Amposta, Montsià

About the place:

If the children like to ride a bicycle, you will enjoy a lot at the lagoon of the Encanyissada, the largest one of the Nature Reserve of the Ebro’s Delta. The first stretch of the itinerary is very safe, since you just have to follow a path specific for bicycles located between the lagoon and the rice fields.

You will be surrounded by wattle and will be able to enjoy of the view at oriels and  observatories.  Even though the best period to observe birds is the autumn, because a lot of them arrive to hibernate here and others go southern, in the winter you will be able to see among other ducks. In spring it's matching period and in summer the showiest birds appear.

And before riding along the lagoon, you can have a better look to the birds you might find on your way if you pay a visit to the Casa de fusta, constructed by hunters at the twenties of the 20th century. You will find 182 specimens of birds. 

It is an itinerary that can be adapted to the rhythm and the ages of the kids. A large play zone and the fact that you will be able to try out a bicycle where the whole family can ride on, make this route even more attractive. (See pictures)

Direction tips:

The route starts at the parking behind the restaurant l’Estany. There you can rent the bicycles (with children chairs) or the bici-cars if you haven’t brought your one. Leave the parking and few meters in front of you on the right side you will see the beginning of the bicycle lane with a wooden bridge. If you take a bici-car or you bring small children, you will probably arrive only until the first observatory at aprox. 1 km. In this initial stretch the predominant vegetation is the wattle plant which gives the name to the lagoon. At the end of the path at aprox.  3,7km -where usually you can see the bulls graze- you have to turn towards the left and take a track that goes towards the road that connects Sant Carles de la Ràpita and Poblenou del Delta. To avoid the main road, exactly 150 m before arriving to the road, you have to turn again to the left (km 7,4) and take the track until it ends in the Sant Pere canal. Here, you will be obliged to circulate during 500 m. at the main road. You have to continue until you find again the track parallel to the Encanyissada. This path takes you to the Poblenou (km 11,1). Here you will have to turn left and follow the main road during about 2,7 km to return to the Casa de Fusta. Even though there are not a lot of cars, you have to be very careful this last part of the itinerary. Halfway you will find an oriel where you can have a nice look of the ducks. You can print the map of the itinerary if you want.

The best season:

winter, autumn, summer, spring

Timetable:

It is necessary to avoid the hours of strong insolation of the summer days.

Lunch tips:

If you would like to picnic, you’ll find a very large leisure area behind the restaurant L’Estany with swings, tables, a small bar and WC’s. But if you want taste the local dishes of the Delta, you must go to the Estany restaurant.

More info:

Difficulty: easy
Type: circular route
Duration: aprox. 2 hours and a half (without stops)
Distance: aprox. 14 km
Accessibility: the zone is very flat and consists of paved ways and tracks. At some point you will have to follow the main road, so you have to be very careful at this point. 
Recommendations: it is a zone with no shadow and therefore in summer it is recommended that you protect yourselves of the sun and avoid the hours heat. Take sufficient water with you and insect protectors. During all year the wind blows quite a lot.

Rent of bicycles:
You can rent a bicycle at Mas de la Cuixota (exactly behind l'Estany restaurant)
Tel: 977 261 294 / 619 755 995.
Prices per person:
Bicycle 1 hour: 2,4€
Bicycle more than 3 hours: 8€
Bicycle-chair 1 hour: 3,01€
Bicycle-chair more than 3 hours: 9,02€
Bici-cars 30 minutes: 2,4€ (children who do not arrive at the pedals: 1€)

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat (more pictures)