Parc Natural dels Aiguamolls de l'Empordà

Discover the Parc Naturel des Aiguamolls de l'Empordà, Catalonia's second largest wetland.
All along the route, there are facilities accessible to all for wildlife observation.

Technical sheet

156378
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 6 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 6 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -2 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: drive to El Cortalet, South-East of Castello d'Empuriès, and park in the paying car park (€5 in September 2015).

Red-White GR®92 signposting

(S/E) From the car park, head for the building that serves as a reception point and hands out information about the park. With your back to the entrance courtyard, take a few steps to the right, where you'll find information and signposting. Turn left on the GR®92 (mediterrani) towards La Platja - Riu Fluvia.

Follow a narrow path that crosses a footbridge and soon joins a wider track. Continue along this left-hand path, equipped with benches and observation areas, which will be the main path to the beach.

Pass a wildlife recovery centre on your right (not open to visitors), make a left/right turn and continue along the path.
100 m further on, turn left at the crossroads to reach the Aguait de las Gantes, a discreet wildlife observation facility.

Please note: Information panels on the fauna are available at all observatories.

(1) Retrace your steps to the main path and continue left.
20 m further on, a footbridge on the right gives you a bird's-eye view of a fallow deer park and its hedges equipped with platforms housing stork nests (Observatori de les Daines).

Return to the main path and turn right for about 300 m to reach the Observatori Casot de la Bomba on the left.
Return to the main path again and turn left for around 500 m to reach the footbridge on the left, which leads to the Pallejà Observatory.

(2) Turn around and continue left on the GR®, crossing a footbridge and a barrier to reach a U-shaped junction.

Without signposting

(3) Temporarily leave the left-hand path and go right along the pond (benches on the right-hand side allow you to take another break to observe the wildlife).
100m further on, on the right, is the Observatori d'en Biel, the only two-story building.

Return to the path and continue right towards the clearly visible towers.
Go past the toilets (on your right) and reach the first tower, the Observatori Senillosa; the other three are old silos and not accessible.

(4) A first flight of 79 steps gives you a good view of the surrounding area, but the additional 13 steps offer an even more interesting panorama and a viewpoint indicator.
Descend and retrace your steps to the junction with the GR® and the benches on your left.

Red-White GR®92 signposting

(3) Turn right and follow the path alongside the pond. Some 250 m further on, on your left, is the Aguait del Gall Marí, a shelter offering views over the larger pond. Continue along the path, which bends right and left (path on right inaccessible). Cross a long footbridge over a wetland to reach a crossroads.

Turn left and 10m further on, you'll find the left-hand access to Aguait Del Bruel (5).

(5) Return to the path and turn left. 200 m further on, the path bends to the left as you approach buildings. Shortly afterwards, just before crossing a canal, turn left to reach l'Aguait de la Massona.

(6) Return to the main path, turn left, cross the canal and continue. Immediately afterwards, come to a water-regulation system and follow the campsite buildings to a barrier.
Go through it and turn left to climb a footbridge that leads to the Observatori les Arpelles (open-air). Follow the path to the left to reach the Platja de Can Comes.

Yellow signposting

(7) Follow the beach to the left, keeping to the right of the large planted stakes that delimit the park.
After about 1.8km of beach, the posts turn 90° to the left. Don't follow them any further, but go a little further to the right, aiming for a watchtower and yellow signs

Please note: Naturist area at this point.

(8) At the signs, turn left towards El Cortalet on a stony track. Parallel to this path is a footpath that allows you to avoid the path, which is often flooded, and follow it to a crossroads. Turn left to reach a crossroads 100 m further on.

(9) Leave the right-hand path, which leads to other observation areas, and continue straight on towards El Cortalet, staying on the main path.

At a crossroads with a signpost and wildlife information panel, turn left to find l'Aguait dels Roncaires.

(10) Return to the path and go left until you reach a barrier. Take the path to the left, then left again 20 m further on to reach the Aguait Quim Franch.

Retrace your steps and turn left to find El Cortalet and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 4 m - El Cortalet car park
  2. 1 : km 0.54 - alt. 2 m - Aiguait de las Gantes
  3. 2 : km 1.77 - alt. 1 m - Pallejà Observatory
  4. 3 : km 1.92 - alt. -1 m - Leave the GR and turn right
  5. 4 : km 2.2 - alt. 1 m - Senillosa Observatory
  6. 5 : km 3.24 - alt. -2 m - Aguait del Bruel
  7. 6 : km 3.83 - alt. 1 m - Aguait de la Massona
  8. 7 : km 4.49 - alt. 2 m - Platja de Can Comes, turn left
  9. 8 : km 6.87 - alt. 1 m - Watchtower, turn left
  10. 9 : km 8.18 - alt. 2 m - Continue straight on
  11. 10 : km 9.27 - alt. 2 m - Aguait dels Roncaires
  12. S/E : km 9.73 - alt. 4 m - El Cortalet car park

Practical information

Please note: water point and toilet at El Cortalet.
Toilets just before Observatori Senillosa.

