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My-XPDTN: Els Ports Natural Park, Spain

A 3-days bikepacking trip to enjoy the surroundings of the Natural Park of Els Ports

Text by Anna Barrero , photos by Oriol Simon - 03 May 2020
Our XPDTN3 trips are (usually tough) mini expeditions that fit in 3 days. They are meant to inspire everybody to go out and ride. Their stories (as well as expeditions that don’t fit into the 3-day timeframe) can be found in MY-XPDTN.

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.

Once in the top, there’s just a downhill path to Fredes (a very picturesque village) and from there to la Sènia an asphalted road to enjoy and have fun descending almost 1000m in just 20 km.

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.

Then look for a nice restaurant where you must eat an “Arròs del Delta” (local rice)  accompanied by a wine of the area and recover from such a trip.

Distance: 244 km

Ascent: 2.900m

Stages: 3

GPS tracks on Komoot:

Enjoy the rest of the PHOTO GALLERY here:
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4 responses to “My-XPDTN: Els Ports Natural Park, Spain”

  1. J

    James says:

    13 May 2020

    Looks amazing! Would love to follow in your footsteps. Think the route for day 1 might have gone up twice/in place of day 2?

    Reply
  2. M

    Mathijs says:

    06 May 2020

    From the sidewall details I would think it is René Herse Tyres. Then looking at the width (i think 48mm) of the tyre and rim they seem 650B, these are some older version from 3T, they don’t sell on the website here anymore but you might find elsewhere.
    https://www.renehersecycles.com/product-category/components/tires/650b/

    Reply
  3. Michael says:

    05 May 2020

    Hi, thanks for the article. It would be good to know a bit more about the tyres and wheels you are using: I’m looking to buy a (predominantly) road bike but also able to run comfortably on the sort of tracks you have pictured. I’m not a gravel junkie: I just want to be able to ride on tracks without wrecking my bike or my posterior! And still make speedy progress on tarmac.

    Reply
    1. M

      Mathijs says:

      06 May 2020

      Hi Michael,

      Check my answer below, somehow it didn’t go as a reply..

      Reply
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