FROM THE MOUNTAIN TO THE SEA BY BIKE… ZAFAN VALLEY ...ACROSS TWO NATURAL PARKS GREENWAY LOCATION ELS PORTS NATURAL PARK The Ports Massif is a zone consisting of a very complex relief, the transition between the Catalan Mediterranean & Iberia systems. Constituent of an orography orientated in a northeast & southeast direction, it extends to the territories of Aragon & Valencia. The Ports consist of a calcareous relief covering a large area of notable structural complexity, reaching great heights, with some peaks close to 1,500m of altitude. Karst forms, such as clints and dolines, are frequent in the high sectors. In the western sector, the main rivers have gouged out spectacular deep gorges. Els Ports is an area of special botanical and bio-geographical interest as it forms an essential bridge between the Iberian System and the Catalan coastal mountains, playing an important role in the European migratory routes and in particular during the quaternary climate changes. In regard to fauna, Els Ports represents a link between the Pyrenees and the southern Iberian System, with some endemic species, sheltering some very rare cave-dwelling species, very varied birdlife, and some peculiarly attractive mammals, such as the wild goat (Capra pyrenaica), one of the most important redoubts of this species in the Catalan lands. LOCATION DELTA DE L’EBRE NATURAL PARK The Ebre river is the most important rivers in the Iberian Peninsula. It is the biggest river by discharge volume. The Ebre Delta is one of the largest wetland areas (320 km²) in the western Mediterranean region. It has expanded rapidly on soils washed downriver—the historical rate of growth of the delta is demonstrated by the town of Amposta. A seaport in the 4th century, it is now located well inland from the current Ebre river mouth. The rounded form of the delta attests to the balance between sediment deposition by the Ebre and removal of this material by wave erosion. The modern delta is in intensive agricultural use for rice, fruit (in particular citrus), and vegetables. The Ebre Delta also has numerous beaches, marshes, and salt pans that provide habitat for over 300 species of birds. In 1983 Spain designated a large part of the delta as Ebro Delta Natural Park to protect the natural resources. A network of canals and irrigation ditches constructed by both agricultural and conservation groups are helping to maintain the ecologic and economic resources of the Ebro Delta. THE ZAFAN VALLEY GREEN WAY With approximately 170 kilometres, the Zafan Valley Greenway is definitely one of the tourist cycle paths with the most contrasting landscapes in the whole state. A route that takes us from the highlands of Aragon to the sea through two natural parks as spectacular and diverse as Els Ports and the Ebro Delta. Getting to Sant Carles de la Rapita, completing the original Zafan Valley railroad project or follow the GR99 from Tortosa to reach the mouth of the Ebro River, is just the beginning of a journey that will captivate you. EL RECORREGUT CYCLE TOURISM & GASTRONOMY IN A BISOSPHERE RESERVE Services BENIFALLET STATION ✓ gastronomic hotel committed to ✓ restaurant the local culture & ✓ accommodation rural guest house + hostal territory ✓ old cargo bay a space covering 70 m2 with natural light, sliding doors, a bar & furniture. ✓ auto repair shop & bike wash + showers & public services for cyclists. ✓ 6.000m2 of exterior spaces, distributed in different zones. ✓ information centre concerning the surrounds to help you design your own program. ✓ activities in the natural environment bicycle, canyoning, trekking, kayak, group activities... DISCOVER THE ZAFAN VALLEY GREENWAY SLOW Day 1: Arrival at Old Benifallet Station PROPOSAL Day 2: Puebla de Híjar – Alcañiz Day 3: Alcañiz – Old Cretes Station Day 4: Old Cretes Station – Old Benifallet Station Day 5: Old Benifallet Station – Amposta Day 6: Amposta – Sant Carles de La Ràpita Day 7: Return day ZAFAN VALLEY GREENWAY: puebla de híjar to sant carles de la ràpita / slow ride Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 OLD CRETES STATION – OLD OLD BENIFALLET STATION PUEBLA DE HÍJAR – ALCAÑIZ ALCAÑIZ – OLD CRETES STATION BENIFALLET STATION Location: Bajo Aragón-Matarraña Location: Terra Alta-Baix Ebre Location: Baix Ebre Location: Bajo Martín-Bajo Aragón Distance: 44km Distance: 35km Arrival & accommodation: Old Benifallet Distance: 33km Terrain: Dirt track & Asphalt