Greenways of Extremadura

Would you like to walk, cycle and enjoy, at the same time, landscapes of great beauty, monuments and numerous species of birds? All this is possible on the four Greenways of Extremadura.

Greenways are a different and unique way to visit some of the best natural attractions in the region. Along with the many and varied cultural, heritage and gastronomic attractions, it will make your experience unforgettable.

Extremadura is home to unique birds and some in danger of extinction. There are 338 registered species and many of them breed here. 74% of the surface area of Extremadura is included in the Inventory of Important Areas for Birds in Spain. Greenways of Extremadura are a paradise for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

What are Greenways?

Greenways are old disused railway lines that have been refurbished and converted into trails suitable for all visitors due to their low difficulty level.

How many are there in Extremadura?

There are four: La Plata Greenway, Monfragüe Greenway, Vegas del Guadiana Greenway and La Jayona Greenway. Perfectly conditioned, safe and signposted routes totalling 170km.

La Plata Greenway

From Navalmoral de Béjar (Salamanca) to Plasencia (Cáceres)

It follows the old Astorga-Plasencia railway line, known as 'Ruta de la Plata'. It connects Navalmoral de Béjar, about 5 km from Béjar (Salamanca), and Plasencia (Cáceres). With 66 km, this Greenway is one of the longest in Spain, after the opening of the 23.8 km section between Jarilla and Plasencia in February 2023.

In Extremadura, it runs through several municipalities of the Ambroz Valley and Trasierra-Tierras de Granadilla, up to get to Plasencia.

We recommend you make a stop in Hervás to see its Jewish quarter, one of the best preserved in Spain, declared Historic-Artistic Site. Cobbled streets and typical mountain buildings made of chestnut wood, adobe and granite. Along with other emblematic buildings, such as the churches of San Juan Bautista and Santa María, from where you can see magnificent views of the valley, and the Dávila Palace where the Pérez Comendador-Leroux Museum is located.

Its landscapes of oaks and chestnut trees are spectacular, especially in autumn. In the old Iron Bridge, you will have an incredible panoramic view. Visit the old station converted into the Interpretation Center of the Extremadura Railway.

If you want to relax, you have El Salugral Spa, on the outskirts of Hervás, and Baños de Montemayor Spa, declared Asset of Cultural Interest, which preserves remains of Roman baths. Baños de Montemayor, in fact, has been declared Thermal Villa by the Regional Government of Extremadura.

Not far away is the Roman city of Cáparra and its famous quadrilateral arch (with four sides), unique in Spain.

Plasencia, strategically located just a step away from Valle del Jerte, Valle del Ambroz, La Vera and the Monfragüe National Park, boasts a great historical heritage. The two cathedrals (the old and the new), the churches, the convents, the palaces, the squares, the wall and the Jewish quarter make up its beautiful monumental complex.

Monfragüe Greenway

Malpartida de Plasencia (Cáceres)

Located in the province of Cáceres, its 17 kilometres run through the municipality of Malpartida de Plasencia, considered one of the gateways to the Monfragüe National Park and Biosphere Reserve. It follows the old Cáceres-Madrid railway line. The dehesas encompass a landscape of great biodiversity. It is one of the best conserved areas of Mediterranean forest on the Iberian Peninsula, ideal for appreciating nature and birdwatching. Some of the species you can see are the Black Vulture, Griffon Vulture, Golden Eagle, Bonelli’s Eagle, Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black Stork, White Stork and Eurasian Eagle-Owl.

To discover the environment up close, the Monfragüe National Park Interpretation Centre, the Biosphere Reserve and the South and North Visitors Centres in Torrejón el Rubio and Malpartida de Plasencia are all worth a visit.

If you also want to enjoy culture and heritage, close to Monfragüe you can visit Plasencia, Trujillo, Cáceres (World Heritage Site) and Cuacos de Yuste, home to the Monastery of Yuste, the retirement home of the Emperor Carlos V, declared Royal Site and National and European Heritage Site.

Vegas del Guadiana Greenway

From Villanueva de la Serena (Badajoz) to Logrosán (Cáceres)

At over 56 km, this Greenway runs through the provinces of Badajoz and Cáceres. Its route runs along the old disused railway line between Talavera de la Reina (Toledo) and Villanueva de la Serena (Badajoz).

This itinerary will take you to Villanueva de la Serena, Don Benito, Rena, Villar de Rena, El Torviscal, Palazuelo, Madrigalejo, Campo Lugar, Navalvillar de Pela and Logrosán.

The landscape runs through dehesas, wetlands, and protected natural spaces like the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark, part of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network and several Special Protection Areas for Birds.

Habitats for large numbers of birds and a birdwatcher’s paradise. In winter we can see large numbers of common crane.

Villanueva de la Serena is home to an interesting religious and civil heritage with the church of Nuestra Señora de la Asunción and the monastery of San Benito or Palacio Prioral.

History lovers will find a visit to Madrigalejo worthwhile. It was here that Kind Ferdinand II of Aragón died en route to Guadalupe in 1516. At the Casa de Santa María (National Monument and museum open to visit), the monarch drafted his final will and testament.

Near Logrosán is the Costanaza Mine Complex where you can find out all about the mining history of the area.

To find out more about the biodiversity of the environment, its worth visiting the Dehesa de Moheda Alta Interpretation Centre (Navalvillar de Pela), the Sierra de las Villuercas SPAB and Guadarranque Valley Interpretation Centre and the Villuercas-Ibores-Jara Geopark Visitors Centre, both in Cañamero.

You can explore the route on foot, in the saddle or even on horseback. It is also conditioned for persons with reduced mobility.

La Jayona Greenway

From Fuente del Arco to Azuaga (Badajoz)

La Jayona Greenway is in the south of the province of Badajoz, stretching 30km along the old Peñarroya-Fuente del Arco railway through the countryside of Campiña Sur. Beautiful dehesa landscapes, crop fields and olive groves.

It runs through Fuente del Arco, Reina, Valverde de Llerena, Berlanga and Azuaga.

It takes its name from the La Jayona mine and Natural Monument in Fuente del Arco, an old abandoned iron mine that is now a site of great geological interest full of flora and fauna and open to visitors. Nearby is the Virgen del Ara shrine, known as the 'Sistine Chapel of Extremadura', a gem of mudejar architecture with magnificent 17th century frescoes painted on the dome’s interior.

In Casas de Reina you’ll find the remains of the Roman city of Regina Turdulorum. It is an interesting complex that has been perfectly conserved, with a 1st century Roman forum and theatre.

In Azuaga, declared Historical Artistic Complex, you can visit several monuments including Miramontes castle, the churches of Nuestra Señora de la Merced and Cristo del Humilladero and above all the parish church of Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, the largest church in the province after the Cathedral of Badajoz, and a Site of Cultural Interest. Visit the Ethnographic Museum to find out what life was like in the past in the local area.

As well as Greenways, Extremadura is home to more than 2,000 kilometres of trails, paths and tracks, such as Nature Trails of Guadiana, Las Villuercas, the Tagus International and the Cáceres-Badajoz corridor, or short, long and medium routes like Vía de la Plata Trail that crosses the region north to south. Much of the trail follows the EuroVelo1 European Atlantic Coast Route, which runs 357 kilometres in Extremadura, organised into five stages.

Greenways brochure