The celebration, held at the Torre de la Carrova, marked the culmination of a large-scale project that began over two years ago. This expansion of the Greenway has been promoted by the Diputació de Tarragona in collaboration with the municipalities of Roquetes, Tortosa, Amposta, and La Ràpita, with a total investment of 6.3 million euros.
Funding included 5 million euros from the European Next Generation Recovery Funds, within the framework of the “Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan” and the call for Sustainable Tourism Plans in Destinations (PSTD). The action has allowed for the recovery and adaptation of the old railway line, which now links the two natural parks of the Terres de l'Ebre: Els Ports and the Ebro Delta, extending the route to the sea.
Among the most notable works, in May of last year, the Greenway's green bridge was installed, a 90-meter walkway that crosses the AP-7 and the C-12. Additionally, protective railings, informative panels, signage have been installed, trees have been planted, and the surface of the path has been improved.
“"A strategic infrastructure for the Terres de l'Ebre is completed, both for citizens and for visitors and the business fabric, as it is a top-notch attraction for responsible tourism and will help boost the economic activity of the passing municipalities."
The new Greenway strengthens the cycling tourism offer of the Terres de l'Ebre, especially for the family segment. The Diputació's Tourism Board has developed a digital route planner that includes all cyclable routes and associated tourist services, allowing users to customize their itineraries. Audiovisual resources have also been created to promote the route in various markets.
This infrastructure promotes sustainable tourism development in the Terres de l'Ebre, a territory declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, integrating harmoniously with the environment. The objective is to attract respectful tourists interested in the natural surroundings, heritage, and gastronomy of the area, contributing to the deseasonalization of tourism, as it is particularly attractive during spring and autumn.
The Val de Zafán Greenway reclaims the route of the old railway line projected in 1863 and inaugurated in 1942, which was intended to connect La Puebla de Híjar (Teruel) with La Ràpita. After 31 years in service and never completed, it was definitively closed on September 17, 1973, leading years later to its recovery as a space to enjoy nature.
