Type: Invidual tour
Guidance: GPS
Cycling type: Leisure & Touring cycling
Difficulty level: 3/5
Luggage xfer: Included
This cycling trip takes you along one of the longest via verdes in Spain and continues past two beautiful cities: the lesser-known Écija and the historic city of Córdoba.
The Via Verde del Aceite is one of Spain’s longest greenways. At 120 km, it’s among the few Vias Verdes that stretch over 100 km. This journey goes beyond where the 3-day tour ends. From Puente Genil, you continue to Écija — a little-known yet beautiful city with its Palacio de Peñaflor and the stately Plaza España. The final day follows the shorter Via Verde de la Campiña, ending in Córdoba, one of the most historic cities in Spain..
The route — in southern Spain — crosses the inland of Andalucia, following the former railway line once used by the olive oil train (tren del aceite). And when you look around, it’s clear this isn’t about oil from the ground, but about olive oil — the real gold of this region. Between the starting point in Jaén and the finish in Córdoba, you’ll pass tens of thousands of olive trees. Along the way, you also ride through protected natural areas such as the Sierras Subbéticas Natural Park, and through beautiful historic towns like Zuheros, Lucena, Martos, and Écija.
The cycling route begins in Jaén. The daily stages are moderate, leaving plenty of time to stop and explore the towns and all the beauty the Via Verde del Aceite has to offer. The Via Verde is well maintained, and because you start in Jaén, you’ll be cycling more downhill than uphill. Though, to be fair, Vias Verdes are known for their gentle gradients. The many tunnels and viaducts along this route help to keep it that way.
Tour info: 7 days, 6 nights, 5 cycling days
Departure: daily, prices per person
There is also a shorter 3-day version of this tour. In that case, you cycle only the 120 km long Via Verde del Aceite, ending in Puente Genil.
| 2026 | |
| Package price | |
| Price per person, double room incl. breakfast (based on 2 travellers) |
€ 695 |
| Single room supplement | € 270 |
| Solo traveller supplement | € 125 |
| Optional extras | |
| Half board (breakfast + 2x dinner) | € 45 |
| Extra nights | |
| Extra night (from) | € 50 |
Rental bikes include a helmet, pannier, lock, and tire repair kit.
During your cycling holiday, you’ll stay in cozy accommodations ranging from charming inns to welcoming family-run hotels with two or three stars. Here, you won’t find cookie-cutter establishments but places full of character, offering a warm, personal atmosphere and unique touches that make you feel at home. Each location is carefully selected to ensure comfort and authentic hospitality. Rooms are en suite (your own bathroom).
You can expand each day for more information.
After arriving in Jaén, it’s pleasant to take some time to explore the city at an easy pace. In the centre, you’ll find the impressive cathedral rising high above the rooftops, and a little lower down, the Arab baths hidden in the cellars of an old palace. Wander through the narrow streets, find a shaded terrace, and take in the atmosphere of this city of olives.
After breakfast, you’ll be picked up from your hotel and taken to the starting point of the route. After receiving your travel documents and checking the bikes (if rented), the ride begins for real.
The first few kilometres are shared with local people who regularly use the Vía Verde. The pace is relaxed as you climb gently towards Torredelcampo. Before reaching Torredonjimeno (km 15.5), you’ll pass the first tunnel and two old viaducts. From here you can already see the next town, Martos, lying at the foot of a striking rock. Martos has one of the most beautiful historic centres in the region.
The route continues towards the Guadajoz river, passing the Salado viaduct, the Vado-Jaén station, and the spectacular Víboras viaduct (km 43).
You’re now close to Alcaudete, your overnight stop. Here there’s a short but steep climb from the Via Verde up to the town and your hotel.* The effort is worthwhile — Alcaudete has one of the best-preserved castles of the Knights of Calatrava, as well as traditional sweet factories and narrow, winding streets worth exploring.
*If you prefer, you can take the included minibus transfer to your hotel instead of cycling this last climb.
After leaving Alcaudete, you cycle past a lovely lagoon surrounded by olive groves: the Laguna Honda, a favourite spot for many bird species. Soon after, you leave the province of Jaén, crossing the Guadajoz river on a viaduct into the province of Córdoba.
You approach Luque station, where a restaurant now occupies the old building and a few train carriages still stand on display. Crossing a metal bridge, you reach Baena — the city of Extra Virgin Olive Oil — with its restored castle and traditional olive mills.
Further along the route, you’ll enjoy magnificent views: the hilltop castle of Zuheros, the canyon of the Bailón river, and the surrounding Sierras Subbéticas & Geopark. After passing Zuheros, it’s not far to Doña Mencía, the second overnight stop. From Zuheros, you can take a detour to the Cueva de los Murciélagos — the Cave of the Bats.
Your hotel here has a swimming pool for a refreshing dip, and the town itself is worth exploring. Don’t miss the charming Calle de las Flores or the wine museum, where you can taste the region’s renowned Montilla-Moriles wines and learn about their history.
The final day on the Via Verde begins as you say farewell to atmospheric Doña Mencía and head towards Cabra. The route passes trenches carved into the rock during the Civil War, through the Plantío tunnel, and over the La Sima viaduct before reaching Cabra station. Here, you can see the impressive steam locomotive that once powered the olive oil train.
You continue towards Lucena, shaded by rows of trees. Both Cabra and Lucena are worth short detours from the trail to visit their historic centres.
As the Via Verde del Aceite comes to an end, the olive groves gradually give way to the small vineyards of the D.O. Montilla-Moriles region. At the station of Las Navas del Selpillar, you’ll find an open-air museum dedicated to the local wine-growing culture. Soon after, you reach Puente Genil — the endpoint of the Via Verde and your cycling route.
