Between tasty mosaics

If nature saw the eagerness we humans put into drawing boundaries about territory, it would be a kind of laugh. The small and charming village of Darmós is a good example of the gentle transitions between the Priorat and the Ribera d’Ebre. It is located in the municipality of Tivissa, on the Ribera d’Ebre, but, for example, its renowned wines come out under the D.O. Montsant. The proposed excursion is a pleasant walk that captures the deeply agrarian character of this territory, as well as the beauty of the mosaics of crops that, as true artists, draw the farmers of these lands.

The route starts at the western end of Carrer d’Avall (near the Joan d’Anguera winery). Take the Camí de les Valls (concreted) which descends quickly to find the old road from Darmós to Móra la Nova. Later, the path crosses under the railway and continues downhill gently. Then leave to continue in a SW direction, cross the Nolla ravine and look for the Coscollers path. Then continue to Darmós by the Pylon.

When you reach the height, the village turns towards it following the path of the Canal del Pantà that carried the water from the Guiamets reservoir. Describing wide zigzags to adapt to the relief, the path crosses some patches of forest and allows you to find the concrete path of Les Valls, below the village. The route passes through a sensational mix of vineyards, olive groves and orchards. The views over Darmós, built on a balcony overlooking the valley, are magnificent.

Near the washhouses of the village you can admire the Mata de Darmós, a huge mastic listed as a monumental tree and listed on its coat of arms. The popular saying warns that “whoever goes to Darmós and does not see the bush, is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope”.