The Ebro Nature Trail begins in Fontibre , where the Ebro river is born and follows it along its 1,280 km until its mouth in the Ebro Delta , and more specifically, in Riumar. The Ebro Nature Trail route consists of a total of 42 stages, although the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food indicates 21 with different route groups. There are linearly a total of 42 stages that go through each of the regions that the Ebro bathes as it passes through the west of the peninsula, with its own and common historical, natural and cultural elements as the central axis of the trip.
The riverbed and the path that accompanies it is populated with crops, irrigation canals, mills, reservoirs, lonely villages, popular architecture or passing boats. The settlements and towns that pass along the Ebro Nature Trail show the traveler a vision of the various ways of life of the inhabitants of the Ebro riverbank.
What is the best way to do the Ebro Nature Trail? This route through the places that bathes the Ebro can be done either on foot, on horseback, by motorcycle, or by bicycle , which is the way chosen by most tourists and passers-by to finish the tour.
The origin of the Ebro Nature Trail
This Long Distance Trail is the result of the collaboration and common work of different administrative levels that have made it possible to create a properly signposted interior tourism route with reliable information for those who participate in the adventure.
The Ebro Nature Trail was one of the pioneers of the great roads of the National Network of Natural Roads within the Natural Roads Program of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
It has originated from the union of various sections and routes of other minor routes and other historical ones such as the branch line of the Camino de Santiago that went from the Mediterranean and joined the French Way in the Logroño area.
Signposting and road conditions
The Ebro Nature Trail has information panels on the profile and the distance to be covered in each of the sections both at the beginning and at the end of each stage. These panels include information about the areas of natural and cultural interest that it crosses and that are worth visiting. In addition, these panels are located at points of singular interest along the route, so at no time will you feel that you are missing something.
The track that is the path has a variable width between 1 and 4 meters according to each area, so it is very comfortable in general terms for you to go in a group. During most of the route it varies between 2 and 3 m and consists simply of compacted soil type agricultural track.
Sections of the Ebro Nature Trail
The Ebro river has three clearly differentiated sections (in its landscape, flora and geology): the Upper Ebro, the depression, and the lower Ebro. This quasi-territorial division allows us to better plan how to tackle the route along the Ebro Nature Trail.
Alto Ebro (Fontibre, Cantabria – Haro, La Rioja)
Between Fontibre and Haro, the Ebro Nature Trail runs through the villages of the initial Ebro, which bathes and feeds landscapes of narrow valleys, pasture plains, and orchards. In this first phase, the most common landscape up to Haro is that of the great vines of DO La Rioja . It is worth resting in the oak grove of Monte Hijedo , which is the largest in Spain.
The Ebro Depression (Haro – Mequinenza, Zaragoza)
Haro, the wine capital of La Rioja , marks a differential milestone in the landscape, and the nature that accompanies the river as it travels in search of the sea to Mequinenza. The middle course of the Ebro is formed by a plain rich in tributaries: Gálego, Alagon, Segre give the Ebro its greatest flow, since in the upper part, up to Castejón-Tudela, it lives in cloisters.
The vegetation that the traveler is going to find changes as he leaves Haro, from the Mediterranean forests to Tudela to the steppe trees in the central part of the route.
Spring floods are abundant and common in this part of the Ebro Nature Trail, hence it is always recommended to keep an eye on the alerts. Keep in mind that the Ebro river, unlike the Duero or the Tagus, is shallower but with a more extensive and floodable riverbank.
The lower Ebro (Mequinenza – Tortosa, Tarragona)
From Mequinenza to the mouth of Tortosa, the Ebro falls back into the mountains of the Maestrazgo. It may be the most difficult part of the road for the traveler , but it is also the most interesting in terms of landscapes. it fits in between mountains, which makes the path both more difficult but of more scenic interest. Finally, upon reaching this town, the channel reopens to form the delta and flow into the sea.
Stages
The route is perfectly signposted with red and white signal beacons , in stages designed to be covered on foot in one day.
RECOMMENDATIONS
These types of long-distance routes have certain peculiarities, and the low number of participants is one of them. Hence, it is recommended never to go alone and if possible, give regular notice of your position or section of the route you are going through. For this, various applications and geolocation systems can be used.
It is essential to use maps or books or, failing that, take a guide. You can find the complete list of stages of the Camino del Ebro according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food.
It is also advisable to have knowledge of first aid and mountain relief. Important: be sure to check the weather forecast for the next stage of the Ebro Nature Trail.
