Lleida Natural Parks
The National Park of Aigüestortes
and the lake of Sant Maurici
Located in the heart of the Pyrenees, this is the most genuine
representation of mountainous area. Owing to its majestic landscapes
and views, and to the varied flora and fauna which dwell within
its borders, this is a unique spot. Centennial woods of firtrees
and black pine tree are scattered about the park, which encloses
nearly 200 mountain lakes; this is the dwelling of the wild goat,
the capercaillie, the marmot and the mythic bearded vulture, also
known as lammergeier.
For those visitors interested in becoming better acquainted with
the park, the best excursions are El Camí dels Enamorats
(The Lovers' Path), La Roca de la Cremada, along L'Estany Llong,
and the lake of Sant Maurici, through the vantage point and Amitges.
At the National Park of Aigüestortes, it is possible to observe
glacial phenomenons, such as the U-shaped valleys and the mountain
lakes. The landscape encloses alpine pastures, meadows and screes,
and the lowest walls of the area are covered by wood of firtrees
and pinetrees. Some of the summits within the park are almost
3,000 mt-high.
The Natural Park of Cadí-Moixeró
Vultures and golden eagles gaze at visitors in this natural park;
with over 40,000 hectares, it is Catalonia's largest park. Silence
seems to protect the capercaillie and the newt of the Pyrenees;
these being perhaps the last specimens, who clutch at this huge
natural monument, which is a combination of wood, massif and rock.
This is nature in its purest state. In the Prepyrenees, particularly
impressive are the Cadí mountain range, the Pedraforca
massif and the fodder plant extensions of Puigllançada.
The Mont-rebei Canyon
This is the natural bordering passage separating Catalonia and
Aragon. It allows travellers to cross the Montsec mountain range,
among spectacular views of astounding beauty. It should be mentioned
that Mont-rebei is a privileged bird reserve. Once we reach the
beginning of the gorge, the magnificent view of a path digged
in the rock and suspended over thirty metres is revealed to our
eyes.
La Val d'Aran and other treasures.
Upon reaching La Val d'Aran, the traveller enters a different
world; this region has its own language, a colourful nature, the
particular shape of the houses... Their atlantic influence reminds
us of the French border. The huge extensions of nature surround
the villages, which each other dishinfnish from the height of
the Pyrenees their belfries. In this landscape in which stone,
snow and the sky are so prominent, lakes play a major role, and
they are the meeting point of the rocks and the firtrees. Among
all the remaining natural spaces of the lands of Lleida, we ought
to mention La Serra de Boumort, Les Valls d'Àneu and La
Vall de Lord, in El Solsonès; all of them display their
breathtaking treasures.