From coll de la Carrasqueta to the cave of les Avellanes

 This route on foot to enjoy the east side of the Els Ports Natural Park with panoramic views over the valley of the Ebro delta and the Mediterranean. After you pass the western side, where it runs through the shadows of pine forests with views of the interior of the mountain and land in the county Matarraña (Teruel). The route is part of one of Catalonia's most important natural areas with regard to their conservation, uniqueness rain, flora, fauna and landscape, declared Natural Park in June 2001. The only difficulty of the route may be the crossroads. We must not rush and pay attention to signs and cartographic map. Access by car Total distance: 44 km round trip (ie Roquetes out where to get the T-341 from Tortosa). Km 0. Road to Roquetas Reguers (T-342). Km 4. Take a detour to the left to climb Mount Caro. Km 14. Screw Memorial Fountain and the wild goat; magnificent views of the Ebro valley. Km 19. Off to the right. On the left is the road that leads to the summit of Caro (1447 m). Continue to the right, pass by urbanization, leaving the Ports on the right, the Snow Restaurant Wells, the refuge of Caro (UEC), and left the restaurant of the Squirrel. 21.8 km. Reached a crossroads and take the turnoff on the left (the trail of cold Beseit). Km 22. Immediately reach the neck Carrasqueta (1100m). Leave the car in the yard to start the journey on foot. Route on foot 0.00 pm Coll de la Carrasqueta (1100 m). Take the path signposted GR-7 direction towards the southeast. 0.25 pm It climbs gently through forests of pine, Pinus sylvestris, with oaks, Quercus, and some maple, Acer opalus until Pallers neck. The trail offers splendid views of the Ebro Delta, the Montsià Peñíscola, Vinaròs and southeast. It follows the GR-7 heading south to the Cave of Glass. During the journey we can see the canyons of the Painted Cave, Orion and hats, with steep slopes. The path goes crooked, but looking for more suitable sites. You can see hazel, Corylus avellana, and yew, Taxus baccata, recent indicators of ancient climate different from the present (colder). 1.35 pm Crystal Cave (1015 m). Continuing toward the cave watching the glass canyons that are left to right as the Orion and hats, among others, and mark a sharp drop to the depression of the Ebro. Arriving at the cave of the vidre can be seen in the south, the sashes closed, the coll del conill (1351 m), where you can see the remains of the forest of beech, Fagus sylvatica, most southern Catalonia. The Cave of the vidre to leads the ravine bars, with important geological folds. It is a natural shelter where archaeological remains have been found and utensils dating from the Neolithic. Inside the cave Roquerol, Ptyonoprogne rupestris, and the swift pale Apus pallidus. In south-west follow the GR-7. This time it takes for a forest road to the source of the Locust. 1.55 pm Source Lobster (1020 m). Toward the source of lobster, are a few outcrops of water on a soil made up primarily by brand raincoats, with significant amounts of iron oxide. There are several dams built to collect water. The source is at the end of the last pond. At about 70 meters, leaving the GR-7 to take another path to the right and marked with a red neck that leads from the massive Boix (1340 m) and Marturi (1348 m). On the left the path that is left up to Three Pines, south-west. Must be fixed right at the entrance to the north-west. 2.30 pm Coll of Embarronat (1217 m). In the northeast lies the Marturi (1348 m) south of the mill Boix (1340 m) north of the mill Catí (1325 m) and north-west of the gouges Regatxol the river Ulldemó and the region of Matarraña. Besides the panoramic views that can be seen from the neck can be seen as the pines and Reds have been shaped by the strength of one of the most important meteorological elements in the area: the wind, as the search (U.S. west) and wind up or Tramontana (north). The neck is a little encinglerat north. Care must be directed to the right, heading northeast to find the step that allows the neck down, go down the small degree, and slightly to the right, lost altitude following a path that only hint until it locates a target and as clearly turning towards the east, are the red again. It climbs gently Marturi parallel to the north-west. 3.12 pm Reached a pass (1200 m). The trail turns east for a few patches. Planning begins the descent to the source ponds or Marturi (1170 m). 3.20 pm Fountain Marturi. In the summer, very little water flows. Leave the ponds at the right (should not take the path that goes north-east, because that leads to Marturi), take the path heading north to the cave floor and the Hazelnuts (1000 m). Steep. Reached the picnic area and sources of the cave of Hazelnuts. 3.40 pm It follows the path of the cave Hazelnuts neck of the forest track Carrasqueta Beseit-Cold-Caro, to be taken to the right toward the northeast (about 2km). 4.20 pm Carrasqueta neck. End of itinerary. During the journey you can see the most emblematic creature of Transportation, the ibex, Capra pyrenaica hispanica. This herbivore is a majestic, especially males, with their horns that can reach 90 cm. Forests are birds such as tits and coal shafts, the common jay, the sky and the cliffs, Jackdaws, crows, vultures and a variety of prey. It should be noted for its large size the golden eagle, Aquila chrysaetos, among others. Mammals are more difficult to observe. There are wild boars, deers, wild cats and furons among others. In summer, you can see the viper, Vipera latasti the pins or the scorpion, Buthus occitanus, both poisonous. In the cave of Hazelnuts, where flowing water can be seen Pinguicola grandiflora dertosensis an insectivorous plant that develops small cracks in the limestone as it needs to cover the nitrogen that is at rocks. April, May and June are ideal months to see the many flowers and plants that live in the mountains of Els Ports. Landmarks Panoramic views of the Ebro Delta from the neck of Pallers Panoramic views from the neck of the Embarronat Coll of Embarronat Crystal Cave Source Marturi Pins shaped by the wind Marks, outcrops of water impermeable Source Lobster Beech forest views from the Cave of Glass Gorges de la Cueva Pintada, Orion and Bars Coll of Pallers Counties: Baix Ebre Distance: 11,85 km Climb Slope: 650.0 m Descent Altitude: 650.0 m Signage: No Duration: 4 h 50 min     Criteria of usage of these routes   See restaurants here See hotels here Source: Government of Catalonia. Directorate General of Tourism / Data Update: 24/03/2006 

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