Discover Peach Blossom in Aitona, Spain
The Peach Blossom Route in Aitona Catalonia
Most people have heard of the Keukenhof Holland tulips park in the Netherlands, or the lavender fields in Provence, France, but few are aware of the Peach Pink Blossom Route in Aitona, Catalonia.
Aitona is a town of approximately 2,500 people in Segrià Catalonia, Spain. It is situated 190 km to the west of central Barcelona. During the early spring, the peaches and apricots begin to blossom; fields are flooded with striking pink and burst into a unique color on the Catalonia land. These scenes are so mesmerizing that they formed part of the filming location directed by Carles Porta in the movie, Segon Origen.
Presently in Aitona, there are 8,500 hectares of fruit trees with an annual production of 150 million kilos. Aitona attracts nearly 20,000 visitors annually to witness the flowers in bloom. It’s a paradise for flower, nature, and photography lovers. If you want to be certain of seeing the full bloom, you can follow the hashtag #fruiturisme on Instagram.
What is Aitona Fruiturisme
“Aitona fruiturisme” is a concept that originated in the town of Aitona, located in the province of Lleida, Catalonia, Spain. It refers to a type of rural tourism that revolves around the cultivation and consumption of local fruits, specifically the Aitona peach.
Visitors to Aitona can participate in a variety of activities related to the cultivation and harvesting of peaches, such as picking the fruit, learning about the cultivation process, and even participating in the local peach festival. Additionally, visitors can enjoy local cuisine that prominently features the Aitona peach, such as peach jam, peach liqueur, and peach pastries.
The concept of “Aitona fruiturisme” promotes sustainable tourism that supports the local economy and promotes the preservation of the region’s agricultural traditions. It allows visitors to experience the rural lifestyle and connect with the local community while enjoying the natural beauty of the region.
Explore the Sea of Pink by Foot: Walking Routes
One of the best ways to explore and enjoy the sweetly-scented flowery fields is to take a good hike around the region. There are several walking trails available. You can enjoy panoramic views of an exceptional landscape that shows the peach blossoms in their surroundings.
A hiking tour usually begins with the highest point, where you can have a broad view of the beautiful landscape. Then you can continue to a beautiful peach-pink blossom route accompanied by your local guide, with detailed explanations. Most walks conclude with a visit to Aitona’s historical sites.
Ruta de l’arbre fruiter
The route begins in the area of the municipal sports center and continues through the fields until it reaches the Segre River. It is a relatively easy and flat walk of 6 km, which takes an average of 1 h 15 mins to travel. This route is available by biking too.
Ruta de Serra Brisa
A 4.45km length route that you can complete approximately in 1 h 20 min. The walking route will take you to the Romanesque hermitage of Sant Joan de Carratalà. Ruta de Serra Brisa requires a climb up the hill that allows you to get a panoramic view of the pink scenery of Aitona. This route is available by mountain biking too.
Camí Verd Natural Soses-Aitona
Camí Verd Natural Soses-Aitona is a 10 km pleasant and easy route. It borders the Segre River, which follows the water stream through the pink fields.
Ruta del Pantà d’Utxesa
Try this 7.5 km loop trail that goes from the village of Aitona to a nearby swamp, Utxesa. It takes an average of 1 h 30 min to complete. It is excellent for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running.
Ruta de Robert Capa
Ruta de Robert Capa is an interesting route inaugurated in 2021 to expand the Fruitruisme project. This new discovery route offers amazing peach blossom views but also the historical heritage of the municipality. The trail is a tribute to the people and soldiers who suffered from the Spanish Civil War. Most importantly, the famous photographer, Robert Capa, documented the war. It is a 1 km route with 11 stations that share several in-depth stories about the war.
Joining the Peach Blossom Tour
If you are alone and would like to find an interesting group that shares the same hobby as you, Meetup App is an excellent platform. During the peach blossom season, type in the keywords “peach blossom”; several tours will pop out for you to select. Book early and search for a reliable tour guide. Be sure to check the reviews.
General Hiking Tour Inteniery
- 9:00 am meet in the center of Barcelona
- 9:10 am depart city to Aitona
- 11:00 am-11:30 am breakfast in the village of Aitona
- 11:30 am-12:00 am head over to the hiking trail
- 7 pm depart Aitona for Barcelona
Total Distance: 12 km
Difficulty Level: Easy
Estimated Completion Time: 3 hours 30 mins
Essentials for a Walking Tour
Proper Walking Boots: It may sound obvious, but this is the one thing you must get right. A comfortable walking shoe can change your entire experience.
Backpack: A bag is essential to carry a water bottle or hydration system, and sometimes a map and a torch in a more challenging hike.
Water: It is essential to bring water with you to keep yourself hydrated and alert, and to flush out waste products of the body.
Sunscreen: If you plan to be outside, experts recommend applying 15–30 SPF sunscreen even on cloudy days.
A Hat: It makes a significant difference on hot days.
Snacks: Bananas and dried fruit are excellent choices. You will need to keep calories balanced in order to maintain the energy for the walking tour.
An Extra Layer: An wind-proof extra layer is always a great idea to enhance your comfort in case of weather changes.
General Information
Best Time to Go
The ideal time to see the peach blossom is March. The process usually starts during the second week of March and lasts about 15 days. Cold winters may delay the flowering process. Futurisme local tourism information is the best place to find the dates and offers.
Get to Aitona Catalonia
The distance between Barcelona and Aitona is 143 km. The road distance is 186km.
The cheapest way to do the journey is by bus, operated by ALSA, arriving at Lleida station. Keep in mind that there is no direct bus; you need to transfer at Lleida station., which takes around 4h 30m
The quickest way is driving, which takes around 2 hours from Barcelona.
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