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Rail Bike Marvão, an unforgettable adventure!
Published on 10 March 2021
Portugal
Alentejo
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About this good practice
The old train stations of Beirã and Castelo de Vide, in Alto Alentejo, are waiting for families to give new life to rails that have seen so many stories pass through.
Rail Bike Marvão develops around the valorisation and promotion of nature tourism taking advantage of a disused railway line and the nature of a Natural Park (Serra de São Mamede).
Rail Bike Marvão intends to support the valorisation and increase of the tourism offer which contribute to the positioning of a region as a competitive.
In line with this, the project generates a new and innovative tourist product with a high potential, which contribute to the consolidation of the existing tourist activity and foster the emergence of new business initiatives that promote the creation of jobs that induce the settlement of local populations.
This is a physical activity, taking into account that bicycles have no engine. The route includes some areas with some inclination and all participants must cycle. Children must be at least 1,25 meters tall to be able to cycle. However, a car seat capable of carrying a child up to three years of age is also available.
While cycling, tourists can admire the landscape, while passing through cork oaks, oaks, streams, green fields and wildlife.
For that, the project also developed 2 cycle routes, adapted bikes inspired by other rail bikes in the world, support structures to the tourists such as the Train Spot Guesthouse in Marvão-Beirã station and a guide.
Rail Bike Marvão develops around the valorisation and promotion of nature tourism taking advantage of a disused railway line and the nature of a Natural Park (Serra de São Mamede).
Rail Bike Marvão intends to support the valorisation and increase of the tourism offer which contribute to the positioning of a region as a competitive.
In line with this, the project generates a new and innovative tourist product with a high potential, which contribute to the consolidation of the existing tourist activity and foster the emergence of new business initiatives that promote the creation of jobs that induce the settlement of local populations.
This is a physical activity, taking into account that bicycles have no engine. The route includes some areas with some inclination and all participants must cycle. Children must be at least 1,25 meters tall to be able to cycle. However, a car seat capable of carrying a child up to three years of age is also available.
While cycling, tourists can admire the landscape, while passing through cork oaks, oaks, streams, green fields and wildlife.
For that, the project also developed 2 cycle routes, adapted bikes inspired by other rail bikes in the world, support structures to the tourists such as the Train Spot Guesthouse in Marvão-Beirã station and a guide.
Resources needed
The development of the project was very time consuming and needed the support of 2 municipalities. External services in what regards communication and others were necessary. Also, human resources are necessary.
In terms of materials, these came from the USA and the costs was 30.000,00€ per route.
In terms of materials, these came from the USA and the costs was 30.000,00€ per route.
Evidence of success
The success of the initiative is so great that the interested ones must make the reservation in advance. In 2020 the number of annual visitors was 2000 and there are 2 routes available: The Bridge - this route takes 2h and a total of 15 kms. It starts from Marvão-Beirã station and ends at a 1930 railway bridge, 30 m above the ground. Castelo de Vide - it lasts 4h and has a total length of 32 km. It also starts at the Marvão-Beirã station and goes up to the historical station of Castelo de Vide.
Potential for learning or transfer
With six vehicles, Rail Bike Marvão takes tourists along a path that crosses Serra de São Mamede National Park - an area of environmental protection with great landscape interest. It is a potentially replicable initiative, in order to promote the enhancement of cultural and landscape heritage, while promoting the practice of physical exercise, and that can be performed by public or private entities. Since abandoned infrastructures can show a region history the valorization of these infrastructures are totally in line with the new tourism lines since it combines history and nature in inland regions which are full of history but are depopulated.
The implementation of this project involved 2 municipalities, which was fundamental, and contributed to the infrastructure of it with 2 routes that support a tourism niche based on “Ecotourism”.
The landscape, people, endogenous products contribute to the enrichment of the project.
The implementation of this project involved 2 municipalities, which was fundamental, and contributed to the infrastructure of it with 2 routes that support a tourism niche based on “Ecotourism”.
The landscape, people, endogenous products contribute to the enrichment of the project.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Rail Bike Marvão
Portugal
Alentejo
Contact
Project manager