This intermediate section of the old railway route of the Val de Zafán, which features twenty tunnels and five viaducts, enables you to plunge into the deep canyons and steep hillsides of this abrupt region of immense scenic beauty. It was a source of inspiration for Pablo Picasso during his youth and the subsequent setting for the Battle of the Ebro, one of the bloodiest episodes in the Civil War.
The gentle slope of this easy route begins at the old station of Arnés-Lledó, close to the River Algars, where, weather permitting, you must not miss the chance to go on an excursion to the bathing area located in an irrigation dam under the old train viaduct. Neither, before beginning the route, should you sniff at visiting the mediaeval towns of Lledó and Arnes, located respectively at distances of 1.5 and 8 km, along the road from where you access the beginning of this section of the Nature Trail.
The route is perfectly signposted and each of the old stations has a picnic area and interpretation panels of the layout. Furthermore, bollards at crossroads prevent motor vehicles from passing as the route is the exclusive territory of trail users.
The first section, until you reach the Horta de Sant Joan station, runs between terraces of olive groves and almond trees, strewn with pine stands. The slope remains gentle thanks to the digging out of cuttings and embankments in the land’s stream beds. After crossing the first tunnel, you will reach the T-334 highway, which you must cross carefully and, although the town is 2 km away from the Nature Trail, paying it a visit is highly recommended, not only on account of the beauty of the town, which is listed as a Cultural Heritage Site of Natural Interest, but also for the views offered from the Puertos de Beceite, with the Rocas de Benet as the main motif, as well as the neighbouring Montaña de Santa Bárbara, with the Convent of San Salvador at the foot, both declared Historic and Artistic Sites. You must not forget to admire Lo Parot, a thousand-year old olive tree on the outskirts of the town, which is also home to a Picasso Museum.
On setting off on the itinerary again towards the Mountain of Santa Bárbara, there is a path marked off the route so you can visit the convent, which is two kilometres away. At this point, you will leave the farming plains to enter the ravine of the River Canaletas, where a “festival” of tunnels and viaducts offering spectacular views begins. The longest tunnels have automatic lighting but it is advisable to always have a torch handy. Before reaching the next station, you will get a glance of the valley towards the Sierra de Bot, where cultivated terraces among pine groves appear again. At the bottom of the ravine, you can see a large irrigation pond and the town of Bot straight ahead. This town is the only one on the edge of the track and which has a fountain.
After Bot, you will reach a humble monument to the old train, consisting of a ticket from the last journey, and after passing through a couple of tunnels, opposite the Chapel of Sant Josep which crowns a hill, you will enter into a canyon of the River Canaletas, the most spectacular part of the route on account of its vertical drops.
This section of the route runs across successive sierras thanks to immense construction work consisting of tunnels, viaducts and corniches over the river. In a somewhat more open ravine, located inside the narrow pass, Prat de Compte station is located, from where a small road emerges which, winding up the hillside, climbs up to the village, three kilometres away. A little further on, a modern iron sculpture invites you to take a break from your route and allows you to discover the splendour of the Sierra de Bot which otherwise would probably go unnoticed as its back is turned towards the traveller.
Once again, the canyon closes giving rise to the vertical faces of the sharp Sierra del Crestal, which plunge into the river. Just after passing this narrow section, you will find yourself in a stunning spot, the Sanctuary of La Fontcalda, which features a thermal water spa that can be accessed from the lane via a track.
After La Fontcalda, there is still some canyon left to cover and visits to delight the traveller. While the river borders the Sierra de Pàndols, tunnel after tunnel, one of which collapsed a while ago, you have to go round via a signposted path that emerges on the left before reaching its entrance.
The end of the route is indicated at the old station of Pinell de Brai, located next to the N-230 highway. At this point, there is a car park and a recreational area, in addition to the Nature Trail’s corresponding picnic area. The town is located four kilometres downstream and features, among other attractions, a unique building, a masterpiece by Cèsar Martinell, one of Gaudí’s disciples: the Cooperative Winery (Celler Cooperatiu).
After this point, you can continue the route by following the Baix Ebre section of the Nature Trail.
Els Ports is a rough limestone mountain range located between the Sierra Prelitoral Catalana and the Sistema Ibérico, comprising the regions of the Baix Ebre, the Montsià and the Terra Alta in Catalonia, the Matarranya region in Aragón and the Valencian region of Els Ports.
This area stands out on account of the enormous interest of its botany, geology and fauna as, among other aspects, it is an important migratory route for birds and played a significant role during the climate changes of the Quaternary era, as it served as a refuge for diverse animal and plant species, some of them unique in the world.
As regards its fauna, the most noteworthy aspect is its Wild Goat Game Reserve and its large number of resident amphibians. In terms of its plant communities, its beech tree groves, which are the furthest to the south in Europe, stand out as well as endemic species, such as some rock plant communities. As regards geology, it is worth highlighting the conglomerate front of Les Roques de Benet, the Periganyol and Sant Salvador, and other karst formations, such as karren and sinkholes, and the spectacular and deep gorges dug out by the rivers.