FAQS
Prior to your visit, you can search for information about access, activities and itineraries on the website of the area you want to visit. You will also find the contact details and addresses of the information points.
Many natural areas have information points for the visitor, where they can tell you which itineraries are best and places to visit. They will also give you directions to enjoy a safe visit to the fullest.
You can reach natural areas by motorised vehicle (cars, motorcycles or public transport), but once you are there, you must abide by the restrictions on motorised access and park only in the parking areas designated for visitors.
Some areas provide public transport during the summer holidays or on weekends and holidays.
On the website for Accessibility to the Natural Parks Network you will find information on accessible itineraries for people with reduced mobility or visual impairment, which help to provide autonomous visits to the user.
https://parcs.diba.cat/en/web/accessibilitat
Specific information can also be consulted on the websites of some parks, such as:
https://parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/ca/xarxa-de-parcs/delta-ebre/viure-hi/millora-dinfraestructures/
You will also find information about the rental equipment available for nature visits (hand bikes, off-road chairs or third wheels) and adapted equipment and interpretation centres, in the different natural areas of the Natural Parks Network.
Some natural areas receive a lot of visitors at certain times of the year. Overcrowding has many negative impacts on these areas. For example, we find more waste and pollution, roads are damaged and fauna and flora are disturbed.
In order to avoid this situation and help welcome visitors, some areas have limited the number of people allowed in and manage visits with an advanced reservation system.
The income from parking and entry fees covers the costs of the host devices, cleaning teams, maintenance of equipment and signage or surveillance services, which also ensure that you have a good experience when visiting.
The natural areas can be enjoyed in many ways: hiking, climbing, wildlife watching, cycling routes or family activities, among many others! Find out about the recommendations for each of the activities:
https://parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/ca/gaudeix-dels-parcs/que-shi-pot-fer/esports-a-la-natura/
https://parcs.diba.cat/faqs/activitats-parcs
In the official sources of the space or at the information points you will find what activities you can do in each place and time of the year, and if the activity you want to do there requires authorisation. Each space regulates the activities in order to maintain its natural balance.
https://parcs.diba.cat/web/agenda
https://parcsnaturals.gencat.cat/ca/gaudeix-dels-parcs/agenda-dactivitats/
https://voluntariatambiental.cat/voluntariat-als-parcs/
http://act.gencat.cat/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CAT-ECOTURISME-web.pdf
Before choosing where to go, you must make sure there will be no risks during your visit!
Check the weather the day before and the same day, before you leave. To avoid risks, prepare properly for the activity according to the weather: cap, sunscreen, suitable footwear and clothing, enough water and warm or waterproof clothing.
It is also very important to take extreme precautions due to the risk of fires, in summer, and due to snowy conditions and the risk of avalanches in winter. Review the information on the risks of different natural phenomena.
FIRE RISK
http://agricultura.gencat.cat/ca/ambits/medi-natural/incendis-forestals/mapes/mapa-perill-incendi/
ALPHA PLAN
https://interior.gencat.cat/ca/arees_dactuacio/agents-rurals/pla-alfa/
VENTCAT
AVALANCHES
https://www.icgc.cat/Ciutada/Explora-Catalunya/Allaus/Butlleti-de-Perill-d-Allaus-BPA
Check the official websites, information points or tourist offices for the best itineraries for walking or cycling. Following the signposted routes ensures that you will have a safe visit, you will not enter private properties and minimise the impact on the surrounding area.
In all natural areas, it is necessary to consult the authorised areas or campsites available in the surroundings and interior of each natural area to camp or stay overnight. Authorisation must always be requested from the competent entity. Bivouacking in protected natural areas is only allowed in small groups, between sunset and sunrise, and exclusively for long excursions and hikes.
In the Natural Areas of Special Protection (ENPE), camping outside the places expressly designated for this purpose is subject to prior authorisation from the managing body (Decree 148/1992, of 9 June) and at a price established in the order of public prices (Order AAM/133/2013). Free camping is not allowed in national parks and integral nature reserves.
In any case, outside the areas expressly set aside and designated for camping, you will always need, in addition to the authorisation of the ENPE, the authorisation of the local council or the person who owns the property. In many cases this may be the same.
It is necessary to be careful not to disturb the fauna of the natural areas, livestock of livestock activities or to damage agricultural areas. First of all, find out if pets are allowed in the area you want to visit.
If so, it is necessary to keep them on a lead at all times, especially when we walk near crops or pastures, in the most fragile places, such as reservoirs, ponds and rivers, and in the most frequented areas, such as signposted trails or leisure areas.
In some areas, having your dog off its lead can be an administrative offence subject to a penalty.
For safety reasons, it is forbidden to bathe in marshes and reservoirs, except in designated areas.
In rivers, lakes or ponds, there is a great diversity of animals and plants and, unfortunately, humans can transmit diseases or release chemicals that can compromise the balance of this ecosystem. Therefore, bathing in natural areas is not recommended and in some places it is specifically regulated.
30% of the Catalan territory consists of protected natural areas. These areas are considered to be protected because they have a great wealth offlora and fauna species, habitats of interest and their geomorphological value.
The 184 protected areas found in Catalonia are home to ecosystems in a better state of preservation, with more biodiversity and are more representative of the region’s heritage.
As for the natural areas of the Network of Parks, you can send queries, complaints and suggestions to the contact mailbox of the Generalitat indicating the subject “Environment” and the sub-topic “Parks and natural spaces”.
https://ovt.gencat.cat/gsitfc/AppJava/generic/conqxsGeneric.do?webFormId=391&set-locale=ca_ES
Procedures are monitored from the Status section of my procedures, from the Private Area or by calling 012, with the code (ID) that is received after sending the form.
You can send inquiries, complaints and suggestions to the contact section of the Diputació de Barcelona:
For the rest of the natural areas, we recommend that you contact the managing body, council or entity responsible for the management of the area to address queries, complaints or suggestions.