Montgrí, Medes Islands and Lower Ter Natural Park

Understand

Baix Ter Natural Park straddles the counties of Alt Empordà and Baix Empordà and occupies 8,192.19 hectares. It protects both terrestrial and marine areas (2,037 ha). The natural park includes two partial natural reserves, one marine in the Medes Islands and one terrestrial in the Baix Ter; a comprehensive natural reserve in the emerged area of the Medes Islands due to its high value; a peripheral area of the partial marine natural reserve, and an area of protection for agricultural areas.

Visitor information Official park website : Montgrí, Medes Islands and Baix Ter Natural Park (in Spanish and Catalan, some guides in English and French) Park website from local council: Parc natural del Montgri Medes Baix Ter , with an English option. Visitor centres: 1 Tourist & Park Office l'Estartit (oficina d'atenció al públic i de gestió del parc), Passeig del Port, s/n (Espigó de Llevant),l'Estartit, ☏ +34 972 75 17 01, [email protected]. (updated Nov 2025) 2 Mediterranean Museum and park information point, C/ Ullà, 27-31,Torroella de Montgrí, ☏ +34 972 75 51 80, [email protected]. (updated Nov 2025) 3 L'Escala Tourist Office, Plaça de les Escoles, 1. L´Escala, ☏ +34972770603, [email protected]. (updated Nov 2025)

History The Medes Islands have been known to scientists studying the coastal seabed for many years, but it was not until the early 1980s that the Institute of Catalan Studies commissioned a collective study on the natural systems of the Medes Islands, which provided a major boost to consolidate the protection work for the conservation of their natural and cultural heritage. At the end of 1969, the Spanish Federation of Underwater Activities launched a project to propose the creation of an underwater park on the islands. It was not until 1992 that the protection of Montgrí, the surface part of the Medes Islands and part of the wetlands of Baix Empordà became effective. In 2001, the meeting of the Barcelona Convention approved including the

Getting there

By plane Barcelona El Prat Airport BCN IATA is around 100 km (62 mi) from the park Girona-Costa Brava Airport GRO IATA is around 50 km (31 mi) from the park Perpignan–Rivesaltes PGF IATA, in France, is around 100 km (62 mi) from the park.

By train The closest stations are Camallera and Flaçà 25-30 km away, depending on the park area you want to access. It is also possible to go with high-speed train to Girona and then taking a bus from Girona station to l'Escala, or l'Estartit. Girona is around 50 km from the park.

By bus Sarfa -Moventis has bus service from Barcelona to L'Escala, Torroella de Montgrí and L'Estartit. AMPSA has a bus service from Girona.

1 l'Escala bus station (Estació d'autobusos de l'Escala), Plaça de les Escoles, l'Escala, [email protected]. (updated Nov 2025) 2 Torroella de Montgrí bus station (Estació d'Autobusos de Torroella de Montgrí), Carretera de l'Estartit, 46. (updated Nov 2025)

By car Roads around the park

The GI-632 from L'Escala until C-31 . The GI-641 from L'Estartit until C-31 in Torroella de Montgri. From Barcelona

Take exit 5 of the AP-7 to Orriols (20 km from l'Escala) and then take the GI-623 road, which leads directly to l'Escala. Take AP-7 , the C-66 and the GI-642 , GI-643 and GI-641 until L'Estartit.

By boat 3 Port of Estartit, Passeig Marítim s/n, ☏ +34 972 751 402, [email protected]. 643 moorings for boats from 2 to 45 m, 78,000 m2 (840,000 ft²) of facilities, with travelift, parking, fuel station, mini-market, professional staff, 24 hours surveillance, selective waste collection. Canal VHF 9 - 24/7. From €30. (updated Sep 2023) 4 Port de l'Escala (Club Nàutic L’Escala), ☏ +34972 77 00 16, [email protected]. Entrance: 80 m. Depth: from 1.5 to 5 m. Vessel length: up to 22 m. VHF Channel: 9. Water and electricity at the mooring. Access to the Club’s bathrooms and showers. Docking service 24/7. 24 hr-supply at the Petrol Station. Broadband WIFI service.Mooring assistance

Getting around

Parking 5 Parking L'Estartit beach, Passeig Marítim, L'Estartit. free. (updated Nov 2025) 6 Parking L'Estartit port. paid.. (updated Nov 2025) 7 Parking Sobrestany, Camí a Sobrestany. (updated Nov 2025) 8 Parking del Carrer de la Punta Milà, Carrer de la Punta Milà. access to cala Montgó (updated Nov 2025) 9 Parking Ter Vell. Access to Ter Vell wetlands and to the beach. (updated Nov 2025) 10 Gola del Ter Parking, Carretera a la Gola del Ter. free. (updated Nov 2025)

See

Main attractions 1 Medes Islands. Are formed by two main islands, five islets and several minor islets. Geologically the Mediterranean islands are a continuation of the Montgrí massíf. The archipelago is, in fact, one of the most important areas of natural interest in the Mediterranean and is a large reserve of marine fauna and flora. The only construction in the archipelago is on the main island, the Meda Gran, and is the Meda lighthouse, which is uninhabited. There are vestiges that seem to think that they have served as a necropolis. (updated Nov 2025) Boat visit to the Medes islands 1 L'Estació Nàutica de l'Estartit - Illes Medes, Carrer de la Platja, 10, L'Estartit, ☏ +34 972 750 699. Boat trips to medes island, including glass bottom boats. Also other activities. from €25. (updated Nov 2025)

Natural places 2 Cala Montgó beach. Although most of the coast is surrounded by steep limestone cliffs, the beach is made of fine-grained sand. The waters are clear and calm, as it is sheltered from the tramuntana storms that are so common in the Empordà. It is administratively located in the municipality of Torroella de Montgrí, although it is closer to the center of l'Escala. From the l'Escala promenade, where a market is set up on Sunday mornings, it can be accessed on foot along a coastal path. It can also be accessed by car, 1 km from the l'Escala marina. As you go down the access road, you will find several campsites. The coastal path, which is called GR 92, passes through this beach, which runs along the Catalan coast from Portbou, on the French border, to Ulldecona, just past the Ebro Delta. (updated Nov 2025) 3 Punta Ventosa. It's a cape and a viewpoint, along Cami de ronda. (updated Nov 2025) 4 Cala Ferriol beach (follow Cami de ronda). It is the second largest cove after Cala Montgó, of those in the Montgrí massif. It can be reached on foot from L'Estartit and takes an hour and a half. It is a cove sheltered from storms thanks to the islets of Cala Ferriol

Do

Hiking Long range The GR92 crosses the park, in this zone runs the same way than E-12 (See Long distance walking in Europe ). Local hikes

Mountain biking Pirinexus and EV8 (eurovelo 8) follow the same route from Sant Feliu de Guixols until the French border, running along the west side of the park, from Torroella de Montgrí until L'Escala. The Ter route (Ruta del ter) runs along the south part of the park. Several MTB routes crosses the Montgri mountain area.

Road cycling There are many road cycle routes aroun