Hidden Rail Gem: The Núria Rack Railway in Spain
The highly scenic Núria Rack Railway in Spain is a relatively unknown but fun mountain train that winds its way into the Pyrenees.
It’s somewhat of a hidden rail gem, as unlike the more famous cog railways in countries like Switzerland, the Núria Rack Railway isn’t as well known internationally.
However, the views are just as spectacular, and the ride is just as fun.
View from one of the trains of the Núria Rack Railway. ©AndyBTravels
About the Núria Rack Railway
The Núria Rack Railway starts at Ribes-Enllaç railway station in Ribes de Freser, in the Ripollès comarca of Girona province in the Spanish region of Catalonia.
From Ribes, this railway line climbs all the way up the Vall de Núria, a mountain valley in the Pyrenees.
After 12.5 kilometres (7.8 miles), this narrow-gauge rack railway line terminates at Núria station, home to a famous shrine and ski resort.
Narrow-gauge train at Ribes station. ©AndyBTravels
The train journey from Ribes to Núria
Ribes is a station on the R3 Rodalies commuter rail line linking Barcelona with Vic, Ripoll, Puigcerdà and Latour-de-Carol.
It is therefore very easy to reach the starting point of the Núria Rack Railway by train from Barcelona and other places in Catalonia.
From Ribes, the rack railway climbs up into the mountains, with the line reaching a maximum gradient of 15%.
The views from the train over the mountains, forests and deep blue lakes of the Pyrenees are superb.
The intermediate station of Queralbs marks the point in the valley where the road ends, as the higher reaches of the Núria Valley are accessible only by the cog railway and mule tracks.
This is also what makes the railway line special, as you can only reach its final destination of Núria by train or on foot, giving it a truly remote feel.
Stop at Queralbs station. This is as high as the roads go in this mountain valley, with only the rack railway and some mule tracks continuing higher. ©AndyBTravels
Narrow-gauge train climbing towards Núria station. ©AndyBTravels
Conclusion
It’s well worth the effort to come all the way to Spain to experience the Núria Rack Railway.
This scenic narrow-gauge railway runs between Ribes and Núria, offering great views over the Pyrenees and bringing you to a ski resort that can only be reached by train or on foot, as there are no roads leading there.
As the starting point of the journey is within easy reach of Barcelona by commuter train, the Núria Rack Railway makes for a fun day trip for anyone visiting Catalonia.
Read about other hidden rail gems
Check out my Hidden Rail Gems page, where I list many other relatively unknown railway lines that offer fantastic scenery and make for a fun train travel adventure.
