How to get there
How to get there: From the Estany de Banyoles
Tourist Office head towards the Municipal Football
Stadium, the starting point for this itinerary. From
here, head left along Passeig Dalmau, turning right
before arriving at La Puda.
1. La Puda (0h 15min)
This spot's name did not come about by pure
chance. The water from the Font Pudosa fountain
gives off a strong, unique smell originating from
high levels of hydrosulphuric gases (pudor means
“strong smell”). However, at the same time, it has
restorative properties, and for this reason a spa
was built in the mid-19th century, which has
subsequently been abandoned.
Follow the marked route and, after the bridge, turn
right along the path that passes by the reeds. The
itinerary will then lead you to three very peculiar
ponds.
2. Estanyol de la Cendra (0h 20 min)
This is a clear example of a pond formed by carstic
ground collapse. The water's ashy nature, which
gives the pond its name, is due to sediments on
the bottom of the pond, which remain suspended
due to the inflow of underground water.
The wooden platform will take you on to the
Montalt lakes. Once the gate has been passed
(which you should close behind you), turn to the
right. This section contains various species of vegetation
characteristic of the woods and riverside forests.
3. Estanyols d’en Montalt (0h 25 min)
From the viewpoint at the Estanyol Gran d’en Montalt
you can see a large area of marshland, as well as an
aviary used for the re-introduction of storks to the
area. Before leaving this area, on the right you can see
the Estanyol Petit d’en Montalt, a pond hidden
between the indigenous wattles.
The path then takes you on to the Mieres road, which
you should cross, with the Estunes area lying just a
few metres ahead.
4. Les Estunes (0h. 30min)
This is a woody area, filled with extremely tall oak and
holm oak trees. From here you can see large travertine
plates, with cracks and fissures that have to be
carefully climbed over or, if you wish, entered into.
Travertine is a material typical of lakeside areas, and is
still formed nowadays within the Estany de Banyoles.
According to legend, these caves are home to the
fairies of the Estany de Banyoles.
Go back to the road and walk to the left, along its side,
towards Mieres. When you can see the Riera del Vilar
stream, turn right towards the Estany de Banyoles.
5. El Vilar (0h 45min)
You will arrive at the Estanyol del Vilar, the largest and
closest of all the ponds surrounding the lake. 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.
Follow the route towards Banyoles, with the Estany
de Banyoles on your left. It is also possible to follow a
botanical route, with the names of the most interesting
species clearly marked.
6. Els Desmais (0h 50min)
Now you come to the Els Desmais area, which gets its
name from 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.
7. Historical Garden (0h 55min)
Return to the plane tree-lined path close to the
Estany de Banyoles which, along with the fishing
houses (Pesqueres), has been named by the Generalitat
de Catalunya as a Cultural Property of Natural
Interest within the Historical Garden category