The route
The Volta a la Tenalla has a high natural, geological and ethnological value. You will discover the Tenalla, Fredes (a small village) and Portell del Infern. The route goes through a part of the old brindle path between La Sénia in Catalonia, and Fredes in Valencia. In addition, it also goes through the natural road between Fredes and El Boixar, which now is part of the GR7 trail.
This route is available all year, and in Fredes there is a bar and a source of drinking water. In winter you should take into account the weather conditions, as it can be really windy over there, so you should make sure you are well equipped. The snow can be a problem as well, so the weather forecast should be checked in advance.
In order to get to the starting point, you should go to Ulldecona Lake and go along the forest track that starts next to the bridge for 2 km. At the start of the route there is an esplanade and ‘Fredes’ traffic signs.
You will start the route from an uphill part of the track until you will find the Portell trail some hundreds of meters ahead. The route keeps on being uphill through the Estrets de la Ronyosa and Solà d’en Brull until you will get to Coll del Ferri. At this point the route changes from the Portell path to the Barranc del Teutalí, below the Serra de la Borulla. An amazing trail for running will lead you to the Palmereta. Almost 400 m+ will keep you apart from the trees that you will cross to follow the Font de la Figuera trail.
At the highest point you will find a trough that, normally, springs water. You will follow the same path until the Mas Nou, where you will cross the road again in order to link to the GR7. You will then follow this one for some meters until you will get to Fredes. Once there, you can take water from the fountain, eat at the restaurant or rest for a while.
From Fredes, you will take the old path that will lead you to La Sénia and when you will get to Font del Teix, you will follow the PRCV 75-2 that goes to Salt del Robert. Later, you will go down the path in Barranc del Salt. Once you get down, you will get to Salt del Robert, a 30-meter-tall waterfall and a declared flora micro-reserve. Keep on going down following the same path until you will turn right and follow the Cubanos trail, which will lead you to the lowest point of Portell del Infern.
In these limestone walls you will find Ports endemic spices, such as the large-flowered butterwort or dragon flowers. If you are lucky, you may also see Spanish goats and enjoy the vulture’s flying. Finally, you will come back to Coll del Ferri through Mas Joan.
