Sierra de Alcaraz Greenway Nature Trail. Balazote - El Jardín Section

The usual starting point of this second stage of the Renacimiento Greenway Nature Trail is the Puente de Balazote bridge over the Mirón River, although due to the current works on the A-32 motorway, the starting points is provisionally located at the Balazote Rest Area., located just over 2 km from the town. This is a modern and accessible space, thanks to its paved areas and it also has benches, tables, bike racks and a bike repair station that might just come in handy for travellers who make the itinerary on two wheels.

Shortly after setting off, we reach the marker for kilometre 34, where the identifying stamp of this Renacimiento Greenway Nature Trail appears in the upper right-hand corner, which can be collected in the Nature Trails and Greenways Passport, which can be obtained from any of the participating organisations, creating a beautiful souvenir that will take you back to places visited along the Nature Trails Network travelled in the past.

The old route of the unfinished railway between Utiel (Valencia) and Baeza (Jaén) runs through the typical vegetation of Mediterranean scrubland, mostly located to the left of the route, and native riverside woodland together with plantations of poplar trees for timber production located on our right, on the banks of omnipresent El Jardín River.

The route faithfully follows the old railway line, turning south-west, at which point a junction of dirt tracks marks the beginning of a 773 metre-long section shared with vehicle traffic. A few metres further on, we cross Tunnel 1 El Cuco, the first railway tunnel of this Renacimiento Greenway Nature Trail. The tunnel is 150 metres long and has no interior lighting, so it's advisable to carry a torch. Shortly after exiting the tunnel a new dirt road junction marks the end of the section shared with motor vehicles.

After the kilometre 36 marker, the route temporarily leaves the old railway line veering to the right, reaching the El Jardín River between the cornfields, before crossing the river by a wooden footbridge with views of the river. After a left turn, the route continues to run parallel to the N-322 road. After another kilometre, you reach the sign indicating that you are about to face the toughest section of the stage, with 1,800 metres of steep uphill and downhill slopes.

After the first downhill and uphill ramp, dotted with beautiful specimens of holm oak (Quercus ilex), you reach a barn and the 38 kilometre marker before reaching the medieval Tower of Alvar Ruiz, today a private property, so a sight we can only admire from outside the fenced-off property.

A rapid descent culminates in a curve to the left, at which point we stop walking parallel to the N-322 road, looking once again for the El Jardín River, which we cross again over a wooden footbridge, and then immediately face the ascending ramp that culminates at the entrance to Tunnel 3 La Rambla, which is 105 metres long and also unlit. The second tunnel of the old railway line, located on a private property, is not accessible, so the route diverts from the railway line here.

Returning to the railway line and after passing through Tunnel 3, on the left we can see the remains of the Casas de Lázaro Castle on the crest of a hill. Further on, we leave the Venta de La Rambla area to the right and then cross the CM-313 road over an elegantly designed metal footbridge.

Passing kilometre marker 41, we reach an abandoned building that resembles guesthouse. Although this project was never finished, it’s something of an important landmark as it stands where the old La Rambla station once did.

Two kilometres further along the route, we reach Tunnel 4 Peña Bermeja I, 100 metres long, and then shortly after kilometre marker 44, the entrance to Tunnel 5 Peña Bermeja II, 310 metres long. Neither of these tunnels are equipped with interior lighting. The second of the two tunnels covers a left curve so it is completely dark in the middle so access without some class of torch is prohibited.

The N-322, never far away, with its numerous curves, contrasts with the old railway route, much more comfortable, which managed to circumvent the orography of these first foothills of the Sierra de Alcaraz thanks to the numerous tunnels, facilitating the rail transport of the time. Today, it's a delight for hikers and cycling tourists, making the passage through these tunnels a fully-fledged immersive experience.

The trail crosses the Mitras stream over a small railway bridge and enters the 330 metre-long Tunnel 6 Piscifactoría, also on curve. Its name refers to the fish farm located just at the exit. It is followed by Tunnel 7 Cruz del Abarquero, the longest tunnel on this stage at 540 metres long, and Tunnel 8 Zarzalejo, 265 metres long. It is important to remember that none of these tunnels is equipped with lighting within.

A new section shared with motor vehicles precedes leads us last tunnel of this second stage. After the 112 metre-long Tunnel 9 Bado, similarly devoid of interior lighting, the route opens up to the final section, flanked by the El Jardín River, the N-322 road and the mountains of the Sierra de Alcaraz.

The information panel located next to the entrance to the next tunnel, just past the kilometre 50 marker and the El Jardín rest area, fully equipped like the one in Balazote, marks the end of this second stage of the Renacimiento Greenway Nature Trail.