0. Start - Estany de Banyoles Tourist Office (0h 00min)
The Estany de Banyoles Tourist Office is located in a
refurbished fishing house (pesquera). The work
undertaken on the house allowed it to regain the
features it had enjoyed at the end of the 19th century.
Of particular interest is the skylight which lights the
interior from above, and a wooden lever to the rear.
1. Historical Garden (0h 05min)
The first section of this itinerary, which takes in the
walks around the lake and the fishing houses, has
been declared a Cultural Heritage of National Significance
in the Historical Garden category by the
Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalonian Parliament).
There are 20 fishing houses in total, all located to the
east of the Estany de Banyoles and dating back to
the mid-19th and early 20th centuries.
2. Travertine rock in formation (0h 10min)
Alongside the Marimon fishing house, on clear
days it is possible to see travertine rock in formation
(formed by bio-chemical processes characteristic
of a lacustrine basin).
3. Els Desmais (0h 15min)
At the end of the Historical Garden comes Els
Desmais, named after the trees which it contains,
the weeping willows. Although these trees are not
indigenous to the area, this has become a symbolic
spot on the Estany de Banyoles. Here you will find
two fountains: the Font de la Filosa, in honour of
the Les Estunes fairies, and the Font del Ferro.
4. El Vilar (0h 20min)
You will now find yourself at the Estanyol del Vilar, the
largest and closest of all the ponds surrounding the
Estany de Banyoles. In mid-August a fishing contest is
held here, which has been running for almost one
hundred years. At the lakeside is the Font del Vilar
fountain.
5. Porqueres Churchs (0h 30min)
Entering the Porqueres municipal area, the first thing
you will see is the Romanesque Church of Santa
Maria, built in the 12th century.
6. Font del Rector Fountain (0h 35min)
Right by the Church, and down a small path which
winds its way through the vegetation, lies the Font
del Rector fountain.
7. Pointe Freixenet (0h 45min)
The Punta Freixenet offers great views over the
southern point of the Lake, the area through which
the greatest levels of underground water enters.
8. Estanyol Nou (1h 15min)
This spot is a real pond area: the Estanyol Nou, the most
recently formed (in 1978); the Estanyol de can Cisó o
Vermell, which sometimes takes on a reddish appearance
due to the colonies of bacteria it contains; and
the source of the Riera del Castellar stream.
9. La Cuaranya (1h 15min)
Closer to the Lake is the La Cuaranya viewpoint.
This is the perfect spot to observe the Lake's
indigenous flora and fauna.
10. Can Morgat Forest(1h 30min)
If you follow the path you will soon come to Can
Morgat Forest. This holm oak forest is home to
several types of tree characteristic of Mediterranean
forests: holm oaks, oaks and pines.
11. Llacuna dels Amaradors (1h 40min)
The Amaradors Pond was created through an
EU Life Natura project, and is a small, floodable
area home to various species of birds, fish,
amphibians, etc.
12. Lió (1h 45min)
The path leads on through a river-side forest,
where it is also possible to see the wattle plants
right by the water's edge.
13. Torre del rem (1h 55min)
From the finishing tower for the regatta course,
built in 2004 for the World Rowing Championships,
great views can be enjoyed over the
northern area of the Estany de Banyoles. As well
as the tower, grass and plant-covered levels
have also been set into the area, adapting
perfectly to the surrounding environment.
14. Caseta de Fusta (2h 05min)
Area is predominated by the riverside forest.
During the summer it also serves as a swimming
area, the only one with free access.
15. La Draga Park and the Neolithic Park (2h 15 min)
Upon leaving the forest you find yourself in La Draga
Park, the biggest in the city. It was opened to the
public for the 1992 Olympics, when Banyoles was the
Olympic Sub-headquarters for rowing. This is the only
spot on the Lake where you can enjoy a picnic, and
has become an ideal area for taking a stroll or
enjoying various sporting activities. The remains of a
Neolithic settlement have been uncovered in the
park, and the reconstruction of huts and demonstrations
of prehistoric activities bring us right into the
life of Neolithic man.
16.The Recs and Banys Vells
Close to the Club Natació Banyoles (Banyoles Swimming
Club) and the Banys Vells (Old Baths), the other
two points where swimming is allowed, you can see
several of the water channels which leave the lake
and head towards the city. If you follow their path, it is
possible to reach the centre. Just slightly further on is
the start of the itinerary.