TRAIL RUNNING IN EL PLA D'URGELL
El Pla d’Urgell is a relatively recently created comarca (local district), whose existence dates from March 1988. It has a total surface area of 304 km2, a population of over 28,000 and 16 municipalities, which are all irrigated by the Canal d’Urgell. Mollerussa is both the geographic and economic centre of El Pla d’Urgell and the natural capital of the comarca.
The economy of El Pla has a predominantly agricultural base, with intensive, irrigated crop farming: forage, cereals, market garden products and fruit trees. Livestock farms, especially those rearing pigs, cattle and poultry, also play an important part in the local economy. The district’s industry, like its services, is mainly concentrated in Mollerussa and tends to be associated with the food sector.
The construction of the Canal d’Urgell completely changed both the economy and appearance of El Pla and transformed what had been hard terrain into rich, irrigated land. This network, which was inaugurated in 1861, but not completely finished until 1865, includes a total of 144 km of canals. Two of the comarca’s newest attractions are: The Espai Cultural del Canal d’Urgell (Cultural Space of the Canal d’Urgell), which was recently opened at the Casa Canal (Home of the Canal) in Mollerussa; and the Routes along the Canal d’Urgell. It is also important to highlight the recently recovered Estany d’Ivars i Vila-sana pool and wetland area.
The gentle, flat scenery of the area makes rambling another popular attraction in this comarca, though it is also important to discover how its villages have conserved their past and traditions, in the form of its local festivities, fairs, and rich and succulent gastronomy. It is also possible to discover the local cuisine in some of the comarca’s many highly-reputed restaurants.
LINYOLA 23K
Total distance: 23 km
Elevation gain: 70 m.
Start point: Linyola
Finish point: Linyola
Min. height: 236 m.
Max. height: 264 m.
Description of the route
LINYOLA 23K
The Pla d’Urgell offers us the possibility of training on practically flat dirt tracks. Workouts in the middle of nature and surrounded by fields that will offer us a different visual spectacle depending on the season. Lovers of asphalt and racing at a steady pace will find here a great place to train on the flat and away from traffic and congestion.
With this idea we present a circuit in which we will get a very clear image of what the region is: with its water canalization system, its extensive orchards, corn and vineyards.
Leaving Linyola, we will do the first few kilometers crossing dry plantations, then we will go around a magnificent space for bird watching, the Ibars Lake, and we will cross the Castell del Remei and its precious vineyards, to return to Linyola following the canal.
It will undoubtedly be a different experience both for those who are normally looking for mountains and forests, and for those who are used to the plain but in more urban environments.
The route is partly signposted following the indications of the lake but and the Castell, in any case it will be very easy to follow with the GPS, with few and obvious turns on the route
We will find some stretches of inevitable asphalt along the route, but the route itself is beautiful enough and a good place to train the race at a steady pace.
It is advisable to bring water because throughout the route we will only find one source in Almassor.
