Spanish Lapland

[Eziemnaik]

When it is all over I am planing a visit to the Spanish Montañas Vacias.
Part of the bigger Serranía Celtiberica it is of the least populated parts of Europe.
Less than two h away from Valencia, the place seems to be custom made for touring/bikepacking - great food, spectacular views, open spaces, little traffic and the x factor of seeing something that may very well cease to exist in 20 years
https://montanasvacias.com/
https://bikepacking.com/routes/montanas-vacias/

 

[Alex H]

Today's Guardian photo feature

https://www.theguardian.com/artandd...s-loneliest-people-joan-alvado-last-man-earth

 

[I like Skol]

the x factor of seeing something that may very well cease to exist in 20 years

Especially if everyone rushes to see it!

 

[Eziemnaik]

Especially if everyone rushes to see it!

I think the problem over there is the opposite. If nobody goes there communities die, towns become ghost towns and a part of our culture with it.

 

[matticus]

I thought I'd seen that article before ...
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2015/mar/26/the-spanish-region-as-deserted-as-siberia-in-pictures

 

[jay clock]

I cycled across Spain and there are loads of massively under populated places. 200+ houses and not a soul visible.

 

[Eziemnaik]

Part of this problem was obviously caused by concentration of economic opportunities on the coasts of the peninsula. There have been some voices the rise of remote work might revitalise these parts of the country. I guess we will see what happens in the aftermath of CV19

 

[matticus]

Here is a VERY loosely related story (from the other side of Spain):
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com...pain-stayed-immune-to-covid-19/as75030206.cms

 

[Eziemnaik]

Similar story happened in Setenil de Las Bodegas, a small town cut into the walls of a gorge. Mayor ordered all roads closed off with checkpoints on the barricades

 

[bitsandbobs]

Looks great. There's also Burally in Valencia province. Begins in Valencia and finishes in Castellon. You can find the route online.

 

[Crankarm]

Also same in rural areas of Italy.