The Natural Park of Montgrí, the Medes Islands and the Baix Ter

Nature is the quality mark of our municipality.

 

Its footprint is centenary and generous, and is reflected by a diverse landscape composed of mountains, valleys, orchards, the River Ter, wetlands, beaches, dunes, coves, islands... Over time, the balance between men and earth has weakened and it has become essential to create the necessary tools to restore it, an effort that has been consolidated with the Law of Declaration of the Montgrí Natural Park, the Medes Islands and the Baix Ter.

 

Our municipality represents 68% of the total park area, which is 8,192 hectares (23% of marine surface and 77% of terrestrial surface).

Source: www.visitestartit.com

There is a large number of habitats, both marine and terrestrial, to discover.

 

The creation of the park has highlighted all the elements of interest that make up the surroundings of Montgrí such has the wetlands, the Medes Islands and the Baix Ter, and has given to the natural habitats, the terrestrial flora and fauna, and to the marine and cultural landscapes the potential for a long future. The landscape value of the territory, and the wide variety of habitats for flora and fauna, both marine and terrestrial, already have a sustainable protection label.

 

The park offers 17 itineraries that will make you discover this great variety of natural and cultural landscapes.

 

 

In the information center of the Museum of the Mediterranean Sea as well as in the tourist offices of L'Estartit and Torroella de Montgrí, you will find proposals to discover all these natural spaces, with different itineraries through which you can get to know the Montgrí Natural Park, the Medes Islands and Baix Ter, and discover a cultural and natural landscape of millenary past.

Source: www.visitestartit.com

According to the list of habitats present in Catalonia (LHC), the Medes Islands and the massif of Montgrí host a total of 25 different habitats, of which 11 are of community interest and 3 of them are priority.

 

 

The difficult climatic conditions due to wind, salinity and the droppings of seabirds strongly condition the vegetation of the islands. Also the geology, the high and steep cliffs subjected to the continuous action of meteorological phenomena, form a set of factors that force the adaptation of vegetation. The special floristic zones of the Medes Islands are characterized by hosting a series of nitrophilous herb communities adapted to the large amount of organic matter brought by the droppings of seabirds colonies that nest in this environment.

The interest lies in the natural origin of these communities, apart from human intervention. On the other hand, the floristic peculiarities of Montgrí are also given by the singularity of the relief, the karst morphology, the poor and rocky soil and the clearly Mediterranean climate. The massif is therefore a space with remarkable singularities and floristic curiosities. The cliffs of the coast are the ideal habitat in which are developed interesting and very rare plants, some of which are endemic. The underwater flora of the Medes Islands and the Montgrí coast have an undeniable value in the ecology of the entire marine ecosystem. Knowledge is a fundamental tool for its conservation and stability in natural systems.

 

 

In the park, birds are a special interest group for both the protected species that find refuge here, that for their great diversity. Between the Montgrí and the Illes Medes, 189 species have been identified, among which we distinguish seabirds, rock birds and some birds of prey.

 

 

The great diversity of underwater fauna present in the Medes Islands constitutes a complex ecosystem, thanks to the heterogeneity of the different types of bottoms and environments that generate a great variety of ecological niches occupied by different species that are adapted to them.

The prohibition of extracting any type of resource from the strictly protected area has allowed large densities of species to be seen, mainly fish, which are rare in other places. That is why the Medes Islands have become a mandatory stop for all divers in the world.

The varied richness of landscapes that make up our territory allows visitors to discover a wide range of sports and leisure activities.

 

Hiking, cycling and mountain biking routes have been one of the star products of our tourist offer, as well as quiet walks and guided tours to learn more about the environment.

Itineraries: The park offers 17 itineraries and a great variety of natural and cultural landscapes.

 

 

In Torroella and l'Estartit we have a wide range of sports, run by about 40 specialized companies that offer all kinds of nautical and underwater activities and activity programs on land, at sea and in the air. Without leaving the municipality you can practice water sports, hiking and cycling, horse riding, motorized flights, tennis, activities in clubs and gymnastics centers, all kinds of sports activities for adults and young people, with different options for experts and beginners.

 

The tourist office has maps with itineraries for hikers.

 

 

 

Caiac, catamaran, fly-fish, kitesurf, jet skis, paddle surf and stand up paddle, boat rental, snorkelling, skybus, nautical skiing, sailing, wakeboarding, windsurfing.

 

 

Guided tours, buggies-minibuggies, paddle, sports centers, horse riding, karts, mini-golf, laser adventure, Pitch and Putt, segway, tennis, ultralight, volleyball.