Un oasi a la Via Verda

Un altre escena de l’estiu. Al 1973 l'ultim tren va passar per la via conegut com a Val de Zafan que pujava des del Baix Ebre fins a Aragó. Aquesta ruta és preciosa, almenys en la part que coneixem natros, Baix Ebre i Terra Alta, i era una pena que no es treia profit d’aquesta infraestructura. Per sort, fa uns anys es va començar a netejar i restaurar i ara forma part de les xarxes per caminar i anar en bici conegudes com a Vies Verdes.

Bé, pujar riu amunt des de Tortosa en ple estiu és un bon esport i fins fa poc, arribaves a on podies, buidaves la botella d’aigua, mitja volta i cap a casa. Però aquesta setmana hem trobat un oasi en tanta calor i sequedat ... just aquest mes han acabat de restaurar l’antigua estació de Benifallet i convertir-ho amb bar/restaurant, amb serveis com a menjades, dutxes, allotjament, i el més important, una cervesa fresca al ple mig de la natura. Esperem que tinguin sort i que aquest tipus d’iniciativa tingui èxit a les Terres de l’Ebre.

The last time the old steam railway line that ran up river from the lower Ebro into Aragon saw a train was back in 1973. Luckily, the route was restored and cleaned up a few years ago, converting it into a walk and cycle way which offers a fantastic unique opportunity to go up river through the countryside and mountains of the Ebro, through cool tunnels and hot dry forests, miles away from the nearest towns or roads. This kind of route is known as a Green Way here.

Cycling upstream from Tortosa is a fine summer sport, sweating it out until your water bottle runs dry, before turning round and coasting back down. Now, however, an oasis has appeared on the route. The disused run-down station of Benifallet, completely out in the wilds, has been done up and converted into a bar/restaurant with useful services like meals, showers, accommodation, and above all cool beer while lounging in a hammock listening to the crickets sing their summer song. I hope they are successful and we can see more of this kind of initiative here to make the most of the wonderful touristic opportunities offered by the Ebre countryside.

The Monkees with Last Train To Clarksville del 1966.