Vía Verde de la Sierra

Fundación Vía Verde de la Sierra

Antigua Casa del Guarda, Vía Verde de la Sierra | 11659 | Puerto Serrano, Cádiz

phone 956 136372 | fax 956 136357

www.fundacionviaverdedelasierra.com

hola The Vía Verde is what was part of the old railway line that would have joined Jerez and Almargen but was never operative. Work began in 1927 and was stopped during the Civil War. During the Dictatorship work progressed very slowly until it was finally abandoned. Some 36 km have been have been recovered and are ideal for rambling, cycling or horse riding.

The route crosses the municipal district of Olvera from east to west bordering on the Zaframagón nature reserve and crosses the Guadalporcún river by means of an immense viaduct to arrive at Olvera passing countless olive groves, small woods and areas Mediterranean vegetation or scrubland. The is marked out by a multitude of tunnels and various stations, with one of them being less than 1 km from Olvera and since being restored, is now a hostal and restaurant.

Zaframagón Crag

hola This is a 584 m high mountain within the municipal boundaries of Olvera and bordering with Sevilla. Made of limestone, and with steep sides, the rock is inhabited by one of the most important European colonies of Griffon vultures. Apart from other birds that live on the rock, this was the fundamental reason for declaring the area as a Nature Reserve and a Special Protection Bird Sanctuary.

Access is via the “Vía Verde”, a tourist route that follows the course of the old Jerez – Almargen railway line for 15 km from Olvera station, now a Hostel and Restaurant. The railway was never operative.

The Guadalpocún River majestically crosses the Crag along a rift or deep gorge cut by the river itself and called the “Estrechón” and serves to separate the counties of Cádiz and Sevilla.

Sierra De Lijar (Lijar Mountain Range)

hola Belonging to the Olvera and Algodonales municipal districts, it has an area of approximately 3,090 hectares. It appears like a huge limestone mass with a maximum height of 1,051 m at the Lijar peak.

We can enjoy numerous walks (El canalizo – Fuente de la Víbora, La Muela – El Canalizo.....), as well as the barbeques, tables and benches at the source of the river Ramos and an area of La Muela.

For the lovers of wild flowers, more than 700 varieties have been recorded in the area (Aparacio, 1982). Regarding the area’s wildlife there are a number of birds of prey such as the Griffon vulture, the short toed and Bonelli’s eagles and the eagle owl… Amongst the mammals are foxes, genets, badgers and the mountain goat as the star attraction. Amongst the reptiles we can find vipers, and a variety of snakes. There are an equal number of birds such as the thrush, jackdaw, and robin redbreasts amongst others.

Two of the most popular tourist attractions of the sierra are paragliding and hang gliding.