The Vía Verde del Aceite is the longest greenway in Andalusia, stretching for 127 km through olive groves, white villages, old railway tunnels and dramatic metal viaducts between Jaén and Córdoba.
Thanks to its gentle gradients and traffic-free route, it works just as well for experienced cyclists looking for a long-distance challenge as it does for casual riders wanting a relaxed day outdoors.
I’ve now experienced it both ways: first on a 130 km solo ride through the Subbética countryside, and later on a much shorter family route between Doña Mencía and Zuheros. Honestly, both were equally memorable for completely different reasons.
Whether you want a serious cycling adventure, an easy ride with children, or simply a scenic way to explore inland Andalusia at a slower pace, the Vía Verde del Aceite is one of the best outdoor experiences in the region.
What is the Vía Verde del Aceite?
The Vía Verde del Aceite is the longest greenway in Andalusia, following the route of a former railway line that once connected Jaén with the Genil River area near Puente Genil. Built in the late 1800´s the line transported goods and passengers until the 1969 when passenger activity ceased due to the poor condition of the tracks and the last section closed in 1984.
In 2001, the old railway was transformed into a safe and scenic route for walkers and cyclists.
Quick facts
- Length: 127 km
- Route: Jaén to Puente Genil
- Best for: Families, cyclists, walkers and nature lovers
- Surface: Mostly compact gravel and asphalt
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate depending on the distance of the section section. Gradients max out at 3%
- Highlights: 13 metal viaducts, tunnels, olive groves and beautiful white villages
The route passes through towns including Martos, Alcaudete, Luque, Baena, Zuheros, Doña Mencía, Cabra and Lucena.
One of the things we loved most is how varied it feels. One moment you’re cycling through peaceful olive landscapes, the next you’re crossing an old railway bridge with huge open views across the Subbética countryside.
An easy ride through the prettiest part of the Vía Verde del Aceite
If you only do one section of the Vía Verde del Aceite, make it this route between Doña Mencía and Zuheros.
This is easily one of the most scenic stretches of the entire greenway. It’s a 12 km ride that starts near the bike hire centre in Doña Mencía and takes in old railway viaducts, wide views across the olive groves and the beautiful hilltop village of Zuheros.
The ride itself is very relaxed. There are no difficult climbs, no technical sections and no cars. Just a wide, easy path with plenty of places to stop, take photos and enjoy the scenery.
We did the route with hired bikes and a child trailer for Zoe, while África, who was 7 at the time, rode her own bike, and it worked perfectly. But honestly, you don’t need to do it as a family for this section to be enjoyable. It’s simply a beautiful and very accessible ride through one of the prettiest landscapes in inland Andalusia.
The more serious cycling experience
A few months earlier, I had already got a head start. During Easter, I took on a much bigger challenge and cycled a large section of the Vía Verde del Aceite on my own. And I absolutely loved it.
Spring is when this route is at its very best. The colours are richer, the olive groves turn a deep vibrant green, and the edges of the path are lined with wildflowers. That day, I covered 120 km in total. A proper endurance effort, but one that felt rewarding every step of the way. One day I will go back and do the full ride to Jaen and back!
Bike hire
In Doña Mencía, you’ll find the Subbética Cycling Centre, which offers a range of bike hire options, including electric bikes and child trailers. This is where we hired our bikes and trailer, and the experience was excellent.
The location is ideal, right opposite the hotel where we stayed. The hire centre itself is really well set up, with a bar restaurant next door, and you can easily walk into the centre of Doña Mencía, which is well worth exploring.
Prices are quite reasonable. I’ve included a few examples below to give you an idea, but it’s always best to check directly for the latest rates and to ask whether booking ahead is recommended.
For example, children’s bikes start at €3.50 for one hour, €8 for half a day (4 hours), €12 for a full day, or €10 per day if you hire for several consecutive days.
Standard adult bikes (A range) cost €5 per hour, €13 for half a day, €18 for a full day, or €15 per day for multi-day hire. Higher-spec bikes are around €3 more.
Electric bikes are €8 per hour, €18 for half a day, €25 for a full day, or €21 per day for consecutive days.
Accessories are also available, including helmets (€1.50), baby seats (€3.50) and child trailers (€5).
If you fancy something a bit different, they also hire individual karts, chopper bikes and family pedal carts.
There are other bike hire points along the Vía Verde in the Córdoba area too, including Subbética Viva, Sportbike and Bicicletas Ureña.
