Sils: Natural Area, Circular Trails and Historical Traces

According to the legislation of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Estany de Sils is a protected natural area. There are three signposted circular trails in the Estany de Sils natural area. Its distinctive feature lies in the conditions of a wetland: special moisture conditions and annual flooding preserve characteristic wetland plant and animal species.

Nature

The Vuelta a la laguna circular trail is 3.5 km long and is classified as very easy. The Ruta del Observatorio Viejo is an easy 5 km circular trail.

The European pond turtle is one of the characteristic animals of Estany de Sils and its surroundings. One of Catalonia's largest populations is found in these areas. The species is critically endangered.

The focus of the natural area is therefore both the wetland landscape and its wildlife. The annual flooding is a recurring part of the conditions under which the characteristic plant and animal species are preserved. The European pond turtle is a particularly striking example of this wildlife and is also of special importance because of its endangered status.

Information

The Estany de Sils information point is located in the Sils railway station building and includes a permanent exhibition about the natural area and the municipality. Sils railway station is served by the R11 and RG1 train lines. It is located 300 metres from the main entrance to the protected natural area. The BTT 9 – Estany de Sils cycling tour also starts at the park beside Sils railway station.

The railway station thus brings together the information point, the two aforementioned train connections and the starting point of the cycling tour in one location. The permanent exhibition covers not only the natural area but also the municipality. The main entrance to the protected area is 300 metres from the station, while the BTT route begins at the park there.

Culture

Santa Maria de Sils was first mentioned in 1185 in a papal bull. The present church building of Santa Maria de Sils is designed in a Baroque-Neoclassical style and dates from the 18th and 19th centuries. Santa Maria de Sils preserves a Gothic side chapel from the older temple. A tombstone from 1333 is set into the area near the entrance.

The church thus brings together several historical periods: the first mention from 1185, the present building from the 18th and 19th centuries, and preserved elements of the older temple. The Gothic side chapel and the tombstone from 1333 are among the specific traces preserved at Santa Maria de Sils.

Since the late 15th century, the pilgrimage tradition of the Peregrino de Tossa has passed on foot through Sils every 20 January. The route runs from Tossa to Santa Coloma de Farners.

The tradition is associated with a fixed date and a precisely defined route. It runs on foot from Tossa to Santa Coloma de Farners and passes through Sils. Its origins date back to the late 15th century.

Trails

The BTT 9 – Estany de Sils tour is designated for cycling. It starts at the park beside Sils railway station and runs largely along the outline of the Estany de Sils natural area.

The two aforementioned circular trails and the BTT tour represent different signposted or designated trail options associated with Estany de Sils. For the cycling tour, in addition to the starting point at the railway station, its route along the outline of the natural area is also recorded.

Further destinations directly linked to it include Les Mallorquines.

For the overarching travel overview: Girona.

More destinations

More places within the same destination:

Sant Climent Sescebes, Rupià, Joanetes, Camprodon, Foixà, Salitja, Flaçà.