The old railway of Vall de Zafán has became into one of the most amazing greenways in Spain. It counts with several tunnels, viaducts, abrupt landscape of limestone rocks, water, vegetation, full of legends and stories linked to the Spanish Civil War as well as related to the wine sector because the train circulated was known by the name of “lo Sarmentero” by local people which it means the brunch of vine in Catalan.

The aim of this railway projected in 1863 was to unite the port of Sant Carles de la Ràpita with la Puebla de Híjar with the military hypothesis of supplying the area in case of a possible war conflict taking into account the natural barrier that forms the river Ebro. Also as a means of commercial communication between Aragon and Mediterranean.

However, the first section of 32 km was inaugurated in 1895 between Alcañíz and la Puebla de Híjar. It was not until 1942 when the extension was carried out until Tortosa mostly built by Republicans prisoners.

Despite all this, thirty-one years later the line definitely was closed 19th September in 1973 because one of the tunnels collapsed between el Pinell de Brai and Prat de Comte which served as an excuse to close the railway.

In 2016 ViOrigen with the collaboration of Bicisports Aubanell offers an interesting experience mixing the best tourist attraction in Terra Alta, the green way and the wine. It is about a tour by bike through the green way of more than 20 kms from the old station in Horta de Sant Joan until the old station of Benifallet where you can have a meal in the restaurant of there. After that you will enjoy a wine tasting of Terra Alta wines in our tasting room located in Gandesa.

Many means of media have echoed about our experience activity:

English:
The Guardian -> A foodie homage to Catalonia: a tour of its unsung delta
French:
La Vie d’une Curieuse -> ViOrigen pour une dégustation insolite
German:
Good Food Love -> Op wijnreis door kleurrijk en veelzijdig Catalonië
Delicious Travel -> Wein-Roadtrip durch Katalonien
Finnish:
Rantapallo -> Leppoisa pyöräretki Katalonian viinialueilla
Spanish:
Radio 5 -> Vía Verde de la Terra Alta
Origen -> Terra Alta: La pujanza serena de los sentidos.
Blog A dónde quieras que vaya ->
La Fontcalda, un secreto entre tú y yo.
Catalan:
Canal Terres de l’Ebre -> Reportatge enoturisme Terra Alta