If you like to switch your vacation or weekend up with something active but yet relaxing, I highly recommend to plan a day on ‘La Via Verda’ (the Greenway). The perfect way to enjoy nature with friends and family. La Via Verda is located in the Province of Tarragona, 2.5 hours by car from Barcelona.
La Via Verda is a trail that runs along the old Zafan Valley line that connects Aragon with the Mediterranean sea. The Zafan Valley line was closed in 1973 and ever since has been made available for biking, walking or even horseback riding in the middle of stunning nature. On La Via Verda you are passing by vinyards, mountains, villages and pine forests. The way also leads you through many old train tunnels.
The special thing about La Via Verda is that with its 183 km it runs through 2 different regions of Catalunya ‘Terra Alta’ and ‘Baix Ebro’ . 100 km of the Greenway is completely separated of any automotive/vehicle traffic, which makes the experience so relaxing. The first part of La Via Verda goes uphill. However, as of the village ‘Horta de Sant Joan’ until the sea it is all downhill or at least plane. Therefore the Greenway as of Horta de Sant Joan is perfect for people that are not frequently biking or families with small children.
Anyone can enjoy La Via Verda
La Via Verda is an activity that is absolutely recommendable for all types of travellers. If you are looking for a full-on biking vacation you can bike the whole day on ‘La Via Verda’ and stop in the middle to sleep before continuing the next day. If you want to take it more easy (like we did), you can look for a part (eg. around 20km) of La Vida Verda. You will pass villages along the way, therefore if you need to stop or you just want to do a couple kilometres/miles, you can absolutely do that.
In between you’ll be passing the old stations of the old railway. Several of them have been turned into bars or restaurants where you can stop to have a drink, snack or even lunch. If you are in the crowded season, you can call in advance to reserve for lunch in between or after your bike-ride.
Our Route
Horta de Sant Joan – Benifallet around 22km. It is all downhill or plane. You will pass several places on the way where you can have a drink/food. One of the nicest station to stop is the Old station of ‘Bot’, where the Bar/Restaurant is located in an old train wagon. The ‘Bar Antiga estació de Bot’ serves Lunch and dinner as well as Sandwiches.
When doing this Itinerary you are crossing ‘La Fontcalda’ which is one of the few natural Warm-springs in Catalunya. The temperature of the water at this spring rises up to around 25°C (77°F) and was previously known as the spa for pilgrims. To reach the warm spring from the Greenway you need to follow the signs on La Via Verda and go down (as well as up later on, unfortunately) a steep hill where indicated. Next to the warm spring you’ll also find a bar and restaurant to stop for refreshments.
We ended our bike ride at the old station of ‘Benifallet’, which is located in the middle of the forest. While we were waiting for the Bike-renting company to pick up the Bikes we sat down in the Restaurant ‘Antiga Estació de Benifallet’ and had lunch. The table we had reserved in the morning when the renting company picked us up here to bring us to the starting point in ‘Horta de Sant Joan’. The old station of Benifallet also has a Hotel/Hostel where you can spend the night to continue the Greenway the next morning.
Essentials on La Via Verda - Bike & Food
Bikes: You can either bring your own bike, or you can rent bikes (and helmets etc) from one of many companies. The companies usually also pick you up and takes you to the starting point. Eg. The company picked us up in Benifallet where we left our car and took us to L’Horta Sant Joan’.
Food & Drink: Many of the old Train stations along the way have been changed into bars and restaurants, however you’ll also pass some villages depending which part of the trail you take. Therefore if you plan to stop for lunch, just check beforehand where you’ll end up at lunchtime and you can look for a bar/restaurant there. Of course, this is a public trail so its always a nice option to bring some sandwiches/snacks/lunch with you and stop along the road at one of the many pic-nic Tables. We brought some sandwiches that we ate midway. We stopped along the way at the station of ‘Bot’ where we had a drink. Finally upon arrival at the station of Benifallet we had lunch.
When and Where
When to go: The Catalan Via Verda is open all year. In my opinion, the best time to go on La Via Verda is Spring or Autumn. However, if you don’t mind the heat or catch a sunny in winter, La Via Verda can always be a nice option.
Location: 1.5 hours by car from Tarragona, 2.5 hours by car from Barcelona
Tipp: If you are not fan of long bikerides but you don’t want to miss out on the Greenway experience, there are companies that offer combi-packs of a short part of the Greenway and afterwards you stop at a Winery for a tasting and tour. As an example: This winery offers the whole package of Bike renting for the Greenway part ‘Horta de Sant Joan’ to ‘Bot’ (around C KM) where their winery is located. The Pack includes a tour and a tasting at their winery. Bike and Wine – Celler Menescal
Other Links:
Link for bike renting in all the different areas of ‘La Via Verda’: https://terresdelebre.travel/en/que-fer/turisme-actiu/via-verda