# Ruta del Ferro i del Carbó Greenway, from Ripoll to Sant Joan de les Abadesses

What to do en Ripoll · Ripoll

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/things-to-do/iron-and-coal-greenway-ripoll · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Para quién: All ages; suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs as far as Sant Joan

A paved, almost flat greenway along the old mining railway, from Ripoll station to Sant Joan de les Abadesses: about 10 km, suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs.

What it is
The Ruta del Ferro i del Carbó greenway follows the line of the old mining railway that carried coal down from the Ogassa mines to the port and industry of Barcelona. The line was built by a mining company, passenger service opened in 1880 and it closed completely in 1985. Thirteen years later, the region turned the abandoned stretch into a greenway.
From Ripoll to Sant Joan de les Abadesses it is paved, almost flat and car-free: Ripoll Town Council counts it as 12 km of surfaced path, with about 100 m of ascent and low difficulty. You can do it on foot or by bike, and the stretch to Sant Joan is suitable for wheelchairs and adapted bikes, with Braille panels. It is free and self-guided.
The route step by step

Ripoll station. Beside the building stands locomotive 1006, on a plinth. Continue along carrer del Progrés and carrer del Ter to passeig de Sant Joan, which already runs over the old track.
Start of the greenway. It begins at a roundabout on the C-151 bypass, next to a statue of sardana dancers. The paved track leaves on the left, with an underpass a few metres on.
Torrent de les Carboneres. The track runs beside the road for a while and, about 500 m later, separates from it with a strip of grass. Look out for the old Renfe kilometre posts: they count from Barcelona and the first one marks km 108.
Meadows and woodland. You pass between meadows and small woods until you come out at the Ter, about 4 km from Ripoll.
The tunnel. Where the river and the hillside narrow, a 49 m false tunnel.
The iron bridge over the Ter, at about 6 km. It was adapted for vehicles: the railings are low and the service walkway no longer exists, so cross it with care and keep children by the hand. Just after it, an underpass avoids the road.
Embankments and views. The track rises above the road and crosses a couple of streams on high embankments. Look north, towards the Serra Cavallera.
Sant Joan de les Abadesses station, at about 10 km. The old warehouse houses a restaurant, and the complex has a hostel, bike hire and a play area. Cross the Ter by the Gothic bridge to climb up to the town and the monastery.
On to Toralles, about 2 km more up the Malatosca valley, crossing the Ogassa road twice, to the old ore loading bay.

Beyond: on to Ogassa
From Toralles it is about 4 km to Ogassa, on a stretch that never had a passenger train. It is harder: the slopes have been softened, but Vías Verdes only recommends it for cyclists and walkers in good shape. From Sant Joan there is also a 2 km extension to the Llaudet textile colony, which continues along the Pirinexus route towards Camprodon.
Getting there and back
The start is at Ripoll station, so you can arrive by train with your bike. If you are driving, park in Ripoll. For the return, retrace your route: since the way to Sant Joan climbs gradually, the way back is slightly downhill.
When to go
All year. In spring and autumn the Ter valley is greener and the temperature is kind. In summer, set off early. In winter it can be cold, with frost first thing in shaded spots.
With children and with a dog
It is the bike excursion for children in the area: tarmac, almost no climbing, no cars except at crossings and on the iron bridge, and a playground and food when you reach Sant Joan. It is fine for pushchairs, wheelchairs and small bikes. Dogs are allowed, on a lead, especially because of the cyclists.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Coordenadas: 42.1997, 2.1915

## Cerca de aquí

- [La Trobada Boutique Hotel](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/where-to-stay/la-trobada-boutique-hotel), a 27 m
- [A walk along the Ter from the Santa Maria colony, on the VORATER route](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/things-to-do/ter-river-walk-ripoll), a 100 m
- [Ripoll Ethnographic Museum and the Scriptorium](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/things-to-do/ripoll-ethnographic-museum), a 132 m
- [Santa Maria de Ripoll Monastery, portal and cloister](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/things-to-do/santa-maria-monastery-ripoll), a 175 m
- [Restaurant Reccapolis](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/where-to-eat/reccapolis), a 1.3 km
- [Sant Joan de les Abadesses Monastery and the Santíssim Misteri](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/things-to-do/sant-joan-de-les-abadesses-monastery), a 8.6 km
- [Núria Rack Railway, from Ribes de Freser up to the valley at 2,000 metres](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/things-to-do/nuria-rack-railway), a 11.8 km
- [Roca de la Creu via ferrata in Ribes de Freser, with a guide](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll/things-to-do/roca-de-la-creu-via-ferrata), a 11.9 km

## Consejos

### Set off from the station
Locomotive 1006 marks the start, and you can arrive by train with your bike.

### Eat in Sant Joan
The old station has a restaurant and a play area for a break.

### Visit the monastery
The one at Sant Joan de les Abadesses is a few minutes from the station, across the Gothic bridge.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### How many kilometres is the greenway from Ripoll to Sant Joan de les Abadesses?
About 10 km to Sant Joan station and 12 km of paved path to Toralles, with about 100 m of ascent.

### Can I do it with a pushchair or wheelchair?
Yes. The stretch from Ripoll to Sant Joan is paved and suitable for wheelchairs and adapted bikes.

### Can I hire bikes?
There is a bike hire point at the old station in Sant Joan de les Abadesses.

Destino: [Ripoll](https://www.geocalia.com/en/spain/catalonia/ripoll.md)