Around the Massís de Ports there are some fantastic local and regional roads that connect the three cities of Tortosa, Morella and Alcañiz.
These scenic roads pass through lovely landscapes and will allow you to discover a legendary territory.
The stages have been carefully designed to combine the kilometres while making discoveries. Longer stages, which may approach or even exceed 100km, are complemented by shorter stages around the main towns to allow riders an opportunity to recover before tackling the spectacular and tough final challenge of the climb up Mont Caro.
THROUGH LANDS OF THOUSAND YEAR OLD OLIVE TREES AND THE TINENÇA OF BENIFASSÀ
A great start to the 3 kingdoms route from Tortosa with impressive views of the Ports mountains. The route gradually enters a sea of olive trees which will be our companion until the entrance to the Ports mountain range.
From here, a lovely mountain stage with an ascendant start will allow us to discover the dominions of the Tinença of Benifassà (lands that belonged to the Santa Maria Abbey, the first Cistercian monastery in Valencia, that Jaume I, The Conqueror, ordered built in the year 1237) and at the end a descent which will give us our first view of Morella that will leave you speechless.
DISCOVERING THE PORTS AND THE MAESTRAT
A circular stage with the start and end in Morella which will permit us to pedal along roads to discover the Ports and the Maestrat territories and some of their wonderful landscapes and villages.
WILD AND IMPRESSIVE NATURE
Starting with a climb on a stage which is mainly downhill which goes into the Ports mountain range with amazing mountain views, among them, the captivating “Roques del Masmut” and the chance to discover villages such as Penaroja de Tastavins or Ràfels (146-inhabitants).
Rural lands, cultivated by hand, which is also the most inhospitable and unknown part of the Matarranya. A gentle stage among fields of crops that will take us on a lingering descent to the capital of Bajo Aragon Histórico: Alcañiz. A Town crowned by an imposing fortress: The castle of the Calatravos.
DISCOVERING THE BAJO ARAGÓN HISTÓRICO
A simple, circular stage which will introduce you to the great plain called Bajo Aragon Histórico, among the grasslands that give the landscapes different tones depending on the season.
This is the homeland of the famous movie maker Luís Buñuel, who was born in the neighbouring town of Calanda.
THE SPANISH TUSCANY, PICASSO AND WHERE WATER IS LIFE
With this convincing sentence, Picasso described the landscapes that inspired his magnificent work. A great stage that takes us from the Matarranya to the Terra Alta, from Aragon to Catalonia. Sceneries which once again make us feel as if we were in our Tuscany pedalling among the vineyards to discover the wonderful medieval towns of Vallderoures and Fresneda, two jewels of this stage, to arrive at Horta de Sant Joan, gateway to Els Ports Natural Park and where the genius, Picasso lived twice during his life.
An easy stage which is practically all downhill whose last section shows us the beauty and the magnificence of the Ebro river, which gave its name to the Iberian Peninsula, and brings life to the lands of the Terres de l’Ebre and to its inhabitants along its course. In fact, it will accompany us until the historical two thousand-year-old city of Tortosa and the castle which crowned it: The Suda Castle.
MOUNT CARO, THE BIG CHALLENGE
24th March 2023, Tour of Catalonia, Roglic and Evenepoel arrive at the foot of Mount Caro tied on time and ready to attack…
On the last stage of the 3 Kingdoms route you will feel as if you were one of the great world-famous cyclists. Mount Caro is considered to be an HC (Hors category climb) with its series of hairpin bends, locally known as the “snail stretch” and with a final ascent which is not suitable for everybody to attempt.
The Challenge: climb Mount Caro, 1,448m, the highest peak in Tarragona Province.
But, once you are at the top, you can enjoy the magical views of the whole 3 kingdoms territory, … and then you still have the descent to come!
Plaça Carles III, 24
43540 La Ràpita (Tarragona)
Phone:+34 977 745 541
e-Mail: info@els3regnes.com
We have been awarded the CARTANYA 2024 AWARD, granted by the Diputació de Tarragona.
