El Pinell de Brai between Ebro history and the Via Verda

History and architectural heritage

El Pinell de Brai combines the history of the Battle of the Ebro with a modernist winery, distinctive houses above a cliff face and special memorial sites. Les Veus del Front is an interpretation centre of the Espais de la Batalla de l'Ebre with an audiovisual exhibition about the role of news and propaganda during the Battle of the Ebro. Exhibition opening hours should be checked in advance. In the town centre are the Cases Caigudes, a building complex destroyed by artillery bombardments during the Battle of the Ebro.

The Celler Cooperatiu de Pinell de Brai is a modernist winery whose construction was entrusted to Cèsar Martinell in 1919. El Pinell de Brai also has houses that hang above a cliff face. The Catedral del Vi contains an old olive oil mill.

Landscape

The Cota 705 viewpoint in the Serra de Pàndols offers panoramic views from the Serra del Montsant to the Aragonese comarca of Matarranya, across Ribera d'Ebre and Baix Ebre. The Serres de Pàndols i Cavalls are included in Catalonia's Pla d'Espais d'Interès Natural (PEIN). South of the municipality of El Pinell de Brai, the Canaletes runs through a gorge. It is one of the few watercourses in the comarca that carry water all year round; the site is suitable for resting or swimming.

Other destinations at the same level are Amposta, L'aldea, Pira, Passanant, L'aleixar, Bonastre, Bellmunt del Priorat and Vallclara.

Routes and activities

The Via Verda de la Terra Alta is intended for outings on foot, by bicycle or on horseback. It follows a 23.6-kilometre section between Arnes and El Pinell de Brai along the former Vall de Zafán railway line. The good surface and lack of obstacles make the Via Verda de la Terra Alta suitable for wheelchair users. For outings by bicycle, on foot or on horseback, it is advisable to check the current route conditions before setting off. The Ruta de la Pau complements the network of routes as a longer hiking connection: it is a 74-kilometre circular route that uses GR and PR paths.

Getting there and picnic areas

El Pinell de Brai can be reached via the C-43 road. The former Pinell de Brai station at Venta del Riu is a rest area as well as a starting or ending point of the Via Verda and can be reached by motorised vehicles. The former El Pinell de Brai station has parking spaces, a leisure area and a picnic area. For the use of picnic areas and leisure areas, travellers should also check the applicable times in advance, where such times have been set for visits.

The municipal campsite in the town of El Pinell de Brai has 28 pitches, each measuring 45 square metres. The site includes hot-water showers, toilets, drinking water, bicycle parking and electrical connections for caravans.

To the higher-level travel overview: Tarragona.