The best running trails around Líjar

The villa of Cantoria, in the heart of the Almanzora Valley, combines a tranquil atmosphere with several points of interest such as the Church of Nuestra Señora del Carmen. Cantoria is also known for its artisanal tradition and for the marble workshops scattered throughout the area. The Almanzora River and its surroundings offer gentle trails and open views of the valley. With local cafes, quiet squares, and a relaxed pace, it is a good starting point for discovering the villages and routes of this stretch of the Almanzora.

The Vía Verde del Valle del Almanzora, on the stretch between Almanzora and Cantoria, offers a very accessible walk on a very flat gravel path, ideal for families and those looking for a quiet route. Along the way, you will find several picnic areas perfect for taking a break, although it's good to know that there is very little shade, so it's advisable to bring water and sunscreen. The trail follows the old railway line and runs through orchards, semi-arid landscapes, and open views of the river and valley.

Beautiful via Verde with many views

VIA VERDE DEL VALLE DE ALMONZORA is a spectacular route of a total of 98 km through the southeast of the peninsula between the highlands of Granada in the Baza area towards the district of Almendricos, already in the region of Murcia, and passes through the Almanzora Valley in Almería. A route that for decades crossed a railway line that transported tons of iron and other merchandise.

The towns of Fines and Olula del Río are an encounter with the culture of marble; figures and pieces of marble with inscriptions and inspiring phrases appear on the old railroad track. In Olula there is the famous giant head of a woman, on the other side of the road, you have to be careful not to pass it by. And nearby is the town of Macael for those interested in visiting the “white gold” quarries of the Almanzora Valley. Purchena is far from the road, it is a town with an Andalusian feel, with narrow streets with whitewashed facades at the foot of the remains of an old Muslim fortress from the Nasrid era. The railway continues to trace the slopes of the valley and cross seasonal boulevards over imposing stone bridges to the Tíjola station, which preserves a train engine from the glorious era of the mining railway and the railway buildings. The station is a bar with food service and a terrace on one of the platforms. In Los Canos there are remains of the old iron ore loading dock. The carts arrived loaded with material by aerial cables from the mining sites and by simple gravity they filled the train cars that were in the tunnels located under the loading dock.

It is a pity that this station, which was once one of the most important on the line, has not been maintained and restored. Even so, pedaling through here evokes the importance that the railway once had in the entire area.

80 m long tunnel which currently has lighting, is part of the itinerary of two trails.