Route description
The section of the Matarranya-Algars Nature Trail is 68 km long, linking the source of the Matarraña river (in the municipal area of Beceite) with the town of Maella, following the course of the river.
The Matarranya-Algars Nature Trail is planned to be extended; one of its three phases has now been completed. The full trail will cover 205 kilometres, crossing the comarcas of Matarraña (province of Teruel), Bajo Aragón Caspe (Zaragoza) and Terra Alta (Tarragona). The itinerary will be circular, starting from Beceite and ending there on its final leg after passing through Calaceite, Cretas, La Fresneda, Mazaleón, Torre del Compte, Valdeltormo, Valderrobres and Maella (first phase completed); Fabara, Nonaspe, Fayón (second section, in planning); Caseres, Arens de Lledó and Arnes (third phase, in planning).
Stages of the Matarranya-Algars Nature Trail
- Stage 1. Parrizal–Beceite
- Stage 2. Beceite–Valderrobres
- Stage 3. Valderrobres–Torre del Compte
- Stage 4. Torre del Compte–Valdeltormo
- Stage 5. Valdeltormo–Mazaleón
- Stage 6. Mazaleón–Maella
- Stage 7. Maella–Fabara
- Stage 8. Fabara–Nonaspe
- Stage 9. Nonaspe–Fayón
- Stage 10. Fayón–Sant Joan d'Algars hermitage (Caseres)
- Stage 11. Caseres and Arens de Lledó
- Stage 12. Arens de Lledó–Arnes
- Stage 13. Arnes–Beceite
Featured route: San Miguel de Espinalbar
Difficulty: hard | Distance: 15 km | Duration: 4 hours return
The starting point can be considered the bridge over the Pena river (or "riu Sec", as it is known locally), one of the inlets of the Pena reservoir; you can reach it by vehicle from Beceite or Valderrobres. Take the path that follows the reservoir on the side opposite the dam; before entering the tunnel cut through the rock, leave the GR waymarks and turn left, following the PR marker. Take a track that will cross the riverbed of the Pena — often dry — several times.
About 4 km from the bridge, the PR marker leads us into a gorge; this is the confluence of the Pena and Racó de Patorrat rivers (the beds are usually dry at the surface). The path immediately climbs to the right of the gorge, through the forest. We soon reach a cobbled section. The ascent is steady and demanding. To the right and left, panoramic views and the scent of the forest are a gift to the senses. After half an hour of walking we begin to see terraces and other signs of the area's former agricultural activity.
Near the end point, we come out onto a forest track. We cross it to continue along the path that, in a final climb, leads us to the hermitage and farmhouses of San Miguel de Espinalvar. This spot was once a meeting place for the families who inhabited all the surrounding farmsteads, both to celebrate religious festivals and to exchange goods and even arrange marriages. The descent follows the path that drops to our left from the track; along the way we pass through corners of rugged beauty, such as the area around Mas Roig and the Molino de Barrancos.
