From the seabed of the Costa Brava to the peaks of the Girona Pyrenees: a journey through our Natural Parks

This concentration of protected areas in a relatively small territory makes it possible to enjoy a wide variety of natural experiences within a few kilometres of each other. From wild coves and rocky cliffs to oak forests, volcanic reservoirs, subalpine meadows and important wetlands for migratory birds. Each park contributes a unique piece to this natural patchwork, and together they form a network essential to the conservation of the country’s ecological heritage.

The eight Natural Parks that form part of the protected natural areas of the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees are an expression of this biological and scenic diversity. From the Cap de Creus Natural Park, with its unique rugged coastline, to The Headwaters of the Rivers Ter and Freser Natural Park, located in the Ripollès region, with peaks reaching 3,000 metres, each one offers a different and complementary experience.

The territory also has inland parks, such as the Garrotxa Volcanic Area Natural Park, with more than 40 volcanic cones and a fertile and intense landscape, but also wetlands which are vital for migratory birds such as those of the Aiguamolls de l’Empordà Natural Park, or marine environments such as those of The Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park, where the underwater reefs conserve a biodiversity of great value.

We can also explore The Albera Natural Site, with its Mediterranean forests and castles hidden among vineyards, the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, with its large limestone reliefs and shady beech forests, and the Montseny Natural Park, a biosphere reserve, with an extraordinary variety of environments in a relatively small space.

All these parks share ecological interest and the desire to open up to visitors in a respectful and sustainable way.

This commitment to sustainability is not just an intention, but a charted and verified path. Currently, six of the eight Natural Parks in the territory are certified with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS), a recognition promoted by the EUROPARC Federation that accredits the responsible management of tourism in protected natural spaces.

This recognition is more than just a label: it shows that the park works in coordination with local stakeholders (town councils, tourism companies, social and environmental organisations) to guarantee tourism that respects nature, involves local communities and generates value in a balanced way.

This reinforces the protection and promotion of tourism aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This model not only benefits the environment, but also enriches the experience of those who visit these spaces. Exploring a well-marked trail, participating in guided activities with trained guides or staying in accommodation which is committed to sustainability is part of a more conscious and transformative way of travelling.

In this way, the nature of the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees is not only observed: it is walked, breathed, sailed through and experienced. And doing it responsibly is part of this adventure. The Natural Parks provide an invitation to discover this diversity with respect, to participate in their future and to be part of a model that puts sustainability at the centre.