Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park

As we have already told you on numerous occasions, Spain has nothing to envy other countries as regards nature it means. And it is that beyond hosting spectacular beaches, our country offers beautiful natural landscapes, including a network of 15 National Parks, distributed in different corners of the peninsula and the islands. Without a doubt, these are corners that are worth visiting sometime in life. Therefore, we encourage you to take advantage of these autumn weeks to discover some of them.

In Hard Hobbit To Break we have talked extensively about each of the National Parks that our country houses, except for the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park. For this reason, today we wanted to focus on this wonderful natural environment found in the autonomous community of Catalonia. Would you like to join us? We assure you that you will not regret it!

In the center of the Pyrenees

The Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park (in Spanish, Aguas Tortas and San Mauricio Lake National Park) is the only National Park in Spain located in Catalonia. It is located in the central part of the Pyrenees, stretching between four regions of the province of Lleida: Alta Ribagorça, Pallars Sobirà, Pallars Jussà and Vall d’Aran. Of course, it is important to keep in mind that access to the heart of the park is usually done through the towns of Espot (Pallars Sobirà) and Boí (Alta Ribagorça), two historical entrances. In fact, this is where the reception centers, information, means of transport and basic services are located, as well as a diverse tourist offer.

A park of great biological value

In this wonderful Catalan park it has great biological value, among other things thanks to the fact that the great unevenness it presents gives rise to different ecosystems: crops, deciduous forests, meadows, evergreen forests, high mountain rocks ... The best thing is that thanks to being a protected space for years and its access is not very easy, its flora and fauna have been preserved in a state pretty wild.

More than 200 lakes and ponds

As we have just mentioned, there are many ecosystems that can be found in this place of the Pyrenees. Of course, its more than 200 ponds and lakes stand out, being able to find them in all shapes and colors. Of course, you will also find rivers, ravines, waterfalls and swamps, not to mention their peaks, some of which exceed 3,000 meters in height. As for fauna and flora, species such as grouse, black woodpecker, bearded vulture, sarrio, fir, black woodpecker and beech stand out. In addition, you should know that gentians, buttercups, lilies, orchids and primroses, among other species, live in the meadows.

Cultural values

Although the main attraction of the park is its natural environment, we must not forget its cultural values. For example, we must highlight the monumental ensemble of Romanesque art in Vall de Boí, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO; the gastronomy of the area, with typical dishes such as the Aranese pot, the Pallarian meal, or the rice with rabbit; and ancestral festivals such as "les falles".

An ideal place to visit throughout the year

Unlike other National Parks, the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici can be visited throughout the year. In fact, during the four seasons it offers a program of activities, including itineraries with the guide service, naturalist days, talks, exhibitions, snowshoe outings in winter ... The objective of these activities is to publicize the main values ​​of the place to improve the protection and conservation of this privileged Catalan corner.

Then we leave you with our Gallery, where you will find more images of this beautiful National Park. Do not miss it!

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici - Hiking - Cataluna, Spain (April 2024)