Description
A 20 km bike route to the sanctuary of the Mare de Déu de la Fontcalda, an essential stop whether you come down from Bot or Horta de Sant Joan, or up from Benifallet or Tortosa.
An ideal spot that, besides a well-earned rest, lets us visit the sanctuary dedicated to its Virgin, in a marvellous setting right beside the silent, transparent Canaletes river, which plays and runs gently, hemmed in by mountains. Besides the lovely grounds surrounding the sanctuary, you should take a leisurely stroll along the stream that flows down from the Ports, its crystal-clear waters caressing the rock and carving, over the centuries, gorges of capricious shapes.
If we set out from Benifallet station, the route is simple, flat and enchanting. The captivating power of nature grows as we go, until we reach the sanctuary. We recommend setting off in the morning, so as to arrive before midday, rest and have a relaxed lunch. Nap lovers can make the most of it afterwards. In the afternoon, wander along the little paths beside the Canaletes and enjoy the surroundings and their peace to the full… Hey! But remember you have to head back.
The only drawback is a slight, almost imperceptible gradient. But nature and the landscape reward us generously. We’ll enjoy the coolness of the tunnels, and soon cross the impetuous Riberola bridge, which lets us fly majestically over the Canaletes. We’ll move away from the river for a moment to pass through Pinell de Brai station, but we’ll soon meet it again, and it will accompany us all the way to the sanctuary. The name Fontcalda refers to a hot spring that wells up at the foot of the grounds, right next to the Canaletes.
These are mineral-medicinal waters that emerge at about 25 ºC. They contain calcium chloride and carbonate, magnesium sulphate and sodium chloride. They are believed to have been used for therapeutic purposes since ancient times.
Going to the Via Verda without visiting the Fontcalda is like going to Paris without seeing the Eiffel Tower, or going to Barcelona without strolling down the Ramblas.
*Important: the included equipment is an Orbea bike, helmet, light and a bag with tools for simple repairs.
*You can use the bike for as many hours as you like, up to 1 hour before nightfall.
*Please check availability if you also want a transfer to Horta de Sant Joan.
The Penyaflor via ferrata is a vertical route at the gateway to the Ports Natural Park.
Located between els Reguers and Alfara de Carles (two villages very close to Tortosa), it is an intense, recently extended via ferrata that makes it the most attractive in the Terres de l’Ebre. It is a fun, entertaining circular route with a bit of everything: rungs, walkways, handrails, chains, two Tibetan bridges…
The extension added about 100 more metres of equipped route: a new 15-metre Tibetan bridge at a height of 60 metres, a 30-metre aerial traverse along the rock face, and a 20-metre stretch of ladders climbing a gully, called the Escarrissons pass. In total there are now two Tibetan bridges and one walkway bridge. The difficulty and the route remain the same, since this section was done on foot and can be avoided if desired. The route across a series of terraces with great exposure is especially spectacular.
The 20-minute approach is itself a very interesting via ferrata, helping you make the most of your mountain day. It is usually a windy area, but the views once you’ve finished the ferrata give an idea of the contrast between the majestic Port massif and the Ebro valley.
The Penyaflor via ferrata is 1.43 km long in total and is rated K3 on the Hüsler scale.
We offer rental of energy absorber + harness + helmet for via ferratas at €20 / day.
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