Tuesday 23rd January 2018
The Vía Verde was our target today. Otherwise known as The Greenway of the Sea, it is a cycle and walking route which runs along the wild and natural coast between Oropesa del Mar and Benicàssim, where the Sierra de Oropesa range of hills meets the sea.
Having made enquiries at reception in our campsite, we were presented with a map, which indicated the beginning of the route in Oropesa del Mar.
Off we set and were instructed to look out for Tramontana as you make your way along the Playa De La Concha and this will take you to the start of the Vía Verde.
Sure enough our directions were correct and we found the signs for the Vía Verde. The beginning was an uphill climb, but not particularly steep and followed the present railway.
The Vía was once the old railway, so it is quite flat, apart from a couple of slight gradients, including the descent into Benicàssim, if you decide to cycle into the town.
It is about 5 ½ kilometres each way and enjoys views out to the Mediterranean on one side and rugged landscape on the other.
The route passes through deep cuttings in the rock, where the old railway used to travel, past the Puerto Deportivo.
and through a long lit tunnel.
As the route approaches Benicàssim, it is lined by trees and foliage and veers away from the coast, behind properties and the Avenue Barcelona.
We made the descent into the town and turned left under the railway bridge towards the promenade and the Paseo Pilar Coloma and another beautiful sandy beach.
The north side of the beach was lined with old villa style houses with front lawns, which somehow had stood the test of time and had not been redeveloped, yet.
The wide promenade was busy and there were numerous places to sit and enjoy the views or a picnic, which we did.
After lunch we cycled the remainder of the promenade, past the Torre de San Vicente and then turned around and headed back on the same route.
On one of our previous trips last year, we had come into Benicàssim from the south to check out a campsite in the town, but did not particularly enjoy the site or the town, and so had no desire to continue our cycle ride.
All in all we reckon the round trip from Camping Didota to Benicàssim was 28 kms.