Introduction
The plain, the apples and the river
A circular route which starts in the pretty village of Ullà and goes across the Ullà plain as far as the Ter dam. This is a quintessential agricultural plain, where lines of apple trees mapped out with a ruler, are especially noteworthy. You can enjoy the scenic corners of the village of Ullà, the bank of the river Ter and the agricultural character of the river plain, with the ever-present Montgrí and the mountain of Ullà as a backdrop, and some interesting notes, like a centuries-old oak in the middle of the plain and a small shelter from the Spanish Civil War.
We recommend the Local Natura App to do this route. Download it for free here:
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TypologyAnti-clockwise circular
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DifficultyEasy
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Duration2 hours 20 minutes
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Slope40.00 meters
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Distance8.00 km
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ThemeFlora and faunaEnvironmentArchitecture and environment
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ActivityBy footBy bike
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Rating
Slope graph
Description
The plain, the apples and the river
This route starts from the village of Ullà, from the parking spaces on Carrer del Mestre Eliseu Carbó. Before entering the village, which you do twice, once on the outward leg and once on the return leg, set off straight away on a track which briefly passes through the outskirts and takes you to see Mas Xiquet, one of the notable farmhouses in the area.
Now the path takes you into the first part of the tour of the village, passing the gate on Carrer Muntanya, the little Plaça de Sant Andreu, the Church and Carrer de Jeroni Pujol, from where you leave the village to seek the Camí Fondo, which takes you without hesitation across the Ullà agricultural plain.
Above all, this plain offers irrigation channels and linear views of rows of apple trees, but it can also seduce you with little details: a row of cypresses offering protection from the onslaught of the wind, a centuries-old oak, a tamarisk that grows and grows, an irrigation channel full of life…
Further down, now alongside the river Ter, leave the Camí Fondo and turn following the direction of the river, as though you wanted to accompany it to the sea. The river, although it is now very nearby, is hidden behind thick reedbeds and riverside trees. Like how the people who spent periods in the shelter here hid from the ravages of the Spanish Civil War. Further on, the track becomes faint, the vegetation and the river’s floods often change the appearance of the area. Luckily, though, you have the reference point of the crops which are a little further in, protected from the disorder of the river. If you are on a bike, you might have to get off here and push for a short distance.
You return to the farm tracks and, now the river appears before you in its full breadth, just next to a grove that offers good shade. Further on is the dam, where the water plays at branching here and there, indifferent to its productive fate.
You are now close to the village, which you enter from another side, taking the opportunity to look at the Carrer dels Bous, the Plaça de l’Ajuntament, the Carrer de la Volta and the Carrer de la Muntanya, on your way back to the starting point of this excursion.
Tips
ROUTE
- An easy route, almost entirely on rural tracks and paths. However, in the river area, the paths can be easily lost, depending on floods and the growth of the reeds and the thick vegetation. We recommend following the faintest stretch on the side of the nearby crops (follow the route on the app).
- If you are going by bike, on the river section you might have to get off and cross some obstacles on foot.
WATER
- Water might be available just before setting off, in Ullà. Despite this, in the summer, we recommend taking plenty of water with you.
PRECAUTIONS
- The paths and tracks you walk on can be very busy with tractors and other vehicles depending on the time of the year. In any case, when on foot, it is better to walk on the left-hand side facing the direction of the traffic.
- In case of wet weather, beware of possible raised water levels in the river and do not get too close to the banks, especially if you have children with you.
- Take care when crossing the dam, especially if you have children with you.
WEATHER
- The route is on the open plain and has little shade. Protect yourself well from the effects of the sun.
TERRAIN
- The terrain is easy on all of the route, except, perhaps, the river area where you might find stretches which are a bit muddy.
EQUIPMENT
- Hiking poles might help on the long trail sections.
- Binoculars and a camera for watching the bird life and photographing the scenery of the Empordanet.
OTHER FACILITIES
- In Ullà there are bars, restaurants, accommodation and information services about the area.