Terrain: Asphalt Station Terrain: Dirt track Height gain: Light uphill & downhill stages Height gain: Light uphill & downhill stages Height gain: Downhill Accommodation: Parador de Alcañiz Accommodation: Old Cretes Station Accommodation: Ols Benifallet Station Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 RETURN DAY OLD BENIFALLET STATION - AMPOSTA AMPOSTA – SANT CARLES DE LA RÀPITA LEVEL Location: Baix Ebre-Montsià Distance: 41km Location: Montsià low Terrain: Asphalt & Dirt track Distance: 45km medium Height gain: Not noticeable Terrain: Asphalt & Dirt track Height gain: Not noticeable Accommodation: Hotel Ciutat d’Amposta high Accommodation: Hotel Juanito Platja DISCOVER THE ZAFAN VALLEY GREENWAY Day 1: Arrival at Old Benifallet Station ACTIVE Day 2: Puebla de Híjar – Alcañiz PROPOSAL Day 3: Alcañiz – Old Cretes Station Day 4: Cretes Station – Old Benifallet Station (ELS PORTS NATURAL PARK) Day 5: Old Benifallet Station – Deltebre Day 6: Deltebre – Poble Nou del Delta (DELTA DE L’EBRE NATURAL PARK) Day 7: Poble Nou – Sant Carles de la Ràpita (DELTA DE L’EBRE NATURAL PARK) Day 8: Return day ZAFAN VALLEY GREENWAY: puebla de híjar to sant carles de la ràpita / active ride Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 OLD BENIFALLET STATION PUEBLA DE HÍJAR – ALCAÑIZ ALCAÑIZ – OLD CRETES OLD CRETES STATION - OLD STATION BENIFALLET STATION Location: Bajo Aragón-Matarraña Location: Matarraña-Terra Alta Location: Baix Ebre Location: Bajo Martín-Bajo Aragón Distance: 44km Distance: 48km Arrival & accommodation: Old Benifallet Distance: 33km Terrain: Dirt track & Asphalt Terrain: Asphalt & Dirt track Station Terrain: Dirt track Height gain: Light uphill & downhill stages Height gain: Light uphill & downhill stages Height gain: Light uphill & downhill Accommodation: Parador de Alcañiz Accommodation: Old Cretes Station stages Accommodation: Old Benifallet Station Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 OLD BENIFALLET STATION - DELTEBRE DELTEBRE – POBLE NOU DEL DELTA DELTEBRE – RETURN DAY SANT CARLES DE LA RÀPITA Location: Baix Ebre Location: Baix Ebre Location: Baix Ebre-Montsià Distance: 45km Distance: 50km Distance: 50km Terrain: Asphalt & Dirt track Terrain: Asphalt & Dirt track Terrain: Asphalt & dirt track Height gain: Not noticeable Height gain: Not noticeable Height gain: Not noticeable Accommodation: Delta Hotel Accommodation: Hotel Algadir Accommodation: Hotel Juanito Platja NOT TO BE MISSED ✓ Visit Alcañiz ✓ The equinox tunnel of Valdealgorfa ✓ Try the Do Terra Alta wines ✓ The town of Horta de Sant Joan and the Picasso Museum ✓ Enjoy the scenery of the ports natural park ✓ Dip your toes in the water of the Sanctuary at Fontcalda ✓ Relax in one of the old train stations ✓ Enjoy the Ebro river ✓ Discover the dam in Xerta ✓ Visit the bi-millennium Tortosa before leaving ✓ Birdwatching in the Delta de l’Ebre Natural Park PRICE & INCLUDES (Prices based in a double room for 2 people) -Welcome meeting Slow -Accommodation Slow proposal: 3 days half board + 3 days proposal accommodation and breakfast -Accommodation Active proposal: 3 days half board + 4 days 755€ accommodation and breakfast -Route documentation per person -Daily luggage transfer between accommodations -Participant transfers from: Benifallet to start point & finish point to Benifallet -Any assistance needed along the route -Insurance cover Active -VAT proposal NOT INCLUDED: 885€ -Transfers to and from Old Benifallet Station -Lunch and some dinners per person -Flights and drinks -Services don’t described in the proposal CONDITIONS AND OTHERS SUPPLEMENT PRICES -Single room: 200€ per person -Bike hire: 75€ -Ebike hire: 150€ -Transfers from and to Barcelona airport: 200€ (max.8 persons) -Transfers from and to Reus airport: 100€ (max.8 persons) OBSERVACIONS -Totes les reserves queden supeditades a la disponibilitat de tots els serveis inclosos en els programes -En cas de no haver disponibilitat en algun dels allotjaments, s’oferirà un altre de similars característiques CONDICIONS DE CANCEL.LACIÓ -Per tal de formalitzar la reserva, es requereix fer una paga i senyal d’un 30% del cost total de la ruta -Fins a 15 dies abans de la ruta, es retorna el 100% de la paga i senyal -De 2 a 7 dies, es retorna el 50% -Menys de 2 dies, no hi ha devolució CONTACT: OLD BENIFALLET TRAIN STATION vicent ibañez | director mob +34 647 548 843 | +34 977 094 185 [email protected] www.estaciodebenifallet.com.