Tamarit, Tarragonès

About the place:

What about getting lost among the canes? Following the Gaià River upwards (dry during big part of the year) the contrasts will surprise you. The forest of the Ribera with elms, ashes and cane shares space with graffiti-covered bridges and viaducts. The singing of birds and toads is occasionally interrupted by the noise of the train that passes by the Wildlife Nature Reserve.

An itinerary to enjoy of one of the few remaining wetlands at the Catalan coast.

Direction tips:

The starting point of the route is located on the N340a. Coming from Tarragona or Barcelona (by the AP7, exit Altafulla), you’ll find the way to the nature reserve (marked with a green indicator) on your right at the entrance of the village, just after passing the round point with the petrol station. You can find a parking place near the start point. Take the road following the indicator to the Nature reserve. You will pass under a bridge (if it has rained it can be quite muddy , but there are strategically placed stones in order to cross).

After about 150 meters the road turns right and becomes a dirt track. 400 meters from the start point, you’ll find a bifurcation with a poster dedicated to the natural reserve of wildlife. Turn right towards the Riera del Gaià. At the next bifurcation, turn right again. After a while you’ll pass q building and then pass under a bridge. Gently the track becomes a pad of river pebbles. After reaching the second bridge, the road forks. Take the narrow footpath on the left that takes you under the bridge. Suddenly you are among the cane. Here the adventure begins. The forest becomes more lush complicating a little to pass. Try to keep left following the pebbles until it is really impossible to continue (you should try to reach a fork  where you'll find a paved road with an indicator towards the Riera del Gaià). If you do not reach the paved area, do not worry. To the left of the path, you will find several paths leading to a dirt track. Climb to the track. At the track, you go left to return to the starting point of the route. You will pass by a small building. Behind the building you’ll find a path. Follow it until the bifurcation. At this point turn left entering the cane again. Then immediately turn right to pass under the bridge. After the second bridge (with graffiti) you will reach a fork where you take the narrow footpath on the right. When you reach a wider area, you must continue the path to the left that takes you to a wider track. If you continue straight on, you’ll reach  the Tamarit Beach. If you want return to Altafulla, you turn left and continue straight on until you reach the starting point of the route.

The best season:

autumn, summer, spring

Lunch tips:

If the walk has awakened your appetite, you'll find Granja Sant Francesc a few meters from the start and end point of the itinerary. It is a place where you can take roast chicken on a terrace.

More info:

Difficulty: medium (due to the lush forest)
Type: semi-circular path
Total distance: approx. 3 miles
Duration: 50 minutes (no breaks, roundtrip)
Accessibility: The areas where it runs through the lush forest that is very difficult movement and therefore do not recommend that with small children.
Recommendations: wearing long pants to protect legs from scratching. Bring good walking shoes and water.

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat