Serra del Montsec Protected Natural Area

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

In the profile of the Montsec Mountain Range you can still make out the sea basin that existed two hundred million years ago but with time and the force of the rivers has been worn and re-shaped to form truly impressive gorges, such as can be seen at Mont-rebei and Terradets.

In the profile of the Montsec Mountain Range you can still make out the sea basin that existed two hundred million years ago but with time and the force of the rivers has been worn and re-shaped to form truly impressive gorges, such as can be seen at Mont-rebei and Terradets.

The immense natural heritage present in this area is indisputable, so it is no surprise to learn it is an Area of Natural Interest and has prompted many groups to push for it to be catalogued as a natural park.

The unique orientation of the mountain range, with two slopes and two distinct climate types (Euro-Siberian to the north, Mediterranean to the south), permits the coexistence of a hugely diversified flora, distributed across landscapes that present cliffs soaring up to 500 metres.

In the Montsec area you will see monumental trees, such as the Roble de los Escurçons oak tree in Àger, the Roble del Corb de Montardit oak tree, also in Àger, the Encina de Cal Penjat holm oak in Baronia de Rialb, the Encina de Pelleu holm oak in Isona, and the Enebro del Tuberic juniper in Castell del Mur.

The faunashould be differentiated into two separate areas. On the one side, the Sant Llorenç de Montgai Wildlife Reserve, between the districts of Camarasa and Os de Balaguer, is rich in rarely-seen birds, such as the bearded vulture and capercaillie.

On the other side, the Noguera Ribagorçana-Mont-rebei Partial Nature Reserve is home to the otter, one of the most emblematic inhabitants here, although in the cliffs and ravines you can also find birds of prey, such as the peregrine falcon, the vulture, and the golden eagle.

The abundance of water and water landscapes permits the existence of fish such as the carp and the barbel in this area, along with water birds such as the mallard.

Year of declaration: 2000
Regulations: 26/07/2000, DOGC 3191
Area: 30857
District: Àger; Alòs de Balaguer; Artesa de Segre; Avellanes i Santa Linya, les; Camarasa; Castell de Mur; Gavet de la Conca; Isona i Conca Dellà; Llimiana; Sant Esteve de la Sarga; Tremp; Talarn; Vilanova de Meià.
Visitor centres: N

Annual closing: Open all year round.
How to get there:
On the A-2 motorway from Barcelona to Huesca, turn off at the C-13 near Lleida, turn right on exit 4 to the C-148 road for Travesia de Hostalnou and then turn right onto the C-12 and take the LV-9047 road to Gerv. Continue on the LV-9046, turn left and pass Avellanes, until reaching the C-12 which takes you to Àger. Here there is a road that takes you to the town of Corçà and a well-maintained track that leads to the Pertusa Hermitage, above the Canelles Reservoir.
Languages: Catalan, Spanish

Facilities

Astronomy park

Flora

The landscape is predominantly Mediterranean. A large part of the area is occupied by holm oak groves and forests of coastal oaks, as well as English oak groves in the shadier areas.

Fauna

This being an area with several biotypes, there is a wide array of wildlife. Among the mammals, we can highlight the genet, the pine marten, the otter and several species of bats. The great cormorant is worth a mention among the bird population.