About the place:

Have you ever seen such a big pine that it needs to be propped to bear the weight of its branches? Starting at the Font Nova, the place where the wild ox and the goats make a stop for drinking, we rise the mountain (an authentic oriel of the meanders of the Ebro river around Xerta) until we arrive to the white and monumental pine. If you hear some bells it means that the goats of Roque are coming down hill to drink at the Font Nova. Take advantage of the meeting, since Roque is one of the last shepherds of the Port.

And if you pass here in springtime, the rosemary will be in blossom so it becomes an itinerary full of sensations!

Direction tips:

To arrive to the Font Nova, you have to take the ancient way from Xerta to Alfarà de Carles located at the km 28 of the C12 between Xerta and Tortosa in front of the picnic area along the road. After 3,7 km, you will arrive to the canal of Xerta-Càlig. Exactly in front of you, on the other side of the canal, you’ll see a path next to a stone wall. This is the way you have to take. Drive to the left to use the bridge to cross the canal. After crossing go to the right and then take the path on the left side next to a stone wall in direction of the “Llac d’Ossera and the Font Nova”.

You’ll arrive to the picnic area of the Font Nova, after 2,8 km. Leave the car here. You have to take the path on the right side of the picnic area in direction of the “Font de Perera”. After passing a homestead on the left, which serves as farmyard for the goats, you have to take the path ith a strong rise on your right hand. On arriving to a cinder stone,  you find 3 ways. Take the one in the middle.. On arriving to the Font de Perera, you have to continue straight on passing by a house. You will find the pine 360 m further. You have to undo the path to return to the Font Nova.

The best season:

winter, autumn, summer, spring

Lunch tips:

The picnic area of the Font Nova has fresh water and tables to make a picnic. If you prefer to have lunch in a restaurant, you will find an excellent menu a the  Celler d'en Panxampla restaurant in Els Reguers. To arrive to the restaurant, you have to return to the canal. Once at the canal, you have to turn right and follow the path next to the canal until you arrive to the main road from Els Reguers To Alfara de Carles (TV3422). Then turn left. You will find the restaurant on the rightside of the T342. You can also have lunch at the Assut hostel in Xerta.

More info:

Difficulty: average
Type: linear route
Distance: 4 km (2 ways)
Duration: aprox. 1h30 (2 ways without stops);
Accessibility: it is a narrow path with strong rises..
Recommendations: be careful with the bikes, since part of the itinerary follows a BTT road. Depending on the period of the year you can find wild oxen. There is little shadow, so it is convenient to start to walk early in the afternoon during the warm periods. Take water, caps, sunscreen and good footwear with you.

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat

Type:

Auberge

About the place:

If you search a place to enjoy of the animals, to make promenades with donkey or on a horseback very near the river and the mountain, you will feel very at ease at the Assut hostel in Xerta.

Located at the Major street, the song of the birds will awaken you in the early morning. About 600 meters of the hostel and surrounded by fields of olive trees, you will find the equestrian sports EquinNatur depending of the hostel where Carlos tames the horses in a natural way as the Indian tribes in Argentina do. The effect of this different way of taming is big. The horses are calmer, they feel safer and therefore they do not become frightened easily. A suitable environment for hipotherapies or to ride a horse for the first time. You’ll also find a play yard surrounded with animals like hens, goats, Catalan donkeys, pigs and an ox.

The hostel has a terrace with barbecue, a dining room with WIFI and two large rooms with capacity each of 16 persons. Carlos offers an independent space with 2 rooms and a bathroom. And for those who like to cycle, there is a fourfold room with 2 bunks with space to keep the bicycles.

A place to enjoy the nature, the animals and the calmness of a small village near the Ebro River. (see photos)

Timetable:

Open all year.

Price:

The price per person is variable depending on the season. Shared room with breakfast between 15€ and 20€; HP: 25€ - 30€; FP 35€ - 40€. Double room with TV: 20€ - 30€; HP: 30€ - 40€; FP: 40€ - 50€.

The best season:

winter, autumn, summer, spring

More info:

The hostel as well as the equestrian sports are totally adapted for persons with disabilities.

The price of the activities of the hostel such as horse excursions (1-2 hr): 18€/person; Ponies: 10€. Exits to the Ports with donkey: 150€/group.

The hostel has a restaurant with a unique day menu also for persons who do not lodge there (price: working days 10€ / weekends and festive: 15-17€). Timetable: from 13:00 to 15:00 (previous booking is requested for dinner).

From the hostel you can make the following excursions in a radium of 20 km:
Caves of Benifallet
From Miravet to Benifallet in canoe
The hermitage of the column in Cardó

From the Font Nova to the Perillo Pine in Els Ports
Caves and Prehistroric paintings in Perelló

Photo: © ExploraTgn.cat (see more photos)

 

Type of cuisine:

Traditional Catalan

About the place:

If you expect to find the bandit Panxampla at the restaurant that has his name, you are wrong. Who will be greeting you at the ancient oil mill, will be Ares, the youngest daughter of the Montalà family.  She will offer you a menu full of traditional Catalan dishes prepared with very personal touch, which did not pass unnoticed by the Michelin guide. With the ember in sight, you will be able to attempt to find out which is their secret to prepare some excellent escargots with pepper.

The restaurant is decorated with a lot of taste in a rustic style maintaining the wheel of the antique mill. As a curiosity: an element that can entertain young and old is the scale model of the Oil Mill made by Ares’ father with a lot of patience. And after some curious homemade desserts such as ice cream of balsamic vinegar, of pink pepper or rosemary, the children can play a while at the garden where they can find swings, a toboggan and ropes to drill.

A place where you can enjoy of a fantastic cuisine located just at the beginning of the Ports of Tortosa and Beseit.

The best season:

winter, autumn, summer, spring

Timetable:

Open all the year. From Tuesday to Thursday from 13:00 to 16:00 and from 20:00 to 22:00. From Friday to Sunday from 13.30 to 16:00 and from 20:00 to 23:30. Closed Monday all day and Sunday night.

Kids average menu price:

No children's menu

Adults average menu price:

35-44 €

More info:

Besides a restaurant, the Celler d’en Panxampla is also a rural hotel with 4 luxury rooms with double bed. Price for room included breakfast: 100€. They have baby beds and extra beds for the children (supplement of 30€).

Photo: © El Celler d'en Panxampla