| Ports de Tortosa-Beseit | |
|---|---|
Rocky outcrops at els Ports |
|
| Elevation | 1,441 m (4,728 ft) |
| Listing | List of mountains in Aragon |
| Location | |
|
Ports de Tortosa-Beseit
Baix Ebre & Montsià ( Catalonia) Baix Maestrat ( Valencian Community) |
|
| Range | Iberian System |
| Geology | |
| Type | Karstic |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Drive from Roquetes on the western side or from Beseit on the eastern |
Ports de Tortosa-Beseit (Valencian pronunciation: [ˈpɔɾts ðe toɾˈtoza beˈzejt]), also known as Ports de Beseit, or simply as Els Ports or Lo Port by locals, is a limestone mountain massif located at the north-eastern end of the Sistema Ibérico, a complex system of mountain ranges and massifs in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula. Its highest point is Mont Caro, 1,441 m.[1] Rivers like the Matarranya and the Sénia have their source in these mountains.
Contents |
At the 1350 m high Tossal dels Tres Reis (Peak of the Three Kings), where the borders of the ancient Kingdoms of Valencia, Catalonia and Aragon meet, there is a cairn marking the meeting point of the ancient three kingdoms of the Crown of Aragon.
It is mostly a limestone massif, with many steep cliffs, jagged peaks, deep valleys, shafts and caves. The area is mostly uninhabited except for small villages. These mountains were one of the last redoubts of the Spanish Maquis in the 1940s and 50s.[2]
One of the largest colonies of griffon vultures in Europe, as well as Spanish Ibex, Roe Deer, Wild Boar, European badgers, common genets, among others, have their habitat in these lonely mountains.[3]
The vegetation of the Ports is rich and varied. Besides the Mediterranean species, there are also species belonging to Alpine flora and colder temperate regions at high altitudes and in protected valleys.[4]
The Ports Massif comprises several mountain ranges, like the Muntanyes de Benifassà, Serra de les Falconeres, Serra del Àguila, Serra de Rastell, Los Curullons, Moles de Raudorar, Serra de la Fortalesa, Serra de Caro, Serra de la Puca, Serra de Rafalgari, Serra de Paüls, Serra de les Deveres, Serra de l'Escaleta, Serra d'Encanader, Serra del Pedregal, Serra del Coc and Serra de l'Espina.[5] The latter, located at its northern end, connects with the Catalan Pre-Coastal Range.
Some of the main peaks of the massif are: Mont Caro (1447 m), the highest point, Castell de l'Airosa, Tossal d'en Cervera, Mola del Boix, Mola del Boixet, el Castellar, la Portella del Pinell, Curullons, el Negrell, Punta de l'Àliga, Farrubio, Penyaflor, Mola de Catí, Tossal dels Tres Reis, Tossa Blanca, Roques de Benet, Penyagalera, Mola de Lli, Tossal de Tall Nou, Tossal de l'Espada, la Ballestera, Mola de la Paridera, Muntanyola, La Tossa, Mola Castellona, Tossal de Joan Gran, Tossal de la Forca, Tossal d'en Grillo, Muntanya de Santa Bàrbara, L'Espina and La Moleta d'Alfara.
There are two natural parks in the massif; there is no protected area on the Aragonese side: