AMPOSTA
About 1 hour 45 minutes south of Barcelona lies the small town of Amposta. Close-by the mouth of the Ebro river, it's no surprise that Amposta has a distinctly coastal feel about it with small fisherman style tavernas frequently dotted around the town's outskirts. Mixed in with the traditional Spanish working-men style bars are several more modern premises which, even on a rainy Wednesday in January, were healthily stocked with locals enjoying an evening, despite the cold, adding to the jovial atmosphere that is so common across Spain.
It's hard to miss what is perhaps the town's most iconic feature as you'll likely drive over it upon entering. Built in 1915, the Pont Penjant suspension bridge is a striking piece of architecture as its cream coloured stone stands out vividly against the flat green wetlands and calm river it traverses. It's worth taking a walk along the river bank after nightfall to see the illuminated bridge mirror onto the river below.
Even though Amposta is at the very south of the Catalan border, not far from the neighbouring Valencia Province, the town has a distinctly Catalan feel to it. The iconic red and yellow stripes of the Catalonian flag (named La Senyera, meaning 'banner' in Catalan) can be spotted frequently, as can the distinctive sound of the Catalan language being spoken.
A mural in Catalan reading, 'TRANSFERS NO', referring to a protest movement sparked in the early 2000's that was opposed to the Spanish government's proposal of transferring water from the Ebro Delta to other cities in Catalunya as well as to other regions of Spain further south, where draughts are frequent and prolonged occurrences. The debate has been re-kindled on several occasions over the past two decades as draughts worsen in many areas of Spain, especially in Barcelona and its neighbouring towns. The issue of water transfers remains a strong point of contention for locals and ecologists alike as they fight to prevent interference with the Delta's natural beauty and potential subsequent effect on the area's wealth of habitats.
DELTA DE L'EBRE
The Ebro Delta, or rather, Delta de l'Ebre, is a nature reserve made up of a large area of wetlands, rivers, lakes and vast beaches. The rich biodiversity of the Delta is unlike any other in the Mediterranean an as such is a protected reserve. The area provides ideal habitats for many unique species of plants, aquatic species and birds, including flamingoes, and is an important breeding place for many migratory bird species.
With its flat typography and gorgeous roads surrounded on either side by flooded marshes and lakes, the Delta is a perfect destination for cycling enthusiasts.
Playa del Trabucador
Running for roughly six kilometres, the wide untouched sands of playa del trabucador prove a great place for enjoying the wild feeling of the Delta. With the Mediterranean Sea on one side and a shallow yet vast inlet on the other, it's a great place to unwind and is a paradise for dogs and kite-surfers alike. Some sections of the beach are completely covered in small white shells whilst other areas have low lying shrubs and rippled thick sands.
Bassa de les Olles
On the other side of the Delta lies a small lake around which is a well marked path, just be sure to follow the yellow markers. About 4.5 kilometres total, the walk is perfect for kids as it has several bird watching huts and towers along the way. Although only a short walk (around 50 minutes start to finish), Bassa de les Olles takes you through several different terrains from beach to bridges, wooden walkways to tree-lined tracks, and even paths with reeds towering above on either side like something out of a fairytale. Although the area is not technically dog friendly, if you're there in the quiet season you'd be hard pushed for someone to tell you otherwise.
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