarre section of the Plazaola Greenway in which the gallery’s vault is reflected in some water on the ground.
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Gulina Viaduct in 360º
Enjoy panoramic views of this viaduct, as well as the surrounding area featuring the Zaldua and Murubi peaks in the Sarobe mountains.
Gulina viaduct (2020-06-02)Original Source: Nasuvinsa, Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda S.A.
In addition to Uitzi Tunnel, the biggest project on the Plazaola Greenway, in the Navarre section, is Gulina Viaduct in Iza. With a length of 185 metres and a height of 13 metres, it is the longest bridge throughout the route.
New structures for the greenway (2013-09-23)Original Source: Nasuvinsa, Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda S.A.
The restoration of the old railway lines also features new design elements. A new walkway in Latasa, supported by the old bridge’s original pillars, bearing the identifying colours of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and Food’s Nature Trails Programme.
Leitza station (2018-05-06)Original Source: Nasuvinsa, Navarra de Suelo y Vivienda S.A.
Would you like more information?
Discover the Plazaola Greenway’s stations in this exhibition.
This exhibition was made possible thanks to the TrailGazers project. It is funded by the Navarre Government’s Directorate General for Tourism, Commerce and Consumption, Nasuvinsa, Basquetour, Gipuzkoa Provincial Council and Plazaola Tourist Consortium. It forms part of the “Plazaola Digital” project, organised by the Spanish Railway Foundation (FFE).
All pictures and videos have been provided by Nasuvinsa, Navarre Government, Andoain Town Council and FFE. The 360o recordings form part of the “Plazaola Digital” project.
We would also like to thank Xabier Cabezón for his inspiring website web www.leitzaran.net (CC-BY-NC-SA).
More information: visitnavarra.es / turismo.euskadi.eus / plazaola.org / trailgazers.eu / viasverdes.com / navarra.viasverdes.com
#VVPlazaolaDigital
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