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This page has been devised to provide an opportunity for our walking clients to express their individual feelings about their excursion to the Els Ports Natural Park or Montsia mountain nature reserve.
Montsia Walk (Walk 4)
Our walk began with a steady climb through the woods. Margaret pointed out the birds along the way and Rob showed us the places of historical interest, the old lime kilns, for example. It was a relatively easy climb to the top, stopping halfway for a break by an abandoned farmhouse. The views were ever more breathtaking. And suddenly, there we were ... the stunning view through the natural gap in the rocks, (La Foradada). We found a place to sit and enjoy our well-earned lunch that had been gratefully supplied for us, with a 360 degree mountain view thrown in for good measure. Talk about on top of the world! And, to make our day complete; an alpine accentor came so close we were able to take some good pictures, even with our wide angle lens! Thanks Margaret and Rob for an unforgettable day out.
Theo & Pat van Orsouw, Oss, Netherlands March 09 (Click on image to enlarge - if image doesn't load check your popup blocker)
Mont Caro Walk (Walk 3)
There are views on this walk as good as you can get. This naturally regenerating terrain is littered with huge fallen trees, but here and there are magical untouched areas of greenery. Excellent views of the River Ebro Delta & the surrounding mountains at lunch stop. The walk contains two areas of medium walking and two areas of more strenuous walking but well worth the effort. Fantastic location for mushrooms, will be back next October. Why walk the mountains of Scotland in the pouring rain when you can walk the mountains of Spain & get the gain without the pain!
Martin Rea, Roquetes, Catalunya, Spain Nov 08
(Foot note- - - This is a relatively new walk using the spectacular high peak of Mont Caro at 1447m as part of the return journey. The landscape in places is the result of a historical fire. The Els Ports Natural Park is a popular area for mushroom gathering during October each year, when local people flock to their favourite places in the mountains to search for the highly valued 'rovellons'. Martin spent 20 years living, working & walking in Scotland before moving to Spain - - - Marg and Rob Nov 08.)
Montsia walk (Walk 4)
The walk up to the 'hole in the rock' in the Sierra de Montsia is very varied with interesting habitats and bird & plant communities at different altitudes. The destination allows for stunning & uninterrupted views out onto the Ebro Delta & the coast from over 700m altitude. To the rear there is an equally dramatic panorama down onto the rest of the range, the Puertos de Beceite & the valley through which the AP7 runs.
The ascent goes through rocky open terrain (with well-repaired & maintained paths) with splendid views up to a ridge, via woodland, then past a fascinating ruined farmhouse dating back 800 years, across a gently sloping open area of maquis, before a relatively short abrupt climb to the 'top'. The return route for the main part is a separate loop rejoining the outward route at a font/collecting troughs on the edge of interesting woodland, where an eagle-eyed guide spotted a palmate newt on the outward journey (that had vanished by our return).
Birdlife was very interesting, if not abundant (it was a hot day & we were walking from mid-morning to late afternoon). A group of 8 honey buzzards (probably) soaring along the lower ridge was a good start. The old fields around the farmhouse and the ruin itself were alive with passarines and hirundines, with a male yellowhammer (it must have been) doing a passable imitation of a black-headed bunting (supposedly much further east in Europe). Even 30 minutes here of earnest looking would be rewarding.
Across the maquis warblers moved frustratingly difficult to identify but by a process of elimination either spectacled or sub-alpine warblers (or both) were present alongside the 'Sardinian'.
At the top Alpine swifts flew at eye level, preferring the 'inland' side of the ridge whilst swifts kept themselves to the coastal side. Magnificent 'looking down' views on kestrels & ravens were enjoyed over lunch, whilst a black redstart pair fed chicks in a crevice in the rock just above our heads, a splendid ornithological experience to enjoy with well-earned sandwiches.
Those views on such a clear day, as said, are quite magnificent & worth the effort alone to visit this range which contrast markedly from the topography of the Els Ports.
