Ruta de la Plata by bike: the two greenway sections you can ride now

The Ruta de la Plata is one of the great routes of the west of the peninsula: it follows the old Roman road that linked Mérida with Astorga and, later, the railway that ran down from Astorga to Plasencia. Riding the whole thing is a journey of weeks, on national roads, tracks and the odd dirt section. But you don't have to start there. Part of that railway is already a greenway, and it's the easiest and most relaxed way to ride the Ruta de la Plata by bike: no cars, gentle gradients and villages to stop in.

In this guide you'll find the two greenway sections of the Plata that bicis.net has traced and measured, what each one is like, how to combine them and what to check before you set off. The data comes from «Ciclismo en cifras», as of 11 November 2026.

The two greenway sections of the Plata at a glance

Both are linear, one-way and on a tarmac surface. One is a long, steady climb up the Ambroz valley, between Extremadura and Salamanca; the other is an almost flat ride on the outskirts of Salamanca.

To give you a sense of scale: of the 74 greenways bicis.net has published, the Casas del Monte to Béjar section is among the 25 longest. The province of Cáceres has 30 routes on the site, and 2 are greenways adding up to 56.6 km. In Salamanca, the Plata greenway is the only one in the province, with its 20.3 km.

Casas del Monte – Béjar: up the Ambroz valley

It's the most beautiful section and the one that looks most like what you picture when you think of the Ruta de la Plata. You set off from Casas del Monte, in the north of Cáceres, and climb the Ambroz valley along the old railway line, among chestnut and oak trees. You pass through Hervás and Baños de Montemayor, cross the Puerto de Béjar area and finish dropping down towards Béjar, already in Salamanca.

What the climb is like

It's 39 km with 529 m of elevation heading towards Béjar. It sounds like a lot, but it's spread out: the average gradient is 1.4% and the hardest kilometre doesn't go above 2.6%. It's a typical railway climb, with no hairpins or ramps, where you pick a comfortable gear and climb almost without noticing. The highest point is at 924 m.

Tips for this section

• Choose your direction. If you want the easy part, ride from Béjar to Casas del Monte: it's almost all downhill. If you'd rather work on the way out and enjoy the way back, climb from Casas del Monte and return the same way.
• Autumn is its moment. The Ambroz chestnut trees change colour and the temperature plays along. In summer, set off early.
• Stop in Hervás. It's halfway and a good place for a coffee and to refill your bottle.
• Don't count on the train. The line no longer runs: the nearest station in service is Plasencia. If you only ride one way, sort out the return by car or with someone to pick you up.

Carbajosa de la Sagrada – Alba de Tormes: the ride next to Salamanca

The other section is right on Salamanca's doorstep. It runs from Carbajosa de la Sagrada to Alba de Tormes: 20.3 km with just 129 m of elevation and a hardest kilometre of 2.5%. It's genuinely easy, it's tarmac and it even works on a road bike.

It's a good choice if you're riding with little ones, getting back on the bike or just fancy a short Sunday morning ride. When you reach Alba de Tormes you have the town and the river for a break before heading back.

How to combine the sections and extend the trip

The two sections aren't connected: between Béjar and Salamanca there's no greenway section measured on bicis.net yet. If you want to join them in a trip of several days, think of two separate stages with a car transfer or a linking stage on minor roads, which you'll need to plan carefully yourself.

Two ideas to get more out of it:

• A weekend in Béjar. On Saturday, the Ambroz greenway out and back. On Sunday, if your legs are up for it, the La Covatilla climb from Béjar, one of the area's climbs.
• With panniers. Greenways are perfect for your first taste of cycle touring: gentle gradients, no traffic and villages nearby. Pack light and try a short section first.

What to check before you set off

• The state of the path. Our tracks come from OpenStreetMap. Before you go, check each route's page and, if you can, the official greenway websites, in case of works or closed sections.
• Water. In the Ambroz there are fountains near the route, but don't set off without a bottle.
• Lights. Some greenways have tunnels: take front and rear lights.
• The weather. In the Sierra de Béjar it cools down quickly in autumn and winter. Take an extra layer.
• Sharing the path. You'll pass people walking and families. Ring your bell and keep your speed down.

If you want to compare with other greenways in Spain, Ciclismo en cifras has the list of the longest ones, with their km and elevation. Tracks © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Frequently asked questions

Can you ride the Ruta de la Plata by bike without traffic?

Only in part. The sections turned into greenway are separate from cars: bicis.net has measured 39 km between Casas del Monte and Béjar and 20.3 km between Carbajosa de la Sagrada and Alba de Tormes. The rest of the route runs on roads and tracks.

Is the Plata greenway between Casas del Monte and Béjar hard?

It's long rather than hard. It's 529 m of climbing spread over 39 km, with an average gradient of 1.4% and no kilometre above 2.6%. If you ride it from Béjar to Casas del Monte, it's almost all downhill.

What bike do I need for the Plata greenway?

Both sections are tarmac, so almost any bike will do: a city bike, hybrid, gravel or even a road bike. If you're carrying panniers, a bike with a rack is the most comfortable.

Is there a train back to the start?

No. The Ruta de la Plata line no longer has service on this section and the nearest active station to the Ambroz is Plasencia. The most practical thing is to ride out and back or leave a car at each end.

When is the best time to ride it?

Spring and autumn. In autumn, the chestnut trees of the Ambroz valley are at their best and temperatures are mild. In summer, go first thing in the morning.