Plan your visit

Make your visit a great experience! Before you go to a natural area, find out about all the possibilities it offers you. La teva visita comença a casa: planifica les activitats que realitzaràs, consulta els serveis de l'espai, reserva quan calgui i descobreix el patrimoni natural i cultural que pots gaudir.

Flecha

Discover the wealth and diversity of Catalonia’s natural and cultural heritage through the guided itineraries and sports and recreational activities offered across all the natural areas. In the brochure "Ecotourism: Experiences to Connect with Nature", you will see examples of everything you can do.

 

Best practice in the natural environment

When we go to natural areas, everything we do has an impact. That is why we must always try to ensure that this impact is as minimal as possible, that it is not noticeable that we have been there. Following a few simple recommendations, we can help maintain the balance of these areas and their good condition.

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Always stick to marked paths

Marked paths exist for three reasons: to avoid damaging the flora and fauna that live there; to prevent excessive erosion of the terrain because these paths have been agreed upon with the local residents or landowners, and because it is the safest and easiest way to visit them. Respect the signs: they inform you, guide you and indicate the correct access points. Traditional paths are also apart of the material heritage that should be preserved by walking on them.

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Avoid entering someone’s property   

Sometimes, unintentionally, when we follow applications like Google Maps or Wikiloc we may end up on routes that are not official and it’s possible to inadvertently enter someone’s property. Obtain information from official sources regarding the wide range of marked routes and itineraries to enjoy these spaces.

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Become invisible!

During your visit, anything you can do to make your presence unnoticed will be beneficial for nature. If you avoid loud noises, you will be able to hear and observe wildlife that would otherwise remain hidden.

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Collecting mushrooms and fruits

The massive collection of mushrooms and fruits can have a significant impact on the environment and also disrupt the lives of the inhabitants of the area. It should be done responsibly to ensure that nature can continue to provide what we collect.

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Cycle on roads and wide tracks 

If you cycle through natural spaces, do so on roads or wide tracks, never on narrow paths. And always at the permitted speed. In nature, there is room for everyone!

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Drop anchor responsibly

Irresponsible anchoring a boat in natural areas can have negative impacts on the environment. Help us preserve the richness of our seas during your voyage

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Fly your drone responsibly

Enjoying the landscape from a different perspective is one of the qualities that attracts many people to the world of drones. Taking flight for a bird’s eye view of the wonderful spectacle that nature offers us is a dream come true.

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Help farmers with their work.

Agriculture is a vital activity for the region. Not only does it provide us with healthy, local and seasonal food, but also helps preserve heritage, landscapes and centuries of tradition and culture. Within or very near some natural areas, you may find agricultural spaces. Agriculture sometimes plays a role in the life of natural parks. Fields and crops are the farmer’s workplace, so avoid entering these fields, picking fruits or vegetables, and make way for agricultural machinery.

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Keep dogs on a leash

Bear in mind that your dog can be an intrusive species in these spaces. If you have keep its lead on, it will not disturb the herds or the wildlife and will not endanger species that are endangered. Spring is a particularly delicate time because many species are breeding.

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Keep hidden gems secret 

Many of these spectacular yet fragile places are still not widely known or maintain a delicate balance between the number of visitors and their conservation. Use GPS or social media networks responsibly.

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Leave nature as you found it

If everyone who visits a space takes a plant, an animal or a stone, imagine what will happen: an apparently innocent action can end up destroying a habitat or affecting a species. Observe animals and plants in their habitat without disturbing them.

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Minimise swimming in rivers, lakes and streams and avoid using sunscreen

Although it may sound strange to you, do not put on sunscreen if what you are going to do is cool off in a river, lake or pool. These creams pollute the water and are very harmful, generate a fat film that hinders the oxygenation of the water and negatively affect the fauna that lives there, put it on when you have finished in the water. Respect bathing regulations or limitations in areas where it is not prohibited.

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Nature is not a circuit

Motorised vehicles for mountain travel are designed to overcome all kinds of obstacles. They are very useful for quickly accessing difficult areas. However, it is crucial to use them only on designated trails and at a moderate speed.

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No fires in the forest!

Fires in unprepared areas or during fire risk seasons can lead to catastrophe. Follow the regulations and only make fires in designated areas and during permissible seasons. Consult relevant information before lighting any fires.

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Organise responsible and sustainable mountain races

A mountain race represents a significant gathering of people in a sensitive natural environment such as a forest, peak or alpine meadow. And the fact is that, besides the runners, spectators gather at different points along the course, especially at the summits. For a few hours, these places cease to be peaceful and instead become crowded with no proper organisation.