Graham Willetts, Ringwood, Hants, UK, May 08 Graham's full birding list for Eastern Spain 20th May - 2nd June 08
Interesting plants identified during the walk were: centaury, dwarf fan palm, borage, blue pimpernel, pyramidal orchid, leuzia conifera (curious cone-like flower)
Interesting butterflies identified were: false ilex hairstreak, cleopatra, bath white, brimstone, red admiral, spanish gatekeeper, holly blue hummingbird hawkmoth
Plant & butterfly identification - Peter Seal, Malvern, Worcs, UK, May 08 Peter's list of interesting plants & butterflies for Eastern Spain 20th May - 2nd June 08
Font Nova walk (Walk 5)
This was our first visit to this part of Spain and we had not known quite what to expect, so Rob & Marg felt this walk, with the peak at La Moleta ('The Tooth' - yes, it does look quite like one from below!) would be the perfect introduction to the Ebro region's mountainous landscapes. How right they were. The steady climb takes you past a couple of sad derelict buildings, one a former villa of amazing grandeur, along paths that offer you increasingly stunning vistas of the Ebro valley, with all its contrasts (river, towns, villages, the Delta and the Mediterranean itself). As we approached the destination, were lucky enough to have a brief eyeball-to-eyeball encounter with a very startled ibex. Your reward for scrambling the final stage, with the help of rings & wires, up on to limestone pavement of the The Tooth itself is one of the most breathtaking panoramas we have ever seen - a great backdrop to lunch. And on the way down, you get to re-fill your water bottles with cool pure water from the spring at Font Nova. Wow!
Mike & Gill Wyatt, Rutland UK, Oct 07
The relatively short (three-hour) walk to the Eroded Castle and back was quite a contrast to the previous one we had done with Rob & Marg (Font Nova), but equally rewarding. Instead of wide expansive vistas, this one had a more enclosed feel, with gorges & narrow craggy passes to negotiate (but nothing too demanding), as well as shady woodland - great for bird watchers and botanists. There are photo opportunities galore, including views through spectacular 'holes in the rock'. We enjoyed lunch looking out across a remote valley plain used as a field hospital in the Spanish Civil War, while the griffon vultures circling around only added to the poignancy of the experience. At the destination, you get a grandstand view of the Eroded Castle and good idea of why this imposing piece of rock got its name, with the help of fascinating background detail from Rob & Marg, whose in-depth knowledge bring the whole walk to life.
Mike & Gill Wyatt, Rutland UK, Oct 07
Cova del Vidre walk (Walk 7)
Ebro Tours trails offered us an excellent introduction to 'Els Ports', a mountainous upland unknown to many including ourselves. Lacking a detailed knowledge of the area, we relied upon Marg & Rob to select a walk appropriate to our abilities & interest. Their choice of a trail to the 'Glass Cave' was superb. We made our ascent through a mixed woodland that gave extensive views over a geological landscape we had not seen before.
The walk was a rich experience. We learnt of man's attempt to tame the landscape by farming & irrigation. Our interests in natural history were challenged by attempts to identify the things that we saw. We had a few problems with griffon & Egyptian vultures or the ibex that we startled. The Glass Cave with its smoke blackened roof has been a place of refuge for thousands of years. The views from its mouth were amazing, little wonder that an intruder could so easily be spotted. Thanks to our excellent guides, we enjoyed a marvellous walk in this beautiful area. This was just one of the many walks on offer by Ebro Tours.
Richard & Kate, Oakham, Rutland, UK Sept 07
Cova Dels Adells walk (Walk 2)
Each walk you make in these mountains is like turning another page in this endless story of sheer beauty &, being surprised by the majesty of this unspoiled masterpiece of nature over and over again. Just need the perfect guide to find your way through it, which we happily found in Marg and Rob.
Kris, Griet & Toby, Leefdaal, Belgium, May 07
Marble walk (Walk 1)
The drive to the walk was pretty spectacular in its own right, taking in quaint Spanish villages, mountain ranges and a drive through the wine growing region of the Terra Alta. The walk itself exceeded all expectations, taking in numerous landscapes and challenges, from a barranc to a mixture of interspersed rocky inclines and wooded paths passing through caves and what Rob described as an ibex graveyard. The wooded areas were spectacular and had benefited from the recent rainfall with the fresh smells of wild flowers and herbs pervading the air. Being quite steep and consequently quite challenging we had earned our lunch at the top of the ridge, where we enjoyed breathtaking views of the valley and surrounding mountains, as well as the griffon vultures circling high above us. We could make out our accommodation at Marg and Rob's and we could even see where the delta entered the Mediterranean. It was a fascinating walk which was enhanced by Marg and Rob's guidance. Their explanations of our surroundings and the landscape and their knowledge of the area made it an enjoyable day out and a walk to be repeated next time we are in the area.
