Tortosa through the Greenway (Via Verde)

 The Greenway (Via verde)  of Terres de l'Ebre crosses the region of the Baix Ebre and Terra Alta, between what was Arnes station and the city of Tortosa, plowing the magnificent landscapes of the western slope of Transportation, the Canaletes river gorges and river of the Ebro. It covers a distance of 51.90 km, with a visit to the shrine of Fontcalda included, made in the direction proposed here has a downhill gradient of 450 m. The origin of the Greenway is based on the use of the old railroad route that linked the Puebla de Hijar Tortosa (Aragon village of Val de Zafar) with a distance of 110 km. The works of the railway began in 1882, but several difficulties have delayed its full operation for 60 years. He transported passengers and goods up in September 1973. The route has been restored to the proper movement of tarmac with the bike land, signage, lighting the tunnels and the installation of protection. The spectacular route must be added the attraction of which pass through 41 tunnels, some of considerable length (up to 750 m) and equipped with automatic lighting systems. From the northeast and center of the Principality, we head for the exits Arnes for 34 or 35 of the AP-7 (West Reus, Reus South), continue by road to Reus (10 km) take the N-420 Falset direction, Reus and Mora d´ Ebre (70 km of good road). From the west and south, must go to Waldo through C-12, Tortosa, Lleida, and the N-420. In Waldo, from the same population or 6 miles after the same N-420, will take the road up to 3531 TV-Bot, the T-334 to Horta de San Juan and the T-330 to Arnes (31 km). The population of Arnes, in the region of Terra Alta is located at 500 m in a place of great scenic beauty, poured on the altar of spectacular Els Ports Natural Park, where are the rocks of Benedict. Walking through his village, declared of Cultural Interest by the Government of Catalonia, you must pay attention to the magnificent City Hall building, the Renaissance style, the church of Santa Magdalena, Baroque, and several houses, arcades, doorways and corners of strong popular flavor medieval air. The starting point of the route is the old station Lledó-Arnes, Arnes located 5.5 km to the right of the 9 km road towards VTE-3303 Lledó. For a short stretch of dirt road leads to the station, where parked vehicles. The station can also be reached by bike along a trail that marked rises in the T-330, immediately across the access off Arnes (5 km; needed information about the flow of the river 'Algars that may have crossed his pants rolled up and barefoot). You must put the odometer to 0 and go to the east along the tarmac of the solid firm Greenway. Until the station Horta de Sant Joan route is flat and fast, although it passed the first long tunnel. At 2.1 miles you are at the station of Horta de Sant Joan. The population, elevated and 1 km south, dominates the area from a place. Have a wonderful and brilliant historical and monumental, but is especially known because it was here that Pablo Picasso, two of his successful return to Catalonia, synthesizing the principles of cubism in his paintings (1898 and 1909). This phase came to say: "All I know I learned in Horta. It follows the route. Now, front, stands the lofty mountains of Santa Barbara convent of San Salvador with the feet, another reason for the universal artist painting recreated. It surrounds the mountain, the route turns northeast and begins a slow decline that will last downhill to the banks of the Ebro. After spending seven tunnels, which considerably slows the march to reach 13.40 km Bot, agricultural town that has its origins in an Iberian settlement and the only town inhabited crossed directly in the first stage of the Itinerary. The course describes an almost closed circle to lose height and fitted in the river valley Canaletes of great beauty. We spend seven tunnels and two bridges over spectacular station Prat de Comte (village located 4 km from the road) and at km 19, is out of the sanctuary and spa Fontcalda belonging to the municipality of Waldo and on the other side of Canaletes in a corner of great beauty. We track down and cross the river just past the bridge are the pumps that provide hot water in the place name. Fontcalda is now a summer and holidays, with service Hostages weekends, vacation periods and holidays. The back section of the climb to put themselves back on the path of the road and continue down route. At km 18 there is a tunnel collapsed to be skirted by a court open to the left. The valley was Canaletes widening and landscape changes. Se in the municipality of the village of Pinell de Brai, which reached the station at km 23.80 of the tour, after more than seven tunnels from the spa Fontcalda. The Pinell is 6 km from the station on the N-230. In case of using the route in two stages, this is the most conveniently located for the collection of cyclists. The Milky Way was turning southeast and faces resolutely towards the valley of the Ebro. At 27.1 miles you pass the bridge Canaletes Riberola and entered in the Baix Ebre. The tunnels will happen very quickly, after thirteen station Pinell, when they have crossed 35. The route ends in a ledge on the river Ebro, which flows slowly across the road C-12, which will outline crosslinking, starting now, with the Greenway. The 34.5 km tunnel passes last tour (which makes forty-one!) And one is in front of the weir Xerta a dramatic decision of Arab origin that feeds the left and right channels of the Ebro. Built diagonally to the river, measured 310 meters from head to toe. Restored in 1149 by Ramon Berenguer IV after the conquest of Tortosa, did not end completely until 1411. A modern anvil on the right side of the magnum opus allows the passage of vessels plying the river. At 36.7 km you reach the station Xerta. Located in the center of a large meandering river Xerta has been a traditional steps of the Ebro for Chalupas and boats. Keep an old bill popular with a simple baroque church. Provisionally, the course of the Greenway has been cut by the ring road C-12. Therefore, the passage to be found inside the town from the station down the avenue of the same name, following straight on Calvary Street, turning right into San Martin, and shortly after to the left of the Rusiñol to the main square, where the church. Opposite, on the south side of the street Tortosa leads to a path that runs alongside the canal. On arrival at km 38 just before a picnic area with barbecues, turn right, pass under the road and on the other hand, goes back to the left again to reach route of the Via. The route now runs quietly among orchards and tree crops, following long straight stretches. You pass the village of Aldover (40.5 km) and 4 km below crosses the C-12 below. At km 46.3 the route, as in sight of Tortosa and the other side of the road from Cuatro Caminos, there is the recreational area of ​​El Raval de Jesus, the last resting place before entering the village Roquetes and Tortosa. The Milky Way, after crossing the first of these populations, already busy streets, describes a wide curve, looks at Tortosa and dies in the industrial district of Ferreries 51.90 km after the start. To enter Tortosa down the street to be right, cross the C-12 for ambulatory (attention to traffic!) And, as in the heart of Ferreries take, on the other side of the road, street Amposta towards the river and turn left into St Vincent Street Long Bridge to the level of the state, leading to the village from the capital of the Terres de l'Ebre. You can obtain information on the city routes of funds dedicated to the heritage and cultural offer of Tortosa. Notes The bus line Tortosa-Arnes-Beseit facilitates the return to the starting point for drivers who pick up the vehicles. The longest tunnels of the route have an automatic interior lighting. The poor condition of this equipment is supposed to have its own lighting systems for bicycles. Without this, the journey is endless tunnels to slow. Before leaving, we then find out the status of the Milky Way. Landmarks Bridge on the River Canaletes Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fontcalda City Arnes Tunnels of the Greenway Counties: Baix Ebre | Terra Alta Distance: 51.9 miles Gradient Ascent: 30.0 m Descent Altitude: 450.0 m Signage: Yes Duration: 6 hours Topics: Sports | Nature Types: Catalonia in ten proposals     Criteria of usage of these routes   See restaurants here See hotels here Source: Government of Catalonia. Directorate General of Tourism / Data Update: 24/03/2006 

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