Delta del Llobregat Protected Nature Area

Nature area / Countryside / Open space, PEIN (Plan for areas of natural interest), Natura 2000 network, Natura 2000 Network: Special Protection Area (SPA)
The purpose of the Natural Areas of the Llobregat Delta is to protect the Llobregat Delta wetlands. There are hides and lookouts dotted around most of the lakes, beaches and marshes.

The Llobregat Delta is formed by an extensive plain that extends across 98 kilometres between the Garraf Massif and Montjuïc, and the narrow Sant Andreu de la Barca pass to the north. It was formed in recent times: it appeared in the Roman era and continued to extend until the 19th century. It has had different estuaries which, with the passing of time, have created the coastal lagoons.

The Llobregat Delta is extremely important for bird life, as it is a strategic point on their migratory route from the western Mediterranean that unites Europe with Africa. There are more than 360 bird species in this delta, and this figure is one of the highest number of species to be found anywhere on the Iberian Peninsula.

For these birds, the delta is a rest zone where they can moult and replace feathers, feed, nest and winter. It is considered an area of worldwide importance in scientific inventories as it receives species that are conservation priorities on our continent. This is why it was declared a "ZEPA", a Spanish Special Protection Area, as it is a habitat to significant populations of birds of priority Community interest.

The Natural Areas of the Llobregat River
These cover around 145 hectares and are situated to the right of the final stretch of the Llobregat River. They have a rich diversity of flora and fauna. Here you will encounter typical Delta landscapes: rushes, wetlands, pinewoods, reed beds, beaches and coastal basins, such as those at Cal Tet and Ca l'Arana. These areas form a miniature Delta in themselves.

El Remolar - Filipinas and Viladecans Beach
This is one of the most typical natural areas, especially as it is easy to observe water birds such as grey herons, cormorants, ducks, lapwings and herons. In spring and summer wading birds fill the marshes. This area covers an area of 188 hectares and includes the Remolar Pond, the Filipinas Marshes, the stream at San Clemente, the Cal Francés pinewood and part of the Viladecans beach.

The Can Camins Pinewood and the El Prat Beach.
Extending over 48 hectares, these form a special coastal area that has immense biological value, something that is sadly scarce in the Catalan territory. The woods of stone pine hover above the ancient beach dunes and form a magnificent refuge for a broad diversity of flora and fauna. Several endangered species inhabit the beach as they need the vegetation of these sandbanks to survive.

Las Balsas de Can Dimoni
These are three small lakes located in the agricultural zone of Sant Boi de Llobregat. Extending over a total of 31 hectares, the area is of great interest thanks to the biodiversity that inhabits it, especially the herons and cattle egrets when roosting.

La Murtra Pond and the La Maiola Pinewood
The La Murtra Pond, between the municipalities of Gavà and Viladecans, has recuperated part of its typical vegetation, and along with the croplands, is the habitat of species such as the little bittern, the kingfisher and the little ringed plover. The La Maiola Pinewood, in Gavà, conserves pine specimens above coastal dunes and rushes between the dunes, and is the habitat of a variety of forest birds.

The natural areas of the Llobregat Delta can be visited. There are several routes with hides and lookout towers to observe the rich fauna,vegetation and scenery. Activities are organised for visitors in spring, autumn and winter.

During opening times you can wander freely round the entire area without charge. Zones of controlled access are closed on the 1st and 6th January, and the 25th and 26th December. For guided tours, organised groups and activities, please call 934 793 201
  • Year of declaration: 1987
  • Regulations: DOGC (Catalan Government Official Bulletin) 3005 of 29th October 1999
  • Area: 969
  • Ownership: Public
  • District: Viladecans; Prat de Llobregat, el; Gavà; Sant Boi de Llobregat.
  • Visitor centres: S
  • Annual closing: Open all year round.
  • Opening hours - summer : From Monday to Friday, 8.00 am to 3.00 pm; Saturdays and Sundays from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.
  • Opening hours - winter: From Monday to Sunday, 9.00 am to 6.00 pm.
  • How to get there: On the Castelldefels motorway at kilometre 11, right beside Camping Toro Bravo.
  • Languages: Catalan, Spanish

Facilities

Access for disabled people

Classrooms

Viewpoint

Signposted itineraries

Flora

The Llobregat delta boasts a wide variety of plant communities. It is home to some examples of vegetation that favours wetland and sandy coastal areas, as well as areas that are highly representative of coastal stone pine groves growing on sand dunes, and it also boasts a wealth of fungi. Over six hundred superior plant species have been identified.

Fauna

The area is home to a variety of very important wildlife, particularly birds, both migratory and nesting. There are large populations of black-winged stilts, Kentish plovers, little ringed plovers and little grebes. The hibernating birds are also interesting, especially the different species of ducks, as well as Eurasian bitterns, Balearic shearwaters and ospreys – three species in grave danger of extinction. There is an outstanding native population of Spanish pond turtles and Spanish toothcarp, a fish that is also endemic to the area. Among the mammals we can highlight the bats.

Routes

Different routes on foot and by bicycle:- Natural River Areas (Itinerary 1: River Cal Tet; Itinerary 2: River Ca l’Arana Cal Tet; Itinerary 3: Bunyola Carrabiners - Semáforo- Remolar Filipines Nature Reserve (Itinerary 1: La Vidala Maresma de les Filipines;  Itinerary 2: Riera de Sant Climent) - Estany de la Murtra - Basses de Can Dimoni - Pineda de Can Camins - Pineda la Maiola - Platja de Viladecans - Platja del Prat

Bird-watching tourism

El Consorcio del Espacio ofrece un servicio de guía ornitológico especializado para observadores de aves. Además, existen veintisiete miradores y observatorios para poder contemplar los pájaros.

Disabled access

Accessible area classifi
Facilities available for wheelchair users
Facilities available for people with reduced mobility
No facilities available for the deaf or those with hearing impairments
No facilities available for the blind or visually impaired
Types of inspection
On-site
WHAT IS AROUND HERE?
Delta del Llobregat Protected Nature Area
  • Delta del Llobregat Protected Nature Area

  • Address:Avenue Onze de Setembre, 73-75

  • 08820 Prat de Llobregat, el

  • Barcelona / Costa Barcelona

  • Delta del Llobregat Protected Nature Area
  • Delta del Llobregat Protected Nature Area

  • Address: Avenue Onze de Setembre, 73-75

  • 08820 Prat de Llobregat, el

  • Barcelona / Costa Barcelona

  • Telephone:934 793 201

  • E-mail:administracio@consorcidelta.org

  • Web:www.deltallobregat.cat