Jess & Tom, Sheffield University, UK also Richard & Joe, Birmingham, UK, April 07
Two Valleys walk (Walk 14)
This was our second trip into the mountains with Rob & Marg. This trip was specifically designed with the intention of finding birds of the valleys and mountains and, in particular, eagles. The walk itself was about 4 miles long through some spectacular scenery but relatively easy in spite of the weight of bird watching equipment we were carrying. We weren't disappointed with excellent views of griffon vultures and a golden eagle which landed on the mountain above us, enabling us to get good views through the telescope. We also had excellent views of 19 ibex and other birds including firecrest, crested tit and great spotted wood pecker. The trip ended with a short visit to Horta de Sant Joan to see this ancient village where Picasso spent some of his time.
Ken & Graham Mather, Stafford & Stockport UK. March 07
Rio Estrets walk (Walk 15)
Marg
and Rob selected this walk based on our description of our abilities as walkers
and what a good choice it was! Despite dark clouds sitting on the mountains as seen from the Casa Pequina, Rob assured us that the weather would be better at the other side! Guess what – he was right, and we were blessed with a warm, sunny day for the whole of the walk. After
starting up a forest track and paddling across a weir, we crossed a col on rough
ground and dropped into a barranc, where the water formed beautiful blue and
green pools. It was very tempting to jump in!
Climbing out of the barranc, we lunched on Marg’s generous sandwiches
whilst admiring the view of Horta de Sant Joan in the distance. Suitably
lunched, we dropped down to the Rio Estrets and followed the river through the
olive groves and into the gorge, where we were treated to the impressive sight
of huge Griffon Vultures lazily circling around the cliffs and, further along,
human “crag rats” perched precariously high up on the rock face. Expertly
guided by Marg and Rob, who provide just the right amount of interesting
information, this was a memorable day out, finished off, after the walk, with a
visit to Horta de Sant Joan and a cold beer at a bar in the village square.
Perfect! Helen and Dave Farrow, Leeds, UK. Oct 06
Below are 2 more accounts of the Rio Estrets walk (Walk 15)
All we needed for our day's walking trip in the El Ports mountains were a pair of stout boots, water and a smile on our faces. The last came naturally as we discovered with the help of our expert guides Rob and Margaret the wonderful scenery all around and the fantastic griffon vultures gliding overhead. It can get hot up here in summer, but then nothing beats the sensation of jumping into cold plunge pools along the numerous barrancs high up in the hills, and having your feet tickled by small barbel. Phil Pembroke, Romford, UK. Sept 06 Walkingbootgate
Despite
the previous night’s easy flowing Terra Alta (very quaffable local red wine)
– nicely complimented by Rob and Margaret’s affable company and almond tree
produce - the next day’s 5 hour trek greatly enhanced our ‘real Spain’
experience. Intermediate physical exertion was complimented by cool icy swims,
remote panoramas (that had stirred Pablo Picasso’s imagination 100 years
prior), terrain that would entice any Sergio Leone fan (guilty, sorry) to
automatically don a leather cowboy hat and pull-out the mouth organ; and, if
that is not enough, throw in a mysterious tale of an abandoned pair of brand new
Timberland walking boots, our removal of them and the unsuccessful quest for the
owner.
Perhaps this twilight quest was partially obscured by our après-refreshment, whilst soaking up the charm of Horta’s campo society and hospitality (a Catalonian country town that exudes an almost raw-Tuscanesque socio-graphic aura – again inspiring the great Pablo). In the end, maybe only those sinister Griffin Vultures, constantly keeping watch from above, hold the key to the unresolved enigmatic walking boot saga; or, as I suspect with hindsight, perhaps a lone nude bather (in hiding during our arrival) had a very uncomfortable 3 mile trek back up the Estretes D'Arnes (a stunningly picturesque river valley; but, remember…keep an eye on your footwear).
Paul E. Delaney, Chelmsford, UK. Sept 06
Gateway of Hell walk (Walk 20) The family Rea consisting of big, fat guy (smoked and drinks too much), tasty, young wife, gorgeous daughter (never walked before), plus dog (seriously fit, can go forever). Rob & Madge, we took on the challenge of walking skills & decided to take on a 6 hour walk through absolutely stunning scenery. But when we got to base camp by car, looked up at the mountain and thought, 'can't manage this'. Then we started the ascent. As I was a smoker, my lungs exploded, and after suffering for 40 minutes, felt comfortable. I settled down; wife, dog, child - great! I experienced on that day, probably one of the best things in my life, in the wilderness - nice people, outstanding scenery - which ironically was only spitting distance from my spanish house, and I never knew it was there. That's the benefit. Martin Rea & family, from their finca, Roquetes, Catalunya, Spain. Aug 06
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