|
FEVE: Ferrocarriles (Españoles) de Via Estrecha and Euskotren |
 |
|
Running along the Costa Verde…the northern coast of Spain…is the most extensive (one metre) narrow-gauge railway network in Europe…at 1,192 km in length and with around 400 stations (Estaciónes) or other stops (Apeaderos). FEVE or the “Ferrocarriles (Españoles) de Via Estrecha” (literally: "Spanish Narrow-Gauge Railways”) is intertwined with the Camino del Norte, the Camino Viejo and the Camino do Mar and is frequently used by walkers, doing their caminos in several small sections, to get from major cities/airports/etc. to the start of their caminos or from the finish back. Similarly, others base themselves in a specific city, town or casa rural and use it, on a daily basis, to commute to the start of their next section of camino and then back from their finishing point at the end of the day. There is also a scandalous rumour that some use it to 'shorten' certain longer/harder stages; to transport themselves to decent accommodation from areas where little or none exists; to provide comfort and shelter when the weather’s atrocious; and/or to otherwise support them when they’re injured or worn out!!! ;-) Its western terminus is Ferrol, the start of the Camino Ingles, and it also intersects with a number of the North-South Caminos** connecting the Camino del Norte to the Camino Frances. For those wishing to start from the French border at Hendaye, going via Irun and San Sebastian to Bilbao, there's an additional 181km of the Basque-run narrow-gauge Euskotren system. The FEVERail card, especially for those used to paying UK prices, is phenomenally good value...for only €88.90*** you can travel anywhere on the system as far and as often as you want for 30 days. If you want or need even more time, 60 days of travel on FEVERail will only cost €146.40***. Alternatively, if you're more into travelling in style and money is no object, you might like to try Spain's oldest tourist train...the Spanish equivalent of the Orient Express - El Transcantabrico: Luxury and Classic....four, five and eight day packages are available from €1700-€5550*** per person!
FEVE: http://www.renfe.com/viajeros/feve/ Euskotren: http://www.euskotren.eus/ El Transcantabrico: http://www.renfe.com/trenesturisticos/eng/index.html * There is also a small section of FEVE in Murcia from Cartagena to Los Nietos. ** Including the Camino Vasco Interior, Camino Calzada de los Blendios, Camino Valle de Mena, Camino del Salvador, Camino Vadiniense and Camino Primitivo. *** Prices shown correct on 01/01/19 Click HERE for stations/stops in alphabetical order |