Overview
A six day, self-guided cycling holiday in Catalonia, focusing on Ebro Delta Natural Park, the largest and most important wetland in the region. This makes for idyllic cycling trails, starting and ending in the historic and handsome town of Tortosa, on the banks of Ebro River, and overlooked by Els Ports massif. From coasts to canalside paths, lagoons and luscious rice fields, as well as some superb birding at Encanyissada Lagoon, these trails keep you on your toes, scenery-wise. This is a very different side to Catalonia and exploring it by traditional or e-bike is a very liberating way to do so.
- Towns of Tortosa, l’Ampolla, Amposta, Deltebre, Riumar and La Ràpita
- Illa de Buda
- Mouth of the Ebro River
- Platja dels Eucaliptus
- Birdwatching at Tancada and Encanyissada Lagoons
- Natural springs at Ullals de Baltasar
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Tortosa
Arrive in the historic town of Tortosa, on the banks of Ebro River and framed by the foothills of Els Ports massif. The town’s layered history is reflected in its medieval, renaissance and modernist architecture, from the hilltop castle to the cathedral and the old Jewish quarter. Depending on your arrival time, explore the riverside promenade or visit one of the town’s traditional bakeries to try pastissets, typical local pastries filled with sweet pumpkin or almond, before settling in for the night. Your bikes are delivered to the hotel by the end of the day.
- Accommodation: Hotel SB Corona Tortosa or similar in Tortosa
Day 2: Tortosa – L’Ampolla – Amposta | 54km
Leave Tortosa behind and cycle south through the fertile plain of Baix Ebre, passing fields of artichokes, citrus trees and rice. The route follows quiet country roads and canalside paths towards the coast. Arrive at L’Ampolla, a small fishing town with a sheltered harbour which also has access to the northern edge of Ebro Delta Natural Park. Continue along flat, open terrain lined with wetlands and reed beds, before turning inland to reach Amposta, which is known for its modernist architecture and riverfront promenade.
- Cycling for the day: 54km, ↑100m ↓100m
- Accommodation: Hotel Montsià or similar in Amposta
Day 3: Amposta – Riumar – Deltebre | 40km
Cycle east across the heart of the delta, through a patchwork of rice fields and irrigation canals. Birdlife is abundant here, especially along the wide banks of the Ebro River. Follow sandy tracks and riverside paths towards the Zigurat viewpoint, where the Ebro meets the Mediterranean sea and from where Illa de Buda can be spotted. Continue to Riumar, a beachside hamlet at the mouth of the river. From here, follow a riverside path inland to Deltebre, a town surrounded by rice fields, which is a favourite with nature photographers and birdwatchers.
- Cycling for the day: 40km, ↑30m ↓30m
- Accommodation: Delta Hotel or similar in Deltebre
Day 4: Deltebre – La Ràpita | 39km
Follow quiet backroads through the southern delta, passing wooden observation towers and fishing huts beside shallow lagoons. Stop at Platja dels Eucaliptus, a wide, undeveloped beach backed by dunes and marshes, a popular habitat for flamingos and herons. Continue along the edge of Tancada and Encanyissada Lagoons before arriving at La Ràpita (also known as Sant Carles de la Ràpita), a lively fishing port framed by the foothills of Serra de Montsià. Its seafood restaurants and marina make it a pleasant overnight stop.
- Cycling for the day: 39km, ↑50m ↓50m
- Accommodation: Hotel Juanito Platja or similar in La Ràpita
Day 5: La Ràpita – Tortosa | 26km
Head inland on country lanes and canal paths through the agricultural heart of the delta, where rice fields alternate with olive groves and small holdings. Cross the Ullals de Baltasar, a cluster of crystal-clear freshwater spring pools shaded by poplars and reeds. Arrive at Amposta from the south and cross the historic suspension bridge before heading northwest to Tortosa. Finish the journey where it began, with time to reflect on the week’s changing landscapes over a final riverside walk or a relaxed evening stroll beneath the castle walls.