Leaving Puente Genil, you quickly return to the quiet countryside of Andalucia, passing fields and endless lines of olive trees. Most of the route follows peaceful gravel paths and rural backroads. Some stretches have looser gravel, adding a bit of variety.
The ride ends in Écija, known as the “City of Towers,” with baroque church spires and palaces steeped in history. After a stroll through the old centre, a chilled tinto de verano on a shaded square tastes especially good.
The day begins with a final ride through Écija, as the sun paints the baroque towers in shades of orange and the scent of fresh bread fills the air.
Just outside town, you follow the peaceful Vía Verde de la Campiña, cycling between olive groves, grain fields, and sunflowers.
Gradually, the signs of Córdoba begin to appear — aqueducts, bridges, and the growing bustle of the city.
The Mezquita, with its endless rows of arches, marks the spiritual and visual heart of Córdoba.
After breakfast, you can continue your journey or spend another day exploring Córdoba on foot. Wander through the Jewish Quarter with its narrow lanes, visit the Mezquita and the Alcázar with its gardens full of orange trees. On a terrace by the river, enjoy one last taste of Andalucia.
The general frequently asked questions can be found on this page. Below are the frequently asked questions that specifically apply to this trip.
It was a wonderful cycling trip through the olive groves of Andalusia. Everything was great: good bikes, comfortable accommodation, friendly people, and above all being outdoors together and cycling through the beautiful landscape. Our family of six, with children aged between 9 and 17, enjoyed it very much. It definitely left us wanting more!
We enjoyed very much the biking, setup and everything around it✨
Just completed the three day Via verde de Aciete. Organised by Cycling Spain. What a wonderful experience we had riding through beautiful ancient Olive Groves, over centuries old bridges and through tunnels. Stayed in authentic Andalucien ancient towns in good accommodation with very friendly and helpful people. If you are after a well organised, authentic cycling trip through Southern Spain then this is the trip for you. Muchas Gracias.
We just came back from a wonderful 3 days on the Via verde del Aceite tour in Andalucia. The route itself was lovely, passing through olive groves on day one, then closer to rugged mountains and castles on day two, ending on day three with a gentle journey back down to the pickup point near Puente Genil. Along the way, we stopped at old station buildings now used as restaurants, lovely little towns off the tourist trails and crossed many bridges and aquaducts spanning high above the valley floors below. The hotels in Alcaudete and Dona Mencia organised by Cycling Spain were characterful and authentic. In Alcaudete our hotel was rustic (with a huge bedroom!) directly at the castle and a 5 minute walk from a lovely little square with cafe and restaurant options. Our hotel in Dona Mencia was more modern but very clean and comfortable, with stunning views of the mountains and valley around. We took advantage of the guided tour there which was memorable, including wine tasting and a walk along the “street of flowers” which was beautiful. A prime example of a local Spanish community working together to make something lovely to be enjoyed by older people in that area. The organisation, bikes, app and transfers provided by Cycling Spain and their partners were excellent. We had no significant issues over our 3 days and both of us agreed we would book with them in future.
We had a fantastic 4 day ride through the Via Verde de Aceite, organised through Cycling Spain. Thijs made sure that every part of our trip went off without a hitch, and the local partner (Francisco from Centro Cicloturista Subbetica) was extremely kind and helpful! The ride was beautiful, the bikes very well maintained, and the accommodation was perfect for us. I highly recommend Cycling Spain to anyone wanting to explore Spain via bike.
Just completed the three day Via verde de Aciete. Organised by Cycling Spain. What a wonderful experience we had riding through beautiful ancient Olive Groves, over centuries old bridges and through tunnels. Stayed in authentic Andalucien ancient towns in good accommodation with very friendly and helpful people. If you are after a well organised, authentic cycling trip through Southern Spain then this is the trip for you. Muchas Gracias.
Thank you, Thijs and Hans, for this fantastic and active experience in Andalusia! Everything was perfect: from the e-mountain bikes, luggage transport, the choice of hotels, and the route information. We were also very pleased that both the starting hotel in Jaén and the final hotel in Cordoba were within walking distance of the train/bus station. We extended the Via Verde del Aceite with the Via Verde de la Campiña to Cordoba. We enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to other cycling enthusiasts. We would love to return for our next cycling holiday in Spain. Best, Marjolein
We cycled the Via Verde Aceite on a mountain bike. A fantastic ride through the beautiful nature of Andalusia, with authentic villages to stop at and cozy terraces. The bikes were in excellent condition. It was very well organized from the Netherlands. Communication with the local bike rental company in Spain was sometimes a bit difficult, but we definitely recommend booking with “Cycling Spain.”
Our first cycling trip in Spain, and it left us wanting more. Thanks to this organization. Everything was perfectly arranged and communicated in advance. Good e-bikes, the beautiful routes of the Via Verde del Aceite, the punctual local partner—everything was very good.
We cycled the Via Verde del Aceite from February 1st to 5th on good rental bikes (hybrid trekking bikes). This route is well-marked. If we had any doubts, we used Ride with GPS. It’s a relaxed ride on gravel or paved paths. Over railway bridges, through tunnels, and so on, surrounded by thousands of olive trees. The first three days are a bit flat, and the last two days are downhill. Beautiful views! You can cycle the Via Verde del Aceite in 3 days. We opted for 5 days (25 to 32 km per day). This gave us the opportunity to explore the towns upon arrival. We had a great time! Excellent accommodations. Luggage transport was well-organized. Additional activities are available, including a tour of the Wine Museum in Doña Mencia. Charming and fun! I enjoyed a beautiful and enjoyable Via Verde del Aceite. Highly recommended! Cycling Spain, thank you for the organization and the pleasant and practical communication!
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