Why this ride
A 155 km round trip from Valdeltormo - roughly 4 h 04 in the saddle. On the way it passes Val del Charco del Agua Amarga, Abric del mas de Barberà and back through Val del Charco del Agua Amarga. The line favours views over speed.
CURVESCOUT / MOTORCYCLE RIDE
Caídas del Salbimec and Abric del mas de Barberà
Plan this ride
- Recorded distance
- 155 km
- Riding-time estimate
- 4 h 04
- Journey
- Recorded itinerary
Distance and timing basis
The recorded total and the leg detail need reconciliation. Inspect the leg notes before using this record for timing or navigation. Stops, delays, approach and any separate return travel add time. Basis: producer-declared routed record.
Reading history stays on this device. My road watch requires a separate selection; opening it does not subscribe this ride.
Distance and riding time are measured on the routed road. Check local closures and conditions before you ride.
Waypoint introductions and full write-ups
1. Caídas del Salbimec
The Matarraña, or Matarranya as most locals call it, is the corner of Aragón that feels Catalan, Valencian and Aragonese at once, and it has quietly become one of the most rewarding regions in Spain to explore on two wheels. The shelter known as Caídas del Salbimec lies in the hills between Valdeltormo, Mazaleón and Calaceite, one of the many prehistoric art sites along the eastern edge of the peninsula that are protected together by UNESCO. The paintings are modest, and access may involve a rough track and a walk, but the setting is typical of the region: a sandstone outcrop above olive groves and almond terraces, with the river cutting below.
Read the complete Caídas del Salbimec write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Caídas del Salbimec is where the day begins. Next is Val del Charco del Agua Amarga.
2. Val del Charco del Agua Amarga
Around ten kilometres from Alcañiz, in a dry ravine among olive groves and limestone ledges, a rock shelter holds one of the most celebrated scenes of Levantine rock art in Spain. The paintings at Val del Charco del Agua Amarga show archers in motion, hunting and perhaps fighting, their thin bodies drawn with a few confident strokes in red. Many experts consider it one of the finest examples in the UNESCO listing of Mediterranean rock art, and seeing it, even protected behind a fence, gives a real jolt of connection to people who lived here several thousand years ago.
Read the complete Val del Charco del Agua Amarga write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Val del Charco del Agua Amarga comes up 20 km in. Next is Abric del mas de Barberà.
3. Abric del mas de Barberà
Alcañiz is the capital of the Bajo Aragón, a region of olive groves, cereal fields and dry hills crossed by the Guadalope river in the south-east of Aragón. The town is crowned by a castle built for the Order of Calatrava, now a parador, and its main square, with a Gothic loggia and the town hall, is one of the finest in the region. The shelter of the Mas de Barberà lies in the hills just outside town, toward Castelserás and Calanda.
Read the complete Abric del mas de Barberà write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
40 km in you reach Abric del mas de Barberà. Next is back through Val del Charco del Agua Amarga.
4. back through Val del Charco del Agua Amarga
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Val del Charco del Agua Amarga write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
back through Val del Charco del Agua Amarga, late in the day. Next is Caídas del Salbimec.
5. Caídas del Salbimec
Return visit. Read the place description above.
Read the complete Caídas del Salbimec write-up.
Recorded stop-planning note
May refer to an earlier itinerary; verify against your selected route before riding.
Planning note
Back at Caídas del Salbimec. That is the ride.
Leg by leg
Caídas del Salbimec to Val del Charco del Agua Amarga
Caídas del Salbimec → Val del Charco del Agua Amarga is 18 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Val del Charco del Agua Amarga to Abric del mas de Barberà
Val del Charco del Agua Amarga → Abric del mas de Barberà is 22 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
Abric del mas de Barberà to back through Val del Charco del Agua Amarga
Abric del mas de Barberà → back through Val del Charco del Agua Amarga is 22 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.
back through Val del Charco del Agua Amarga to Caídas del Salbimec
back through Val del Charco del Agua Amarga → Caídas del Salbimec is 18 km of rhythm rather than effort. Let it flow and let the view breathe.