Environment and Activities

Environment: Natural Park

 
The Ebro Delta stretches over the ‘comarques’ (districts) of Baix Ebre and Montsià, on the Costa Dorada of Tarragona, Catalonia, Spain. There we find the mouth of the Ebro, the river with the greatest flow in Spain, which over the centuries has been forming the Ebro Delta. Due to its high ecological value, the Ebro Delta was declared a Natural Park in 1983, and has recently been declared a Biosphere Reserve. It spreads over an area of 7,802 hectares including the Baix Ebre district on its north bank and the Montsià district on its south bank. The majority of the land is occupied by rice fields, which constitute an incomparable site for an extremely interesting fauna, especially birds, with over 300 species and many breeding colonies, as well as providing a refuge for migrating birds. Its huge plain includes a large number of lagoons and ponds. The coastline is formed by long virgin beaches and sand dunes. Two large sand banks are gradually enclosing the Fangar bay to the north and the Alfacs bay to the south.
Places to Visit in the Natural Park:

• The Canal Vell Lagoon: a marshland rich in beautiful fauna where many different types of birds come to rest and nest, mainly wild ducks. Bird watching. Access via the look-out.
• The mouth of the Ebro River: without a doubt the most appealing place to enjoy the contrast of the fresh water from the river flowing into the salt water of the Mediterranean Sea. This can only be accessed by boat.
• San Antonio Island: a landscape formed by sand dunes and mixed vegetation. Home to waterfowl. It can be viewed by taking a boat trip around the river mouth.
• Muntell de las Vírgenes: A sand dune 5 metres high, the highest natural point of the Delta.
  Located on the left bank of the river, very close to its mouth. Panoramic views of the Buda Island.
• Garxal Lagoon: Groups of small islands and lagoons, where you can admire a wide variety of waterfowl. A guided route to go on foot or by bicycle (2.5 km) equipped with information boards.
• Puente de los Moros: The Puente de los Reyes, also named the Puente de los Moros, is located 4 km away from Deltebre, towards the residential area of Riumar. Next to the bridge there is a picnic area. It is a round arch made of cut stone filled in with mortar, which somehow gives it a Romanesque style. Even though it is a basic building, it has a great architectural value as there are no similar constructions in the area. Moreover, as it is the only physical remnant left by our ancestors in the entire village, it has a very important symbolic meaning to the inhabitants of Deltebre
• Punta del Fangal: A peninsula of 140 hectares. An important nesting area for terns and waders. Formation of fixed and mobile dunes. Observation of mirages during sunny days. Shellfish breeding ponds inside the bay. Scenic look-out with information board. Bird watching. Access: from the Marquesa Beach, following a sandy route, between dunes and rice fields. Can be reached on foot or by bicycle.
• The Marquesa Beach: a virgin beach, large and peaceful.