- Cycling for the day: 26km, ↑30m ↓30m
- Accommodation: Hotel SB Corona Tortosa or similar in Tortosa
Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of small, locally-owned hotels and B&Bs. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view sample hotels
- Hotel SB Corona Tortosa (Tortosa)
- Hotel Montsià (Amposta)
- Delta Hotel (Deltebre)
- Hotel Juanito Platja (La Ràpita)
Hotels are subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide you with the exact accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from some hotels the night before. Dinner is available from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This trip is rated easy to moderate (read more about difficulty grades) and is suitable for cyclists with a good level of fitness, with most days varying between 26-54km. The routes follow mostly flat terrain and most parts on unpaved gravel roads or trails.
We will provide detailed route notes and maps (in digital format) and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from March to November. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date within the season. Different seasons offer different experiences, for example spring and autumn are ideal for birdwatching while summer is better to enjoy beach activities.
We recommend visiting Ebro Delta in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to November). These months offer ideal weather for hiking, cycling and birdwatching, while avoiding the intense summer heat and peak mosquito season.
The climate in this region of Catalonia is Mediterranean, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild winters. The most comfortable conditions for cycling are typically found in spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October), when temperatures are moderate. During summer, particularly in July and certainly August, daytime highs often exceed 30C, so it’s advisable to begin rides early in the day to avoid the peak heat. To find out more about when to go, take a look at our blogs, Best time to go to Catalonia and Best time to go to Spain.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Reus Airport (REU). The alternative airport is Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Spain without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a railway station in Tortosa, which is 5mins by taxi (or 20mins by walking) to the hotel where the tour begins and ends. For more details, see the national rail operator Renfe or use the Omio planner above.
- From Reus Airport take a taxi to either Tarragona train station (20mins) or to Vila-seca train station (11mins) to take the R16 train to Tortosa (1h 18mins from Tarragona, 1h 10mins from Vila-seca) – the same train line serves both stations.
- From Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, take the R2N train to Barcelona Sants (20mins) and the R16 train to Tortosa (2h 40mins).
- Private transfers to and from the airport and the hotel in Tortosa can be arranged on request.
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights accommodation
- 5 breakfasts
- Daily luggage transfers (one piece per person, max 15kg)
- Digital Tour materials: detailed roadbook including maps (digital format), a navigation app for smartphones, GPS tracks. Please note that no printed documents will be provided on-site.
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- International flights and land transfers
- Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks
- Tourist tax
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Optional bike insurance if available
- Additional travel-related changes in the programme due to bad weather
- Entrance fees for attractions including wineries and museums
- Personal expenses
- Any items not specifically mentioned as included in the programme
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Bike rental
- Extra nights
Bike rental
Choose from mountain bike rental or e-bike rental. All bikes come with helmet, flat pedals, multi-tool, extra inner tube, hand pump, tyre levers, one bottle cage holder and one complimentary bottle. Bike rental includes a phone holder; however, to ensure a correct fit for your device, it is highly recommended that you bring a spare one specific to your device, as this will be crucial for your tour.
CANNONDALE Scalpel HT CRB 4
- Model: MTB with front suspension 100mm
- Frame: Carbon frame
- Brakes: hydraulic disc brakes
- Transmission: Shimano XT with 12-speed system
- Wheel/tyre: 29-inch tyres
CANNONDALE MOTERRA 4 + 2026
- Model: E-bike MTB with front suspension 150mm and Bosch engine
- Frame: Aluminum frame
- Brakes: hydraulic disc brakes
- Bosch Performance Line CX motor and a battery up to 800 Wh
- Wheel/tyre: 29-inch tyres
Sample pictures shown above, please note that the exact models may differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same. Note that the standard rental only includes basic flat pedals. Travellers can request different pedals upon booking, although this may carry a small supplement depending on days, pedal type and number of bikes.
Spain’s legal requirement for personal information
Please note: in December 2024, the Spanish government introduced a new law making it a legal obligation for all visitors to Spain to share personal details with their accommodations and car rental companies. Consequently, as we book your accommodation for you, we are obliged to pass these on to our local partners on the ground. After booking your holiday, we will send you a form to complete requesting all the legally-required information, including: name, nationality, gender, passport number, DOB, address, phone numbers and email address. This applies to all travellers aged 14 and over. If you are travelling with people under 14 years old, you need to declare your relationship to them. We apologise for any inconvenience. For more information, see here.
