20 Natural Parks of Catalonia - PHOTOS

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Catalonia has up to 165 natural spaces that occupy 30% of the entire Catalan territory, which is why they are of abysmal ecological value and, in addition, they are protected by the Plan for Spaces of Natural Interest (PEIN). When we refer to these protected natural spaces, we include in them the Natural Parks of Catalonia, known in Catalan as Parcs Naturals de Catalunya, and which are a great tourist attraction for the entire community. Have you ever visited any of them? Whether the answer is yes or no, in this Green Ecologist article we will show you 20 Catalonia Natural Parks that you should not stop visiting.

Marismas del Ampurdán Natural Park

This park is located in the province of Girona, east of Catalonia, and is intended for conserve part of the wetland complex of the Marisma del Ampurdán. Within its limits are a great diversity of environments so it is a space for coexistence between beaches and sandy areas, sea, brackish lagoons, freshwater lagoons and crops, among others.

You can find animals of all kinds, from migratory birds such as the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), even reptiles like the newt (Triturus marmoratus) and mammals such as the otter (Lutra lutra).

In this other link you can find more information about Wetlands: what they are, types and characteristics and Migratory Birds: names and photos in these other articles.

Aigüestortes National Park and San Mauricio Lake

This protected area was classified as a national park and, consequently, it has a vast extension, exceeding 14,000 hectares. In particular, it is found in the central part of the mountain range called the Pyrenees and, therefore, the purposes of this park are related to the conservation of the mountains of Catalonia, as well as the valuable biodiversity it houses and its ecosystems.

In this Green Ecologist article we tell you why biodiversity is important.

Natural Area of National Interest of La Albera

Located in the northeast of the province of Girona, this is one of the natural landscapes of Catalonia. It was created under the need to protect the environments of the Sierra de Albera and also its diversity of flora and fauna, in particular to the Testudo hermanni ssp. hermanni or, commonly known as, the endangered Mediterranean tortoise.

If you visit this other post you can read about other turtles in danger of extinction.

High Pyrenees Natural Park

Due to its area of 69,850 hectares, it is the largest natural park in Catalonia and within its limits is the highest summit of the Catalan Pyrenees. There you can find great species of fauna such as the grouse (Tetraus urogallius), the Pyrenean chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica) and the brown bear himself (Ursus arctos arctos).

Discover in these other articles more information about the flora and fauna of the Pyrenees or why the brown bear is in danger of extinction.

Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park

Its territory extends through the provinces of Barcelona, Girona and Lérida and, within the park, are the Cadí and Moixeró mountain ranges that together form an impressive mountainous barrier located in the Pre-Pyrenees. As for the climate, it is a combination between the Mediterranean climate and the mountain climate.

You may also be interested in this other article about the Types of weather in the world.

Cabo de Creus Natural Park

With a unique geography, this park is also located in the province of Girona, specifically to the northeast of it. It is a park that covers both land and sea and was in fact, in Catalonia, the first park with terrestrial-marine characteristics.

Cabeceras del Ter y del Freser Natural Park

Like the previous one, this park is located in the province of Girona, on the Catalan Pyrenees, and occupies about 14,750 hectares. In fact, it borders the Regional Natural Park of the Catalan Pyrenees. The park stands out for complexity of its landscapes and the scenic beauty of the high valleys of Ter and Freser.

Sierra de Collserola Natural Park

This natural park is located in the metropolitan area of Barcelona and thanks to its abundant vegetation it acts as a lung of urbanization. It presents forests together with lower vegetation formations. Towards the coasts of the Besós and Llobregat rivers, gallery forests are observed.

Discover in this other article the types of forests that exist.

Ebro Delta Natural Park

This park is located in the province of Tarragona, right where the Ebro river flows and has as purpose to protect ecosystems that make up the wetland. There you can see dunes, brackish areas and forests in galleries near the coasts.

If you want to know more about the subject, we explain how to take care of the ecosystem in this other post by Ecologist Verde.

Llobregat Delta Protected Natural Area

This space is part of the Natura 200 Network and has been declared a Special Conservation Area. As in other parks, this space seeks to conserve the wetlands of the Delta de Llobregat. It is one of the most recommended Natural Parks in Catalonia to go with children.

Mas de Melons Nature Reserve

The reserve is located in the province of Lleida, between the regions of La Garriga and Sagrià, and is a agricultural area of the drylands, that is, where it is not necessary to irrigate the fields but only use the water that comes from the rains.

If you are curious about the rain, do not hesitate to read this other post on Why trees attract rain from Ecologista Verde.

Pedraforca Massif Natural Area of National Interest

Pedraforca is an emblematic mountain of the region that is part of the Sierra de Cadí and is within the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park. Its shape is completely singular: has two peaks separated by a notch. In total, the area of the Pedraforca Massif Natural Area of National Interest occupies 1,671 hectares.

Montgrí Natural Park, the Medes Islands and Bajo Ter

Located in the province of Girona, it is a park that protects both land and sea surface. Presents a habitat diversity unmatched and are the refuge of numerous species of algae, marine gorgonians, corals, dolphins, among many other species.

In this other link you can discover the types of habitats that exist.

Image: Inmocosta

Montseny Natural Park

Has been declared Unesco Biosphere Reserve in 1978. Some consider this park to be one of the best Natural Parks in Catalonia because it contains native species belonging to the typical plant communities of the Mediterranean, Eurosiberian and Boreo-Alpine biomes.

Discover here the Differences between ecosystem and biome.

Sierra de Montserrat Natural Park

It is located in the province of Barcelona and the peculiar figure of its mountains represents a emblem for the catalans. Although broadly the vegetation is not abundant, there you can see small wooded formations of holm oak (Quercus ilex).

Poblet Natural Area

Located on the slopes of the Prades mountains, in the province of Tarragona, this park is the site of the only community of melojo oaks (Quercus pyrenaica) of Catalonia. It was created under the order of conserve and restore natural heritage that surrounds the monastery of Santa María de Poblet.

Los Puertos Natural Park

It is located towards the south of the province of Tarragona and its territory also reaches the communities of Valencia and Aragón. This park aims conserve part of the mountainous massif called Ports of Tortosa-Beceite and was declared a Special Protection Area for Birds.

We recommend that you take a look at this other Green Ecologist article to know up to 64 Endangered Birds.

Sant Llorenç del Munt i l'Obac Natural Park

This natural park is located in the province of Barcelona and is formed by a mountainous massif called Sant Llorenç del Munt that culminates in two peaks of more than 1,000 meters each one and the Sierra del Obac, lower in height. Among the natural parks with animals in Catalonia, it is one of the most diverse in fauna and flora as well.

We leave you this other post about the Flora and fauna of Catalonia that may also interest you.

Sierra de Montsant Natural Park

It is a large park that is located in the province of Tarragona. It is characterized by being a landscape with steep rock formations with cliffs and gorges, where the footprint of human activities has been marked.

Speaking about curious and extraordinary rock formations we can highlight especially the meanders. If you want to know more about What is a meander, its characteristics, formation and types, do not hesitate to visit this other post.

La Garrocha Volcanic Zone Natural Park

Located in the province of Girona, this park presents about 40 volcanic cones, all of them inactive. The geography added to the climate of the place, give rise to an exuberant vegetation composed mainly of holm oaks (Quercus ilex), cork oaks (Quercus suber), beech (Fagus sylvatica), among others.

We leave you this other post on How volcanoes are formed and the Types of volcanoes that exist to complete your information on the subject.

If you want to read more articles similar to Catalonia Natural Parks, we recommend that you enter our Ecosystems category.