Best time to go
Spring and autumn are without doubt the best times of year to enjoy the Vía Verde del Aceite. If I had to choose just one, I’d go for spring. The Andalusian countryside is absolutely spectacular at that time of year, with vibrant green olive groves, wildflowers along the paths and perfect temperatures for cycling.
Summer can be far too hot, especially in inland Andalusia. If summer is your only option, start your ride early in the morning and choose accommodation with a pool so you can spend the hottest part of the day cooling off and relaxing.
Winter can also be a good time to ride, but temperatures can be surprisingly cold, especially first thing in the morning, so make sure you wrap up well.
Where to stay along the Vía Verde del Aceite
Where you stay will naturally depend on which section of the route you’re planning to cycle. As I mentioned earlier, we started in Doña Mencía and chose to stay there overnight, which worked brilliantly for us.
Doña Mencía
We stayed at hotel Mencía Subbética, and the location couldn’t have been better. You can leave the car parked and walk straight to the cycling centre, where the Vía Verde begins, as well as into the town itself, which is worth exploring. The hotel also has a swimming pool, lovely views and its own restaurant, which makes it a great option if you come back tired after a long ride or want somewhere to cool off in summer. Prices are very reasonable, and the hotel feels modern and well kept.
Luque
apartamentos Los Castillarejos are another great option if you’d prefer to base yourself in Luque. They’re excellent value and have an infinity pool with spectacular countryside views.
Cabra
We’ve also stayed at Hotel Fuente las Piedras in Cabra, which is a fantastic family-friendly option. It’s a beautiful hotel with lovely gardens and a really nice pool.
Lucena
If you’d rather stay in a larger town, Edificio Lola 4 in Lucena is a strong option. These central apartments have a shared rooftop pool and excellent reviews.
Travelling by motorhome?
If you’re visiting by motorhome, the Subbética is very well set up for it, with several dedicated motorhome areas.
In Doña Mencía, right beside the cycling centre, there’s a motorhome area that looked very good when we visited. Prices were around €4 per day, with electricity available at weekends for €10 and showers for €1.20. Reservations are made through the cycling centre.
We also spotted the motorhome area in Lucena, which is free to use. It’s next to Parque Europa, close to the Vía Verde, and within walking distance of several restaurants.
Access and parking
There are several convenient parking areas along the route, many located beside the old railway stations that have now been adapted as access points for the Vía Verde.
For most visitors, Doña Mencía is the best place to start. It has a large parking area, the cycling centre for bike hire, and useful nearby services including water fountains, restaurants and accommodation. It’s the most practical and easiest starting point, especially if this is your first visit.
Cabra, around the old station area (Zona estación), is another good option with parking and nearby services.
Lucena, near the former station (zona de la antigua estación), also works well as a starting point and offers similar facilities.
The main difference is that if you need to hire bikes, Doña Mencía is the most straightforward choice.
Final thoughts
The Vía Verde del Aceite is one of those routes that genuinely offers something for everyone, from families looking for an easy and safe outdoor adventure to keen cyclists ready to take on serious distances.
We’ve experienced it in two completely different ways, as a relaxed family day out and as a long solo cycling challenge, and both experiences left us wanting to come back for more.
If you’re travelling with children, shorter sections like Doña Mencía to Zuheros make a fantastic day out, combining gentle cycling, nature and rural Andalusian charm in one easy plan.
And if cycling is your thing, tackling the full route towards Jaén is a proper challenge and one that’s absolutely worth adding to your list. Looking for more places to explore in Cordoba? Check out Iznajar lovely town in the Subbetica region.
About the Authors:
This article was written by Lucía and Mike, the couple behind Andalusia Uncovered and the creators of Bloguera Viajera, one of Andalusia’s leading family travel websites, where we have spent years sharing our experiences exploring Spain and beyond.
Andalusia Uncovered grew from a simple idea: to create an English-language resource based on real experiences, not recycled travel advice. Every place we write about is somewhere we have personally visited, photographed and explored ourselves.
Lucía grew up in Spain and Mike moved here from England in 2010. Together, we have spent years discovering Andalusia’s cities, white villages, beaches, mountains and lesser-known corners, often with our two daughters in tow.
In a world increasingly filled with generic AI-generated content, we believe first-hand experience matters more than ever. Our aim is to provide honest recommendations, practical advice and genuine local insight to help you discover the real Andalusia for yourself.