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Park only in designated car parks

Despite the lower traffic found on the trails or paths of some natural areas, not every spot where a vehicle can fit is suitable for parking. Doing so can have an impact on the environment and disrupt the coexistence with other people and activities taking place in the area.

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Plan your visit

To enjoy natural areas, it’s essential to come prepared. Gather information about the difficulty of the route you want to follow, the terrain conditions, the weather forecast, whether you need to reserve access and where the information centres are located. Consult the website or app of the natural area; this will help you plan your visit effectively and learn about all the available services. Enjoy local tourist offerings; this will stimulate the local economy and help combat rural depopulation.

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Practise responsible rock climbing

Rock climbing is a fantastic activity for discovering our natural environment, but let’s not forget that rock faces are not climbing walls, and must be aware of the impact our presence has on the natural environment. Vertical cliffs hide a lot of biodiversity adapted to and dependent on this habitat, and our presence can affect it.

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Practise responsible trail running

Trail running is a sport that has gained a large number of enthusiasts and practitioners in recent years. This has led to overcrowding in many areas, negatively affecting the already fragile flora and fauna that reside there. This overcrowding has also resulted in problems such as soil erosion, litter accumulation, and disturbances caused by noise during breeding or nesting seasons.

Practise responsible trekking

What a pleasure it is to immerse ourselves in the vastness of the mountains and stroll amidst the tranquillity of the woods! What a joy it is to share this experience with family and friends or enjoy it alone! However, it is essential to be aware that, in the mountains, we are guests and we must treat them with the same respect we would have for our own home. We must take care of this natural environment as if it were our own home and preserve the beauty and richness it offers so that other people and future generations can also enjoy this wonderful experience.

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Releasing animals, a serious problem

Each species is part of an ecosystem where it coexists with other species, establishing various relationships with those species, whether competitive, predatory, parasitic or others. The arrival of a new species disrupts these relationships and can lead to significant alterations, such as the extinction of another species or changes in the habitat.

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Respect herds and livestock.

In natural areas, you may find herds and livestock grazing. Try not to make annoying noises, leave the electric padlocks locked so that they do not get lost and keep your pets on a lead so as not to interfere with their activity.

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Respect restricted areas   

In some areas with natural spaces, you will find designated zones where access is prohibited. This signage is often in place to protect habitats or threatened species. Ensure your visit only occurs in areas where you won’t harm biodiversity.

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Rest and eat in recreation areas

In many of the natural spaces you visit, you will find designated spaces for different purposes such as resting, eating or drinking. Using these areas will not only make our visit more comfortable, but will also contribute to preserving natural values.

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Set a good example

Your visit and what you have learned can be key to raising awareness among those around you on the importance of conserving the natural environment and demonstrating the Best Practices you have followed. Help spread these ideas and let everyone know how important it is to conserve nature!

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Take your rubbish with you

It is important not to leave rubbish or any item that could pollute the environment. Some items take years to degrade. Additionally, by depositing them in the appropriate container, you make their management easier and you follow the Best Practices.

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There are rules in nature too!

In some natural areas, their preservation is incompatible with some recreational and sporting activities, since they can have direct effects on the good condition of the fauna and flora. During the nesting season you have to be especially careful. Find out about which activities you can do or which ones need authorisation.

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Treat the area as if it were your home.

If someone comes to visit you at your home, how would you like them to behave? Everything you believe would be incorrect: acts of vandalism, damaging infrastructure, disruption and noise- these are behaviours you should avoid in the spaces you visit. These places are someone’s home and you must respect the rest of the inhabitants, whether they are animals, plants or people.

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Visit information desks

Having information about the places we can visit, the routes we can take and the regulations we must follow will help us fully enjoy the natural areas we visit. We can obtain all these tips in the information desks. People working there will provide us with all the needed info. Ask for advice and guidance!

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Visit them in moderation

The number of visitors to natural areas has increased significantly and abruptly in recent years. The lack of contact with nature in our daily lives makes many of us want to escape to enjoy it during our free time. However, this has consequences for the natural heritage of the area, which can be damaged when there is an excessively high number of people.

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Winter sports, responsibly!

The flora and fauna of the high mountains are adapted to the adverse climatic conditions of this environment. However, during the winter, with the low temperatures and the arrival of snow, life becomes much more difficult.

PLA INFOCAT ACTIVAT - Incendi vegetació

Davant les situacions meteorològiques adverses, seguiu sempre les indicacions oficials d'accés i les possibles restriccions als espais naturals de Catalunya.

Actualment hi ha espais naturals amb restricció d’accessos per activació del nivell 4 del Pla Alfa

Abans de visitar un espai natural, consulteu la informació actualitzada dels organismes oficials i seguiu les instruccions de Protecció Civil i dels serveis d'emergència.

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