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Landscapes
Holm oaks and cork oaks are characteristic of the wooded landscapes of the Gavarres. While the holm oak is a native of this region, the cork oak has taken over extensive areas thanks to forestry activities by the cork industry. Currently, undergrowth with Aleppo pines, stone pines and maritime pines dominates a large part of the land, helped along by fires and the abandonment of farming land and forestry activities.
In the shady areas and in some of the gullies there are woods more typical of central-European landscapes, such as oak and chestnut groves. Around the streams and brooks, splendid riverside woodlands such as alders and hazelnuts complete the wooded blanket of the massif. |
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The predominant wildlife in the Gavarres massif is characteristic of Mediterranean sclerophyl woodland, and in particular cork oak groves in their various states. The diversity of habitats on the land at Can Puig de Fitor means that there is also a great variety of species of fauna. The widest range of birds and animals is to be found in the cork oak groves. There are both forest species and ones that live in hedgerows and thinned woodland, as cork oak groves are semi-open which enables significant undergrowth to develop.
This diversity can be seen in the number of diurnal butterflies, totalling 188 species, while the number of species of invertebrates found in Les Gavarres is less than 300. Amphibians are to be found in ponds and small lakes scattered all over the massif; a particularly important one is at Can Puig, where in addition to aquatic flora and fauna you can also find an impressive example of a "surol·lí", a holly oak and cork holly oak hybrid. There are more than 50 species of birds in the area, including buzzards (Buteo buteo), vultures (Gyps fulvus), eagle owls (Bubo bubo), nightjars (Caprimulgus europaeus), woodlarks (Lullula arborea), harriers (Circus pygargus), woodcocks (scolopax rusticola), woodpeckers, European nuthatches (Sitta europaea), short-toed treecreepers (Certhia brachydactyla) and different species of tits. As for mammals, there are squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris), common hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus), foxes (Vulpes vulpes), genets (Genetta genetta) and wild boars (Sus scrofa).
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The Gavarres are notable for the exceptional cultural heritage which, since time immemorial, has been left by the inhabitants of the massif.
Here we can find elements of considerable architectural, historic and cultural value, such as Neolithic funerary monuments (dolmens and menhirs), defensive constructions and medieval bastions, Romanesque and pre-Romanesque religious buildings, farmhouses and mansion houses and buildings associated with traditional activities and the exploitation of resources. Lime and glass ovens, mills, mill dams, coal workings, springs and ice wells are some good examples of these. |
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An extensive network of paths and signposted itineraries enable visitors to discover the massif, which can be approached from several different villages in the environs.
Two of these routes cross the land. The first starts in Mont-ras and goes to Palamós. It is 13.41 km long and can be done in a little over 4 hours. It has a height difference of 300 m. Towards the middle of the route lie Santa Coloma de Fitor and Can Puig de Fitor. At Santa Coloma de Fitor this route links up with the other one which starts in Fonteta. This latter itinerary is a little over 7 km long and can be done in 2 ½ hours. It contains a height difference of 175 m. |
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How to get there |
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| The track which is most used for getting there from outside Les Gavarres runs from Fonteta (Forallac). You can reach it from the GI-6441, which in turn you should join at La Bisbal d'Empordà. It is about 10 km from Fonteta to Santa Coloma de Fitor which is between 30 and 45 minutes by car. |
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Services - Consorci de les Gavarres.
Finca Camps i Armet s/n (Can Geronès). 17121 Monells.
Tel. 972 643 695 - Recreation area, car park, information centre
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