Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici National Park
In Catalonia the most impressive nature is experienced between mountains, in places like Aigüestortes, Montseny or Els Ports; and wetlands, such as those of the Delta de l`Ebre and Aiguamolls. Total, the Community has 18 parks and nature reserves with paths adapted for people with reduced mobility and families who want to go for a walk with baby strollers. Many of them are also accessible virtually through a 3D application that allows us to go through their itineraries and obtain all the information we need. Always respecting the great natural beauty that surrounds us, we plant ourselves in situ to discover ten of them:
1. AIGÜESTORTES AND ESTANY DE SANT MAURICI
The only National Park in Catalonia is a natural jewel, an idyllic high-mountain landscape where water is the main protagonist. its more than 200 lakes (or estanys) coexist with impressive cliffs such as Els Encantats . its leafy black pine, spruce, Scots pine, birch and beech forests they only add to the beauty and charm of the place. To discover it: the best thing is to start walking along its innumerable paths. Yes indeed, always respecting nature and the silence that surrounds the place. The most classic route is Foc cars , a circular high-mountain crossing that connects nine mountain refuges included in the park. In addition, Aigüestortes has paths adapted for people with reduced capacity and families who want to go for a walk even with pushchairs.
Aigüestortes, a natural wonder
two. CADÍ-MOIXERÓ NATURAL PARK
Another natural park in Catalonia that leaves us speechless is the Cadí-Moixero . The blame for this lies with its impressive mountain ranges with peaks ranging from 900 to 2,648 meters on Mount Canal Baridana. A curiosity: the woodpecker is the symbol of the park. In addition to this bird, it is easy to come across Pyrenean owls, martens or chamois, the masters of the heights. The park organizes guided outings to observe rock birds and other animals such as European marmots. It is also ideal for hiking or routes on foot, on horseback or by bicycle.
3. DELTA DE L'EBRE NATURAL PARK
The largest wetland in Catalonia is also one of the most important aquatic habitats in the western Mediterranean. And it is that the ** Delta de l'Ebre **, with an area of 320 km2, gives shelter to a significant number of birds. Its biodiversity is amazing , so much so that it is declared UNESCO Biosphere Reserve . Located in Tarragona, the shape of this delta is that of an arrow that penetrates almost 22 kilometers into the sea. Its about third largest delta in the Mediterranean after the Nile Delta and the Rhone Delta. It is a pleasure to enjoy its virgin beaches such as Fangar or cycle through the park's rice fields on routes such as Desembocadura-Garxal-Riumar or Encanyissada, well prepared to go with the whole family, including babies and their strollers. .
Family tourism in Garxal (PN Delta de l'Ebre)
Four. ELS PORTS NATURAL PARK
Located between Catalonia, Valencia and Aragon we discover the Natural Park of Els Ports, a place made up of calcareous massifs and steep reliefs. Despite looking like an indomitable place, there are many different routes to access it. A very interesting one is the one that runs through the Ports de Horta, the Carrer ample ravine and les Clotes (510 meter drop and 15 kilometers). To travel by bicycle, the Greenway that crosses the park is perfect, especially if we want to pedal as a family; and for adventurers, the descent of the Canaleta River in the middle of wild nature invites us to take a good dip.
5. MONTSENY NATURAL PARK
declared as UNESCO Biosphere Reserve , the Montseny Natural Park is another natural jewel of Catalonia that should not be missed. It is a perfect getaway to do from Barcelona, since it is only 50 kilometers from Barcelona. In its landscape we come across large massifs of mountains and Mediterranean and Central European forests, a marvel for the five senses. To discover part of this beauty, the accessible route of Font del Frare does not disappoint A piece of advice: when visiting the park, it is essential to respect the environment, not throw rubbish and leave it as it was before our visit.
6. NATURAL PARK OF AIGUAMOLLS DE L´EMPORDÀ
A wetland full of ponds at the confluence of the Muga and Fluvià rivers forms the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park, a privileged home for hundreds of species of waterfowl that visit it on their migrations. It is the second most important wetland area in Catalonia -after the Delta de l`Ebre-, and an ideal destination for families, due to its flat orography and its great accessibility. Observing its fauna is quite a spectacle for children and adults. Fallow deer, red foxes, marbled newts and otters coexist with more than 300 species of birds, such as the mallard, the purple heron, the white stork or the flamingo. An ideal route to explore the wetland is that of the ponds , prepared to do it walking or pedaling and very accessible for the whole family.
Aiguamolls de l'Empordà Natural Park
7. SANT LLORENÇ DEL MUNT I L`OBAC NATURAL PARK
Large farmhouses, caves, Neolithic archaeological remains and a unique landscape made up of reddish monoliths and green pine and oak forests make up the [Sant Llorenç del Munt I LObac] Natural Park (http://www.catalunya.com/que-quieres- Hace/ quality/parc-natural-de-sant-llorenc-de-munt-i-lobac-17-17002-12). Its main peaks are Montcau (1,052 m) and La Mola (1,104 m), where the famous ** [Monastery of Sant Llorenç del Munt] (http://www.monestirs.cat/monst/valloc/cvo07munt. htm) **, the park's most emblematic monument and a must-see for every traveler. Among the adapted itineraries offered by the park, the one to **Casanova de lObac** stands out, very accessible for people with reduced mobility and families with small children.
8. L'ALT PYRENEES NATURAL PARK
Halfway between Pallars Sobirà and L'Alt Urgell, we find the largest natural park in Catalonia. It has everything: large valleys, lush forests, beautiful lakes like the one in certascan , deep gorges like the Cigalera de l'obaga de Baleran or peaks like the Pica d'Estats, the highest in the Community. Its gateway is the municipality of sort , although if we want to see an authentic Natural Monument we have to go to y Alins where we find the Fir of the Pla de la Selva . To visit the Alt Pirineu with the whole family, the ideal is to get the Explorer Passport , a personal book where the explorer records the visits he makes to the park. Depending on the number of seals achieved, the explorers receive some gifts from the park. An initiative designed above all to travel with children.
Alt Pirineu Natural Park
9. SERRA DE COLLSEROLA NATURAL PARK
The people of Barcelona can boast of having a natural watchtower in the heart of the metropolitan area: the Collserola mountain range, more than 8,000 hectares of protected natural space with valuable biodiversity. The famous Tibidabo is the highest peak in Collserola and the lung of the city. The Collserola Tower, the work of Sir Norman Foster, is a unique panoramic observation point. To sleep inside the park, we recommend the farmhouse Can Valldaura , an accommodation that promotes clean energy and the production of organic food. And to go for a walk, the itinerary of ** Camí del Fundal **.
10. NATURAL PARK OF THE VOLCANIC AREA OF LA GARROTXA
A very unique place (and whose flavor chef Jordi Cruz discovered for us) is La ** Garrotxa **, in Girona. Its about best example of volcanic landscape in the entire Iberian Peninsula . It has 40 cones, craters and 20 very well preserved basaltic lava flows. Despite being a volcanic area, the park offers exuberant vegetation with a forest of oaks, oaks and beech forests. Its 28 pedestrian itineraries allow us to enter it without difficulty. Among its cultural heritage, the medieval towns of Besalu and Santa Pau They are a real wonder that we cannot leave behind.
The volcanic landscape of La Garrotxa