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E40

HardCatalonia · Spain

GPX
Distance
28.5 km (17.7 mi)
Elevation gain
627 m (2,057 ft)
Estimated time
7 hr 17 min
Difficulty
Hard
Route type
Point to point
Highest point
Not recorded

About E40

E40 is a 28.5 km hiking route in Catalonia, Spain. It climbs roughly 627 m (2,057 ft) along the way. Most people take around 7 hr 17 min at a comfortable pace, plus stops. This is a demanding day. The climbing is sustained and the descent is long enough to punish tired knees.

Most people walk it in stages, using the waymarking and accommodation built up along the corridor.

Start and finish are in different places, which means public transport or a second car is part of the planning. The route is waymarked and marked on the ground with its own symbol, so navigation is straightforward in good visibility.

Plan this one outside the summer months: cooler air makes the exposed sections far more pleasant. The nearest town of any size is Tortosa, about 10.8 km away, which is where most people base themselves. The route is maintained by FEEC.

In short, E40 suits fit hikers with a habit of long days and an eye on the forecast. Dog access is not formally recorded here, so check locally before bringing one.

Plan around this route’s details

Start, finish and return
The recorded 28.5 km line has different endpoints. Confirm travel from the finish before setting out; that return journey is additional to the mapped route.
Climbing in context
The recorded ascent averages approximately 22 m of climbing per kilometre across the whole route. This is climbing density, not trail gradient: climbs and flatter sections may be unevenly distributed.
What needs a separate check
This record does not establish surface, dog access, wheelchair access. Check any of these that affect your group. Current closures, access arrangements and transport are not verified by the route line.
Understand the source data →Suggest a sourced correction →

Route map

Hard28.5 km627 m

Numbered marks every 5 km

Route line from OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL. View the source relation

Make it fit your day

Your walking-time scenario

Adjust the example pace and allowances to explore your own plan. This calculator uses your inputs, so it may differ from the directory’s headline estimate.

Calculated walking time including your allowances

8 hr 41 min

427 min for distance + 63 min for ascent + 30 min allowance.

Formula: distance ÷ pace × 60 + ascent ÷ 100 × climbing allowance + stops. Travel to and from the route is additional. Terrain, descent, weather and navigation are not modelled. These results do not establish route suitability. Read the time-planning guide.

Recorded route measurements

The route is normally walked in the direction described below. The first third does most of the climbing, so settle into a slow rhythm early rather than trying to hold a flat-ground pace. Because the finish is away from the start, check return transport before committing to the second half.

Highlights

  • Waymarked route
  • Long-distance path
  • Waymarked and signposted

Know before you go

Season field
October to May
Waymarked
Recorded as waymarked
Surface
Not recorded
Dogs
Not recorded, check locally
Wheelchair access
Not recorded
Entrance fee
Not recorded
Camping
Not recorded
Drinking water
Not recorded as available
Toilets
Not recorded as available
Mobile coverage
Not verified
Parking
Park at the trailhead, arrive early in high season
Emergency
112 in Europe, 911 in North America

How this trail scores

Computed from distance, ascent, terrain features, surface and access data.

Scenery
42/100

Terrain features, relief and photographic interest

Adventure
58/100

Distance, ascent and how wild the ground is

Difficulty
83/100

Effort index from distance and climbing

Accessibility
21/100

Surface, gradient and ease of reaching it

Family
12/100

Suitability for children who already walk

Dogs
62/100

Access rules, terrain and water along the way

Tips from the trail

  • Start at first light. A long day is far more pleasant when you are not racing the sunset on the descent.
  • Aim for october to may for the most reliable conditions.
  • Break the route into stages and decide your turnaround time before you set off.
  • Leave nothing behind, including fruit peel, and stay on the marked line to protect the ground either side.

Warnings

  • This route is long and sustained. Turn back early rather than late if the weather closes in.

Safety

Emergency services in Spain are reached on 112. Tell someone your route and expected finish time before you set off, particularly if you are walking alone. Mobile coverage is generally usable along this route, but do not rely on it as your only plan. If the weather deteriorates, descending the way you came is almost always the safer option.

What to bring

  • Comfortable, broken-in hiking shoes or boots
  • Weatherproof jacket
  • At least 1.5 litres of water
  • Trekking poles for the descent
  • Offline map and compass
  • Head torch and spare battery
  • Extra warm layer
  • Real food, not just snacks
  • Small first aid kit including blister plasters

Photography

Overcast light suits this route better than harsh midday sun, especially under tree cover. Take the shot on the way out. Conditions rarely improve by the time you come back past. A wide lens captures the scale, but a short telephoto is what turns a good view into a photograph.

Frequently asked questions

Reviews

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Prepare for this walk

All planning articles →

Understanding the map

Download a GPX route and check it before leaving

Take a route into your navigation app, check the imported line and understand what a GPX download does and does not contain.

Read article →

Planning your day

Loops, out-and-backs and point-to-point return plans

Work out what a route's shape means for distance, endpoints and getting back after the walk.

Read article →

Sources and confidence

What open route data can tell you—and what to verify locally

Distinguish source records, calculated estimates and missing details before relying on a route page.

Read article →

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