Castilla y Leon information
Greenways of El Moncayo (Ólvega-Soria)
The "Mina Petra", situated on the La
Sierra hillside within the town of Ólvega in the province
of Soria is where the Greenway of El Moncayo route starts out
from. This was an old, abandoned mine which has now been converted
into a recreation area, and is occupied by a small artificial
lake.
A stretch of 4 kilometres starts here which, from Ólvega,
passing through Ágreda, totals a 29 kilometre route on
the old mining train track, which has been classified as a vía
verde.
Although the route is apt for the hiker and the cycling tourist, it should be pointed out that the conditions of the road surface have left several potholes that can only be truly appreciated by wheels. It is partly unapt and has quite a few stretches with ballast, in other words, layers of gravel or crushed stone, which used to be spread out on the railway levelling to tamp down and hold the sleepers in place. Some stretches coincide with RENFE rails, which obliges the cyclist to use parallel country paths.
The Moncayo scenery dominates the entire route where there is
no shortage of meadows, pastures, dense forests and moorland vegetation.
Also, the tourist will pass through the Ólvega station,
which is now in ruins, on the outskirts of the town, and the Ägreda
station which is in good condition.
This track passes through two of the five most important towns
in Soria, which enhances its cultural potential, as well as the
fact that one is in constant contact with nature. Ölvega is a
town located in a wide valley between the Madero and Moncayo mountain
ranges. It is one of the most prosperous towns in the province,
where there is a concentration of industrial activities. Its economy
is based on the meat, textile and automobile accessory industries.
As far as Ágreda is concerned, it stands out as a town
with great historic and monumental remains. It still has some
remains from the Arab culture and two doors from the Caliph era.
The religious buildings bear witness to the Christian peoples.
Source: Web server of Instituto de Turismo de España, TURESPAÑA.