CYCLING IN EL MATARRAÑA
QUIET ROADS TO CHARMING VILLAGES
The landscape of the Matarraña region invites the traveler to undertake some healthy activity, such as cycling. The area offers some spectacular routes such as the Vía Verde del Valle de Zafán (old railway route with sections of 25 to 50 km). — The Pedales de los Ports is another famous option, for confirmed cyclists, usually done in 4 daily stages, representing about 205 km with a lot of gradient, where riding is a real treat.
THE VIA VERDE
The Via Verde (Green Track) of the Val de Zafan runs through Southern Aragon starting in the province of Teruel, and winding through territories where Aragonese, Catalan and Valencian influences converge, making it a melting pot of customs, history and landscapes. The beginning of the Via Verde is located at the old Puebla de Híjar railroad station and the track ends at Tortosa, in Catalonia. We recommend 3 sections, which you can ride as a family, renting bicycles locally.
Recommended sections:
– Section 1 (from Cretas to Horta de Sant Joan) — A 10 km long section which takes a leisurely 1 hour and 45 minutes. This route is ideal for children. You will ride your bike along vineyards, olive and almond groves, and cross a bridge over an amazing swimming pool.
– Section 2 (from Cretas to Prat de Comte) — 22 kilometers in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. Ideal for families and children over 6 years. Once you have passed the old Horta de Sant Joan station, the landscape changes and you enter the Natural Park of the Ports de Beceit, with a plethora of forests, ravines, tunnels and bridges.
Download the Wikiloc Via Verde route from Cretas to Prat de Comte.
– Section 3 (from Cretas to Xerta) – A 41 km route, with a duration of 3,5 hours. This route is ideal for people who are avid cyclists. You will enter the Ports de Beceit (ravines, rivers, forests, tunnels and bridges), and cross them completely to reach after one last tunnel the Ebro Valley, where orange trees appear along the riverbank.
PANTANO DE PENA ROUTE
Built in 1930, The Pantano de Pena is one of the oldest water reservoirs in the province of Teruel. A dam was built to retain the waters of the Pena River in the valley between Valderrobres and Beceite, generating a reservoir with an area of 129 hectares and 22 hm3 in volume. The water is mostly used for agricultural purposes. There are several walks on foot, by bicycle or by car around the reservoir. In the summer one can rent pedal boats.
Download the Wikiloc route from Hotel Mas de la Costa to the Pena Reservoir
ROUTE OF THE NATURAL WATER POOLS (BECEITE)
Entering the town of Beceite, after passing the stone bridge, you will find the Font de la Rabosa. Water pools were formed here by the erosion of the Matarraña riverbed. You can bathe in the natural pool of fresh clean water. Alternatively, follow the signs to La Pesquera, a set of water pools, in a bucolic landscape along a little mountain brook.
Wikiloc Route from the Mas de la Costa Hotel in Valderrobres to the Font de la Rabosa, the Natural Water Pool and La Pesquera. Download route
