Discover The Beauty Of Rocky Coastlines On Spain's New High-Speed Rail

Spain has inaugurated a long-awaited high-speed train route, marking the completion of the Pajares rail tunnel after two decades of construction.

The €4 billion project links Asturias to León, slashing travel time to Madrid by more than an hour. The centrepiece, the nearly 25 km Pajares Base Tunnel, ranks as Europe's seventh longest and is part of the 50 km Pajares Bypass between Asturias and León.

The bypass, incorporating 12 tunnels and 10 viaducts, spans the challenging Cantabrian Mountain Range. It aims to curb CO2 emissions by making land travel more appealing than air, catering to both passenger and freight traffic.

Projections suggest ticket sales reaching 1.25 million in the line's inaugural year, potentially revitalizing Asturias, renowned for its striking landscapes and traditional villages. The region's accessibility could attract adventure tourists seeking its lakes, mountains, and beaches.

The UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve of Las Ubiñas-La Mesa, housing rare fauna and ancient rock paintings, and the Picos de Europa National Park with its glacial Covadonga lakes, represent just some of Asturias's natural treasures.

The area’s culinary allure, with its expansive coastline and seafood-rich offerings, invites exploration. Sample fresh catches at fish auction houses in Llanes and Bustio, complementing your meal with DOP cider, a regional speciality. Gijon's annual Natural Cider Festival in August showcases this tradition.

This high-speed rail initiative aligns with Spain's broader commitment to enhancing its railway network, already the most extensive in Europe, second only to China worldwide. Future plans include new lines in Cantabria, the Basque Country, Extremadura, and Navarra, potentially reviving connections to Portugal.

Projects like the Pajares Bypass have received backing from the EU's post-COVID Recovery Plan, emphasizing sustainable and environmentally friendly infrastructure developments.

 

Source: euronews.com