Collsacabra Protected Natural Area

Nature area / Countryside / Open space, Natura 2000 network, Natura 2000 Network: Special Protection Area (SPA)

Steep crags towering over the north shore of the Sau and Susqueda reservoirs characterise the landscape of this area. The village of Rupit forms one of the gateways to the area, enticing visitors with its beauty, as well as its potential for active tourism activities and routes.

Collsacabra Protected Natural Area extends over a steep craggy area halfway between the regions of Osona, Selva and Garrotxa. Forests, towering crags like those of Tavertet and the north banks of the river fed by the Sau and Susqueda reservoirs form a place that is highly attractive to tourists but, at the same time, difficult to access.

The charming village of Rupit is one of its main attractions in terms of heritage and the same time one of the main points of entry to the area. Tavertet to the north and the Sau reservoir to the south are another two points of entry. The southernmost point is inside the Guilleries-Savassona Natural Area, which is managed by the provincial government of Barcelona.

Climbing and canyoning are popular activities here, where we can also find numerous hiking and mountain biking routes. The latter were proposed and signposted by the Vall de Sau - Collsacabra MTB centre.

Year of declaration: 1992
Regulations: Decree 328/1992, of 14 December.
Area: 10857
Ownership: Public
District: Rupit i Pruit; Tavertet; Vilanova de Sau; Esquirol, l'; Sant Pere de Torelló; Masies de Roda, les; Susqueda; Sant Hilari Sacalm; Amer; Vall d'en Bas, la; Planes d'Hostoles, les.
Visitor centres: N

Annual closing: Open all year round.
Languages: Catalan, Spanish

Facilities

Accommodation

Parking

Picnic area

Chapel

Viewpoint

Signposted itineraries

Flora

A sub-Mediterranean and central European landscape dominates, with the mountain oak groves on the lower-lying land and the English oak groves with boxwood alternating with pastures in the remaining areas. We can also find beechwoods and, higher up, gorse and heather with birch trees.

Fauna

The wildlife here is of great interest. The abundance of crags favours rupicolous species like the European honey buzzard and the lesser spotted woodpecker. Common mammals in the area are the fox, the badger and the wild boar, whilst the rivers contain species like the catfish.