STARTING POINT: EBRO DELTA
END POINT: LOGROÑO
DISTANCE: 440 km
The Ebro Way comes from the Mediterranean ports upstream the river for 440 km. Its beginning is the Ebro Delta and goes up the Ebro river valley to Logroño, where it joins the French Way coming from Roncesvalles. Thirty kilometres before Zaragoza, between Pina de Ebro and Fuentes de Ebro, the Way converges with the Catalan Way through Zaragoza coming from Montserrat. From this point on it can be called both the Catalan Way and the Ebro Way.
History
This route starts at Deltebre / Ebro Delta, one of the most beautiful natural parks in Spain. The value of its biodiversity is immeasurable, with its marshes inhabited by large flocks of pink flamingos. Except for a few stages, the rest of the way runs along the banks of the river Ebro, passing through Tortosa, Zaragoza and Tudela. This route also largely overlaps another important pilgrimage route that has recently been recovered: the Ignatian Way.
The historical origin of the Ebro Way dates back to the 12th century, after the Christian reconquests of the main cities of the Ebro valley, when believers from France, Italy, and many other places, arrived by boat to Sant Carles de la Ràpita to embark on the pilgrimage to the tomb of the saint. According to tradition, Saint James himself, in his apostolic work, travelled the Ebro Way from Tarragona, as numerous legends have it, the best known of which tells of the apparition of the Virgin Mary on top of a pillar in Zaragoza.
Along the section in Navarre, it runs through several towns with points of interest, such as the castle of Cortes, the Mudejar-style bell tower of Ribaforada, the Templar church of Cabanillas, the old sluice-gate house of Bocal, the impressive historical district of Tudela and the railway town of Castejón. From here, it leaves Navarre and continues upstream the Ebro until it joins the French Way in Logroño.
Information for the pilgrim in navarra
In Navarre, the way runs through a landscape of contrasts, with areas of fertile crops facing the barrenness of the Bardenas Reales Natural Park. The Ebro Way only crosses one small area in the territory of Navarre that is divided into two sections, and then continues towards Logroño through La Rioja.
First section: From Cortes to Tudela, the way follows the river Ebro. Although it has no slopes, it is long and has no shady stretches, so make sure you protect yourself from the sun.
Second section: From Tudela to Castejón it follows the track of the Cañada Real (Royal Cattleway), through some areas listed as a nature reserve.