Ancient shadows

La Palma d’Ebre is a unique village in the region. While almost everyone is close to or close to the river, La Palma is in the middle of a country full of hills, ravines and mountains. Maybe that’s why he added the name of the river to his name, to always keep in mind his Ebre identity. La Palma has never abandoned its deep agricultural character and they have moved heaven and earth to be able to count on water for their crops. Thus was born its reservoir, a sheet of water that surprises in the middle of a dry landscape. The farmers here know full well that this land gives nothing away, but that if you work it, it is full of vigor and energy.

This is easy to see by admiring the sensational La Palma pine or Cal Pino pine, a huge Pinus halepensis, which is the thickest in all of Catalonia. This monumental tree grows between fields of almond and olive trees, above the Pla del Sant, from where it has a privileged view of the village. In fact, he has been observing and gossiping about the lives of his neighbors for more than four hundred years. Experts do not quite understand where the health, vigor and energy of this venerable tree comes from. To stand under it is to be welcomed by an ancient living being that continues to provide shade and protection. In the Ribera d’Ebre it is common to find large specimens of pines; in the past, almost every farm took care of one. The reason is precisely to serve as a shelter for people, wild animals and herds in the leaden summer sun.

The proposal has two well-differentiated parts. Even the reservoir is recommended for all audiences. From there, there are more demanding ups and downs. You leave the village along Carrer de la Bassa del Pi. After a short climb you reach the Pla del Sant, where the majestic Cal Pino pine tree grows. Continue along the track that leads to the reservoir. Follow the path that turns around taking it from the dam. You return to the track and continue uphill. Practically at the top, you go to the right, towards the Poncet pass, where you take the path on the left that goes down to the olive groves of Les Obagues. You cross the Sant Pere pass and continue the walk towards the irrigation pumping station. Before reaching it, take a steep descent to the left. It is the path of the Estoldrans. You leave after crossing the bottom of the coma, to take, on the left, the old path from Bovera to La Palma d’Ebre, which goes up making loops to the Coll de la Creu. Just follow it to get back to the village.