Getaway Les Tines de la Vall del Flequer

I cannot excuse myself for not having known the history of the area or the Bages Terra de Vins project before. I write it with my head down and with guilt. I am often interested in places that are far away when the ones we have at home are amazing.

My relationship with them has passed through three phases:

• First one, the discovery, was through social networks. So cold, from home, and without exchanging dialogue with anyone.
• Second one, curiosity and  "hook", I lived it browsing its website. I was in front of a project that had a lot in common with Raconets. Both want to promote alternative and local tourism while avoiding the social masses.
• The third one, experience, lived in first person with Ricard. He lives the area with respect and speaks of the history with passion. He wants to publicize his land, without letting it sell at any price. Great!

It is just for this last point that I recommend doing the guided tour with Bages Terra de Vins. The explanations "in situ" helps to understand and know the area and the history behind that beautiful natural scenario.

The meeting point with them is the Ca n'Oristrell car park in Bages. The circular route begins there, on foot, through the Parc Natural de Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obach. It is almost 6 km long with a maximum altitude of 400 meters. Aside from a climb, the rest is affordable and easy to walk. The path is perfectly signposted.

It is a unique heritage in Catalunya. They are dry stone constructions that are located where vineyards and olive trees were placed in the past. This was done in this way to have more time to collect the grapes and avoid losing the wages with the transport. In the vats the grape was thrown and carved with the men tied with ropes. Then it was left to ferment right there. Next to the tubs there is always a barrack to protect "la boixa", which is the hole through which the wine came out.

The first stop is at the Tines del Bleda. It takes about fifteen minutes to arrive. Perhaps they are the least spectacular; but, being the first, they already get all the attention! In just over seven minutes you reach the Tines del Tosques... these are another story! It consists of four tubs. They are like silent and elegant giants who take care of the Natural Park. These impressed me. Twenty minutes is what it takes to get to the Tines del Escudelleta. Physically they are not as awesome as the previous ones; but here is a magical moment. At last I came out of doubts with the curiosity I had in mind during the whole walk: why did Ricard carry such a large backpack to do a route that he does with his eyes closed?

Without saying anything, he opens his backpack and takes out a tablecloth. He puts it on the stone and begins to fill it: a glass jar with Arbequina olives, a small basket with just picked figs, delicious cheese and two bottles of local wine (black and white served in glass cups!). You can't imagine how I enjoyed that moment. Reflection moment in which I can only say that we are privileged.

I continued the walk, now with more panoramic views, with a smile from ear to ear.

Half an hour by car there is the lovely hotel La Garriga de Castelladral. Perfect to sleep after the excursion. And just 20 minutes away there is the well-known restaurant Cal Carter in Mura.

Thanks Bages Terra de Vins for doing things right.

Do not hesitate to send an mail if you need help in the organization!

Being a guided route, with the explanations of the guide and the questions of the visitors, the tour lasts almost three hours.

No problem.

No problem.