The Yecla section of the Chicharra Greenway follows the trackbed of the old narrow-gauge railway, once linking Cieza, Jumilla, Yecla, Villena, and Alcoy. This section covers just under 9 km, starting in the town of Yecla. But before setting off in our route along this gorgeous greenway, it’s well worth taking time to discover Yecla itself and its rich cultural heritage.

 The highlights include the cave paintings at Cantos de la Visera and Cueva del Mediodía, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, located on Monte Arabí — which is also recognised as the first Natural Monument of the Region of Murcia. A visit here offers a fascinating immersion into both history and natural beauty before embarking on the Greenway adventure on Murcia soil.

And so, our adventure begins! Our journey along the Chicharra Greenway begins at the old railway station —the first landmark on this path. From there which we will follow, either on foot or on our bicycle, a 2.5 km section known as the “urban section” of the greenway. Along the way, there is a rest area and an information panel outlining the itinerary as well as the local tourism opportunities available to boost our travel experience.

The path ascends gently, first along Yecla’s streets and then on a cycle path beside the RM-425 road, which traces the former railway alignment. Along the way, old railway relics remind us of its past. Some of the original signal posts have been preserved, today silent witnesses that add great charm to the route. About a kilometre from the start we cross another railway element: a small bridge, restored a few years back to allow passage over the Cartagena 1 thoroughfare.

Shortly after, the Greenway leaves the urban stretch behind and requires us to carefully cross the busy N-344 road. On the other side, the path resumes its calm rhythm, leading to the peaceful spot of Casa del Hoyo, where a rest area invites us to pause. From here the landscape changes: the “rural section” begins. Nature takes over and becomes our quiet companion, offering an idyllic setting for walkers and cyclists who wish to make the most of the beauty of the area.

The route descends gently eastwards, crossing agricultural landscapes that are so typical of this greenway, with vast vineyards stretching across the horizon. At 5.5 km we reach another rest area at Los Marrañaos, once the site of a modest halt where trains would stop.

The route finally passes under the A-33 motorway (currently under construction), reaching its end in the picturesque setting of El Patojo, about 8.9 km from Yecla, where we started. Here is our latest rest area, accessible by a paved path from the RM-425. This last stretch is an ideal spot to relax and enjoy the countryside once they have completed this Greenway.

Yet for the more adventurous, the journey does not have to end here. The former railway continues into the province of Alicante, through the Alto Vinalopó region. Though unconditioned, the next 6.8 km are still perfectly walkable and will lead us to the historic halt of Las Virtudes —the starting point of the Xixarra Greenway. This onward section adds a further 16 km fo trail. This remarkable Greenway will take us through a picturesque landscape to the towns of Villena and, finally, Biar, where countless treasures await discovery: from Moorish castles to unique natural landmarks such as the ‘Biar Plane Tree,’ over 200 years old, among the thickest in Spain, and officially listed as a monumental tree of the Valencian Community.