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The whole region of Girona is covered in all shades of green- from the hills to the forests and the parks situated in the city. Over 30% of the Girona region is a special protected natural area. The designated nature reserves are the habitats for a lot of species of flora and fauna as well as attractions for tourists. Hidden away in the green forests and slopes of the mountains are the odd temples, houses and churches from ancient civilizations.
A visit to these beautiful areas is a very soothing and refreshing experience. You can just go wandering around in the wilderness or go for an organized walk or a trek in the countryside. There are also specially allotted zones for those who want to go camping.
Walking paths are marked all according to the distance: the shorter local or county paths or (PRs), of between 10 and 50 km, are marked in white and yellow, while the local paths (SLs) are shorter than 10 km and are marked in white and green.
• La Garrotxa:
The park is located in a natural volcanic area and is considered to be the leading volcanic area on the Peninsula. The main attraction is the volcanic craters and cones of the Croscat volcano. It is home to some very rich and varied vegetation, with forests of Holm oaks, oaks and beeches. There also exist chestnut trees, hazel trees, alders, poplars and boxwood trees. The fauna comprises species such as the wild boar, wild cat, dormouse, marten or genet. You can also find the short-toed eagle, goshawk, tawny owl, peregrine falcon, woodpecker, blue nuthatch and the coal tit, besides vipers and other reptiles.
The beech forest known as La Fageda d'en Jorda enjoys a protected status.
The activities that are most popular are the routes on foot and the trips with horse and carriage and in the train-bus that travels through these spots.
| Casal Dels Volcans –
Av. Santa Coloma, s/n,
17812 - Olot (Garrotxa)
Telephone: (+34) 972 266 202
www.parcsdecatalunya.net | 
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• Montseny Nature Reserve:
This mountainous group is set inland in southern Costa Brava. It is very easy to reach from Girona as well as Barcelona. There is a wide variety of flora and fauna to be found in the forests here. The weather differences in Montseny have brought about a wide range of landscapes: Holm oak groves (on the lower slopes), cork oak groves (in the granite areas), pine groves, sub-Mediterranean oak groves, beech and birch trees, besides riverside vegetation and rock formations.
Inside the Reserve you can visit over a dozen small Romanesque mountain temples. For example, the parish churches of Montseny, Brull, Sant Marcal, or Sant Marti del Montseny
Museu De La Gabella
Carrer Major,
6, 17401 - Arbucies (Selva)
Telephone: (+34) 972 860 908
Fax: (+34) 972 860 983
www.parcsdecatalunya.net
memga@ddgi.es | 
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• Empodra Marshes
This nature park is one of the largest in Catalonia. The marshlands formed between the mouths of the rivers Muga and Fluvia created this park. It combines salt water wetlands, fresh water ponds, reed beds and dunes which provide a safe haven for a variety of species of birds. Over 320 different species have been recorded here, in particular the mallard, little bittern, bittern, stork, garganey, gallinule, marsh harrier and the lesser grey shrike.
In the surrounding areas you can discover towns boasting a great wealth of culture, art and monuments, for example Roses. The archaeological collection of Empuries, of Greek origin, stands near the Reserve.
EL CORTALET –
Ctra. de Sant Pere Pescador km. 13,6
17486 - Castello d’Empuries (Alt Emporda)
Telephone: (+34) 972 454 222
Fax: (+34) 972 454 474
www.parcsdecatalunya.net
pnaiguamolls.dmah@gencat.ne |