Stroller- and wheelchair-accessible paths and observatories to the beach (7).

The summer period is less favourable for observation due to the drying up of the ponds.

In the nearby area

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 21 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
vero4030
vero4030

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lots of birds, really interesting and unexpected near the rocky coast! The part on the beach is also beautiful, but tiring because the sand is soft. As for the return to the car park, it was refreshing, as we had to walk in the water at the start of the trail, at dusk, and that added a little flavour of adventure! There was no one left to pay for our car park, but to our great relief the gate opened anyway. All in all, a lovely winter afternoon.

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visiorando26
visiorando26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

you need to choose the right time of day to see the animals.

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sosomamie66
sosomamie66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A must if you love birds

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Valeser
Valeser

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A great place to visit again in the spring to see the storks! No need for a GPS as it's in a nature park. The only drawback is that you have to walk almost 2 km in the sand.

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jean-claude coudert
jean-claude coudert

Walk made on 13 September 2023. The lack of water and therefore of wetlands meant that many birds were absent. The return journey along the sandy beach was a bit tricky. Suggestion: Take off your shoes and socks and walk in the water (as long as it's not too cold). Parking is always €5.

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bouyssiere
bouyssiere

We did this walk on Thursday 11 May 2023, in the morning, with a picnic at midday in the car park.
But the seaside section was off-limits because birds are nesting at this time of year.
So we took the same route from the car park to the beach and back.
Interesting route.
The silos are a must-see.
Bernard

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jean-claude coudert
jean-claude coudert

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Lack of water in the generally wet areas, resulting in low bird numbers.
Return along the beach on the sand under a blazing sun that was quite tiring. Suggestion: take off shoes and socks and walk in the water ....Plus relaxing.

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bouyssiere
bouyssiere

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

On reaching the seafront, it is forbidden to continue the circuit (on the beach) from deck 7 to point 8 or face a fine. Cause: nesting of certain species of birds. You must return to El Cortalet via the same route.
Very well laid-out section. Shaded car park (€5 by credit card) with WC, picnic tables and shop.

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DDucasse
DDucasse

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

The GPS point to the car park is inaccurate, so we had quite a hard time finding the start of this walk.
Some of the sections are not very interesting, but the observation areas are well worth the effort with binoculars. Lots of birds.

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Bds
Bds

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A lovely walk (more like a hike) in this pleasant nature reserve. The first part is more interesting thanks to the wildlife observation points, but the beach has the advantage of being virtually deserted as it is away from the roads. Great for a swim and a picnic!

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robert.salinas@orange.fr
robert.salinas@orange.fr

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : No

only the first part of the walk is interesting
The walk in the sand is hard (3 km) and uninteresting
no birds, no deer.
In my opinion, it's a pointless hike during the holiday period.

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ROUVE
ROUVE

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a shame that nowhere (except in user comments) does it state that a large part of the course is closed between 1 April and 30 June, when birds are nesting. The information sheet should be updated to reflect this. So we had to make a U-turn... Fortunately we had taken the free car park! Otherwise, for bird lovers, there's plenty to do.

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Emmie
Emmie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Few birds were seen, but this was also due to the noise of the small group we made up, as well as the time of year.
The fallow deer were there.
The walk in the sand is a bit physical.
Description of the way back from the beach to the park is approximate but easy to find.
Superb walk. Magnificent scenery. Thank you very much.
Don't forget your binoculars.

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JeffK
JeffK

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Busy trail : Yes

This tour is very well described, but is certainly more interesting in spring. In October, there are very few birds (except ducks ), so it's not particularly interesting.
There is the beach section with lots of driftwood, but it's not an easy walk and it's very long (2.3 km).
The car park (which also has a picnic area) is always €5 and the use to which this sum is put is explained, which is good.

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Jen-Claude Coudert
Jen-Claude Coudert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Walk made on 26 February 2020. Few animals present: storks, ducks and pink flamingos.
The original route was disrupted by the storm, which prevented us from returning via the beach.
We returned via a path to the south of Estany Sirvent, covering 13km.
Lots of directional signs, lots of places to sit.
Easy to find with signs from the Figueres-Rosas road.
Suitable for short family walks.
Entrance to the park is free. Parking charge of 5 euros (there is another free car park near the campsite).
Jean-Claude

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