Seven almost flat kilometres, a former railway line, a pink lagoon on one side and the smell of salt: the Vía Verde is the first ride we suggest to anyone who rents a bike from us. It suits a family outing, there is no climbing and no traffic, and it shows the landscape that kept Torrevieja alive for two centuries.
The route in brief
The Vía Verde follows the old Albatera-Torrevieja railway, built to carry salt down to the harbour. It starts at the Parque de la Estación, next to the salt industry interpretation centre, runs alongside the Laguna Rosa and ends at the Los Montesinos junction, seven kilometres further on. Allow around fifteen kilometres there and back on a wide compacted earth track with no cars. From our Torrevieja pick-up point at Playa de los Locos you join the track through the town centre, and there is not a single real climb on the whole route.
What you see along the way
The Laguna Salada de Torrevieja owes its pink tone to a very high concentration of salt and minerals. The colour is never quite the same twice: it shifts with the light, the wind and the season, which is what makes the ride worth repeating. The lagoon is part of the Lagunas de La Mata y Torrevieja natural park, one of the most important protected areas in the province of Alicante. Flamingos nest here, the pine woods of La Mata give the shade that is missing elsewhere, and the salt mountains of the salt works are visible from a distance.
Which bike to choose
The ground is flat, so a city bike is more than enough for the return trip. An e-bike makes sense in two cases: if you want to link the Vía Verde with a loop of the La Mata natural park in the same outing, or if you set off from our Orihuela Costa point at Cabo Roig, which is further away. The motor also changes everything on the way back, when the sea breeze picks up and the false flats suddenly make themselves felt.
Three things to sort before you go
Carry your water from the start: shade is scarce between the two ends and the track passes through no village. Ride early in the morning or late in the afternoon, when the light is better and the heat easier for much of the year. And stay on the marked paths inside the natural park: the lagoon is a protected site and the nesting areas are closed to visitors. A lock is useful if you plan to stop and walk up to a viewpoint.
Where to go next
If the Vía Verde leaves you wanting more, the natural sequel is a loop of the La Mata natural park on the inland tracks, then back along the beach. In half a day you will have seen the pink lagoon, the pine woods and the sea, which few coastal rides can offer. The tourist office also runs guided walks in the park, by prior booking, for anyone who wants to understand what they are looking at.
Every rental includes the bike, a helmet and a lock, from Torrevieja (Playa de los Locos) or Orihuela Costa (Cabo Roig). To pick your ride, see our city bikes and our electric bikes. Practical questions, rental length, deposit and minimum age, are gathered in the FAQ.
