Route description
Circular MTB route
Distance: 49.05 kilometres
Elevation gain: 225 metres
Difficulty: medium
Starting point:
- From La Fresneda: next to the municipal swimming pools
- From Valjunquera: at the 'El Clot' Park
- From Torre del Compte: at Avenida Doctor Leopoldo Montserrat, number 22
- From Mas del Llaurador
Connecting routes:
The Vía Verde Val de Zafán, the Camino Natural del Matarraña–Algars, PR-TE-163 (La Fresneda–Valdeltormo) and PR-TE-162 (Valjunquera–Mas de Llaurador–Valdeltormo).
The route:
This is a circular route running through the municipal districts of Valjunquera, Fórnoles, La Fresneda, Torre del Compte and the abandoned settlement of Mas del Llaurador. The route passes through olive groves, almond orchards and vineyards, as well as the fertile riverside land along the Matarraña river, and is dominated by traditional architecture, built mostly using the technique of pedra en sec (dry-stone construction — a traditional popular building technique using stone without any mortar or render, relying on precise placement, maximum contact between pieces and gravity itself).
The heritage features encountered along the route consist mostly of farmsteads and hermitages. In addition, visitors can see the Sanctuary of the Virgen de Gracia in La Fresneda and several Iberian burial mounds from the Early Iron Age, located on the stretch running from Torre del Compte to the old train station on the Vía Verde Val de Zafán, which have been brought to prominence through the upgrading of the route.
Although it is an MTB long-distance route, the Mas del Llaurador route can be tackled in stages between villages, making it suitable for families. Along the way, you will discover corners of the Matarraña of great scenic beauty and little-known architectural features.
