... Urgell's Canal
"Lleida, Land of Channels" says the slogan of the first stage of the route along Urgell's Canal. And that's exactly what it's all about: an expedition into the tunnel that goes from Marcobau to Castle Montclar. An indispensable walk for those who wish to meet up close with two of the most important engineering works of the time: Urgell's Canal itself and the Castle of Montclar. This route may only be done during Autumn or Winter, and a permit from the Casa de Canal is required. The excursion is not overly risky, but be sure to bring along waterproof boots, raincoat, helmet, and flashlight.
The Tunnel of Montclar may be said to be a truly emblematic work, since it was the largest and longest in Europe for a long time. It took 8 years to construct-from November 1853 through November 1861. Its U-shaped section is lined with stone, and the tunnel's slope gradient is 1 metre per kilometre. A monolith was erected at the end of the tunnel in Montclar to commemorate the construction. The tunnel is some five kilometres long and it is a sheering experience to walk through. It's really exciting to see the light on the other end grow little by little, since the 5-kilometre tunnel is perfectly straight and you can always see through to the end of it.
You may consult the section on available activities visiting the web www.castellsdelleida.com and contact for an organized tour.
