Type: Invidual tour
Accompaniment: GPS
Cycling type: Leisure & Touring cycling
Difficulty level: 3/5
Luggage xfer: included
Tour info: 5 days, 4 nights, 4 cycling days
Departure: daily, prices are per person
Price per person, double room including breakfast (for 2 travelers): price to be announced.
Unfortunately, this trip is not available for solo travelers (1 person).
Request a travel proposal for an exact price quote.
There is also a 3-day variant of this trip, which skips the Ebro delta: Via Verde Val de Zafán (3d)
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Prices exclude:
This delightful bike tour begins in the mountainous inland of Aragón and ends in the completely flat Ebro Delta. You will cycle along the Via Verde Val de Zafán and quiet country roads. Passing through tunnels and viaducts towards the Ebro River, you’ll arrive in the Ebro Delta, where rice is cultivated. On the final day, you can enjoy a beautiful day tour in this area.
The starting point of your bike trip is the historic and lively town of Alcañiz. The Via Verde Val de Zafán actually begins earlier, but the most scenic part starts from Alcañiz. Want to know where you’re heading? Take a look at a map of Spain. The odd little point jutting into the sea south of Tarragona is the Ebro Delta, a wonderfully flat area that in winter resembles Zeeland and in spring (with the rice fields turning green) reminds one of Bali. Between Alcañiz and the Ebro Delta, you’ll cycle through pine forests, past olive and almond trees, and through green open spaces and narrow valleys. Along the route or nearby, you’ll find attractive villages. You’ll also come across a beautiful visitor center on the Via Verde, which is well worth a stop. By this time, you’ll have reached the far south of Catalonia, dominated by the Ebro River, which flows through Tortosa to the Mediterranean Sea. To the east lies the Ebro Delta, formed over thousands of years by deposits from the Ebro.
There is also a 3-day variant of this trip, which skips the Ebro Delta: Via Verde Val de Zafán (3d).
The Via Verde Val del Zafán is well-maintained and relatively flat, making it suitable for cyclists of all levels. Along the route, there are various picnic areas and rest stops where you can enjoy the scenery and take a break. The route passes through villages and historical landmarks, making the Via Verde de la Val de Zafán not only a physical activity but also a cultural one. It’s the perfect way to explore the region and enjoy the nature and history of Aragón and Catalonia.
You can expand each day for more information.
Today you arrive in Alcañiz. Here, you will receive your rental bikes (if you opted for them) and can take a short ride around the area. Alternatively, you can take your time to explore the beautiful town and relax before starting your bike trip tomorrow.
After breakfast, you cycle towards the medieval town of Cretas. Along the way, you’ll pass through numerous tunnels—some illuminated and others pitch dark; on warm days, they always provide a welcome, cool change. You’ll pass La Parada del Compte, an old train station that has been converted into a luxury hotel. The route takes you through alternating landscapes of pine forests, holm oaks, and vineyards. You’ll reach the spot where the Matarraña River and the Algar River merge—a great place to take a break and cool off. The last part of the journey allows your legs some rest as you descend downhill to your overnight stay in Cretas or Valderrobres.
Today, you’ll cycle the second part of the Via Verde. You’ll gradually descend and pass the former station of Benifallet. This is the Terra Alta region in Catalonia, where spectacular views alternate with tunnels and aqueducts. The imposing Santa Barbara rock massif looms in the distance, and in the town of Bot, there’s an old train carriage turned into a café. In Els Ports, you can cool off at La Fontcalda, a sanctuary and natural spa—a perfect spot for a picnic.
After Benifallet, you continue descending and cycle along the Ebro, Spain’s largest river, which is heavily used for hydroelectric power. The old dam in Xerta, built in the year 944 and expanded in the 15th century to split the Ebro, is a beautiful sight. In Xerta and also in Aldover, the old stations have been converted into cafes with lovely terraces. When you see the red bridge in the distance, you know you’re almost in Tortosa.
Today, we cycle from Tortosa to the Deltebre National Park. We ride along the banks of the Ebro River, passing through several charming towns. The Ebro Delta is as flat as a pancake, making for a very relaxed ride. The water from the Ebro is used for growing rice and fruit, and the views of the rice fields are stunning. You will spend the night in the agricultural town of Deltebre.
This is the last day of your short cycling holiday. You’ll take a loop ride through the national park, a fascinating wetland area formed by deposits from the Ebro River. Today, you’ll cycle through an oasis of rice fields and have plenty of opportunities for birdwatching. Black ibises take flight, and flamingos stand proudly on one leg in the Ebro Delta. With this highlight, your trip comes to an end, having cycled from the mountains of Aragón to the flatlands of the Ebro Delta.
Trekking tours with a difficulty level of 3/5 are suitable for the average recreational cyclist. These tours are not overly long but may involve some elevation gain. The routes can include extended sections of unpaved terrain (gravel) but remain easily rideable. There may be 1 or 2 days that are somewhat longer and more challenging. On average, daily distances range between 30 and 50 kilometers, with elevation gains of 200 to 400 meters per day.
You cycle from the inland of Aragón to the far south of Catalonia. The starting point, Alcañiz, is 1,650 kilometers by car from Utrecht.
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