Stage 4. Horta de Sant Joan/Valdealgorfa
40.2 kilometers. 320 positive meters.
The end of the bikepacking trip has a magnificent closure. The route leaves the Horta de Sant Joan station, passes through one of the last tunnels on the way and the Algars River Viaduct appears, impressive, 170 meters long and four large arches 20 meters high. At the bridge you cross the Matarraña-Algars Natural Trail. The path advances through a landscape of crops, vines and scrubland until the Cretas station. The town leaves the mountains on the right and the route runs along the highest section of the old railway route, at the old Valderrobres station. The descent through the Canaleta valley is fantastic, the bikes launch at full speed towards the plain of the Matarraña river. On some hills to the left, the silhouette of the Torre del Compte houses appears attached to the crest of a lookout hill, like most of the towns in the region. The path passes through the old station, converted into a rural hotel, and crosses the Matarraña viaduct, 275 meters long, one of the great works of the railway. The meadow is a beautiful agricultural area of impeccable crops, adapted to the soil and relief of the valley.
The Matarraña River marks the end of the mountain landscapes. The road passes through a new curved tunnel and immediately the Valdeltorno station appears, where the detour to the Matarraña Natural Path that we used three days before in the first stage towards Fayón departs. Now the route continues straight on through familiar terrain, it crosses the straight that goes up to the attractive Valjunquera station and shortly after the decisive moment of the stage arrives. On the first day of the trip we leave the Equinox Tunnel for the return and it is time to face the experience. The milestones of the Natural Trail indicate the route outside the tunnel for safety, since it is not conditioned or maintained, landslides and waterlogged sections may appear, the ground is stony and it is easy to suffer incidents, it is a 2.4 kilometer journey of darkness and It is the responsibility of each person to make the decision to travel through the old railway tunnel. In our case we asked in the town and at that time it was in acceptable condition. And we chose the direction from east to west so that it was downhill because there is a 60 meter difference in altitude. The surface has sections with quite a few stones and you have to hone in on the gravel to avoid skidding, it is a matter of patience, good light and skill. The exit hole grows little by little and finally the fence installed at the mouth of the tunnel appears to control the passage and a few meters later the Valdealgorfa station, the end of a new and intense bikepacking adventure.
Translated by Google •
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