Inspired and similar to Marc’s XPDTN3 “Family trip” we run a few months ago, Anna (an XPDTN3 explore herself as well) decided to join a friend and ride a similar route… just tougher by going uphill…
After 3 weeks of doing literally nothing… maybe it wasn’t a good idea to plan a bikepacking trip with such daily kilometers.
On the very first day, we did 102 km with 1000m of ascent. All these kilometers were ridden mainly through the Via Verda (Greenway). The Greenway is a tourist route restricted to itineraries that run on old railway infrastructures.
In this case, it passes through the old railway line of the Val de Zafan.
We rode it from south to north (usually people go in the opposite direction so it’s mainly downhill), but we are not normal people.
From this day, the 27 km through the Terra Alta region, were those standing out passing through impressive mountain landscapes and natural rafts between Horta de Sant Joan, Bot and Prat de Comte.
The second day after a copious breakfast in Alcañiz we rode in a solitary and snaky road that would drive us to Beseit where I strongly recommend to stop for lunch (we did not) before starting the long and arduous ascent.
Not only for the terrain type (quite rocky) but for the weather conditions. At 1300m we hit 0°C but the views were worth it.
Maybe this route would be more suitable for Springtime when there are more daylight hours and the temperatures are higher, but Autumn colors are also special.
And the last day it’s a short one with only 34 km with the idea to arrive at lunchtime in Tortosa where we started with the idea to visit the monumental legacy of this city that has a bike trail connecting the towns of Tortosa with L’Aldea by an old road.
Distance: 244 km
Ascent: 2.900m
Stages: 3
GPS tracks on Komoot:
