The Banyoles irrigation channels are an infrastructure unique to the city. It is a network of small canals built by the monks of the Sant Esteve monastery in the 19th century, which conducts the water coming from the Lake.
Thus, by following the route of the water through the channels, you’ll reach the town centre, where you’ll discover the importance of water in the economy and life of the people of Banyoles.
Download the itinerary here
The walk around the lake of Banyoles is one of the best known in the Region, both by visitors and locals.
It is a low-difficulty, circular route signposted as Route Number 1.
While doing this walk, which completely circles Banyoles Lake, you can enjoy the great natural and scenic wealth and take in all the viewpoints and ponds in the area.
A walking route that enables you to discover an area of wetlands and ponds that are still completely untouched where lives the white storks.
Continuing on the route, you’ll arrive at Les Estunes, a forest of holm oaks and oaks where you can see large travertine plates with fissures you can walk though and where, as legend will have it, the aloges (water women) live.
On the return way, you'll discover part of the daily life of the people of Banyoles of the mid- 19th century. Through the Font Pudosa fountain and the old spa there.
THE ROUTE CATALOG WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON
A walking route, signposted as Route 3, which begins at the church of Santa Maria de Porqueres, the most important example of the Romanesque style in the region, near Banyoles Lake.
Next, skirting the Lake, you’ll come to the Can Morgat ponds, where you can stop to look at the various species of birds and animals that live there.
The path then climbs towards the hills going up to Puig Clarà mount. Once on top, at a height of 315 metres, there is a vantage point from where you can enjoy an impressive panoramic view of Banyoles Lake and the city, as well as much of the Empordà plain. From the same point, in the opposite direction, you’ll find another vantage point showing the nearest mountains.
The pesqueres are small buildings in the water of the Lake on the east bank and have been declared an Asset of National Cultural Interest (in the category of Historic Garden) by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia.
There are a total of 20 pesqueres, each with its own name.
They were built between the mid-19th century and 1939, and during that time they were renovated and adapted.
The initial function of the pesqueres was to store fishing equipment. Later, many of them were extended so that they could house a boat. Finally, with the arrival of sports activities and the rise of the Banyoles bourgeoisie, they were adapted for bathing and even as accommodation.
Most of the 20 pesqueres are for private use (administrative concession). The only one accessible is pesquera number 10, used as the Lake’s Tourist Office.
A low-difficulty circular route that completely encircles Banyoles Lake and lets you stop at the viewpoints and ponds in the area.
In some areas, the route goes along asphalted cycle lanes beside the footpath that goes around the Lake, while in other stretches, it follows a gravel track.
These routes, based on the book “Soldiers of Salamina” by the writer Javier Cercas, are made up of various roads that pass through locations that include Palol de Revardit, Sant Miquel de Campmajor, Cornellà del Terri, and the Sanctuary of Santa Maria del Collell. They are places that were severely affected by the Civil War.
> Regional Council Pla de l'Estany
The El Pla de l’Estany region also offers a variety of walking routes that reveal some of the natural and historic heritage of the area.
The El Pla de l’Estany region enjoys privileged surroundings for cycling, both on the road and mountainbiking. So that all visitors can discover the area by bike, you'll find different places to rent a bicycle:
Centre BTT Pla de l'Estany - Banyoles Ctra. Circumval·lació a l’Estany, s/n 17834 Porqueres Telephone: (+34) 699 770 647
Lloguer Bicis Banyoles Passeig Darder – pesquera núm. 10 17820 Banyoles Telephone: (+34) 626 225 200 www.lloguerbicisbanyoles.cat info@lloguerbicisbanyoles.cat
Cycling Giant Rent Carrer de la Rambla, 32 17820 Banyoles Telephone: (+34) 972 57 06 95 https://cyclinggiantrent.com/
The natural wealth of Banyoles Lake makes it ideal for angling. You’ll need a fishing license issued by the Autonomous Government of Catalonia and you’ll also need a specific permit in a controlled fishing area for the Banyoles Lake area and the Vilar pond.
Permits are available for 1 day, 15 days or up to 5 years (counted from the date of application).
The specific permit is either for 1 day or annual (calendar year).
These permits can be obtained through:
INTERNET
Obtain or renew the fishing license through www.gencat.cat
FISHING LICENSE
Obtain or renew the fishing permit in a controlled fishing area through www.gencat.cat
PERMIT IN A CONTROLLED FISHING AREA
When you take out the permit for the controlled area, bear in mind the following details: - River: Ter - Type: Without kill - Species: Cyprinids IN PERSON
Check where the closest office is to manage the license and the fishing permit in a controlled area
OFFICES WHERE TO PROCESS THE FISHING LICENSE AND PERMIT
Banyoles lake has the ideal conditions for kayaking. Being an environment with an ecosystem very sensitive to changes, private kayaking is prohibited. For this reason visitors are offered a kayak hire service. For further information contact:
Caiac i Natura Telephone: (+34) 699 770 647 www.caiacinatura.com
info@caiacinatura.com
Club Natació Banyoles
Telephone: (+34) 972 57 08 59
www.cnbanyoles.cat
info@cnbanyoles.cat
Being a protected area, Banyoles Lake has 3 defined bathing areas: LA CASETA DE FUSTA A natural area at the north-eastern part of Banyoles Lake. Acces: the bathing area is accessed from the path that circles the Lake. You can reach it either on foot or by bike. The nearest place to park your car is at La Draga Park.
Location in Google Maps Bathing season: June to mid-September Times: (according to month and season) Price: free CLUB NATACIÓ BANYOLES Sports facilities with a variety of services such as the Lake bathing area, indoor and outdoor swimming pools (covered in winter), gym, dressing rooms, etc. Acces: passeig Antoni Gaudí, 3 (Banyoles)
Location in Google Maps Bathing season: mid-June to mid-September Times: 9 in the morning to 9 in the evening
Price:
- Club members: free
- Non-members: €11 all day, €5.80 from 4 pm on, €4.10 from 8 pm on
For further information contact: Club Natació Banyoles Passeig Antoni Gaudí, 3 17820 Banyoles Telephone: (+34) 972 57 08 59 www.cnbanyoles.cat secretaria@cnbanyoles.cat BANYS VELLS Bar with a terrace on the Lake which has an area for swimming. Acces: passeig Lluís Marià Vidal, 1 (Banyoles)
Location in Google Maps Bathing season: July and August Times: 10 in the morning to 8 in the evening Price: obligatory minimum consumption For further information contact: Banys Vells Banyoles Passeig Lluís Marià Vidal, 1 17820 Banyoles
Telephone: (+34) 872 26 03 71 / 683 30 37 31 www.banysvellsdebanyoles.com reservas@banysvellsdebanyoles.com
HÍPICA COMARCAL PLA DE L'ESTANY Carrer Cerdanya 10 17834 Porqueres Telephon numbers: 972 57 42 00- 689 25 30 04
www.hipicabosqueros.com
The Mas Pagès Golf pitch and putt is 14 km from Banyoles. Mas Pagès Golf has an 18-hole course, as well as the par 54 and standard 56 Pitch & Putt. For further information contact : Mas Pagès Golf 17468 Sant Esteve de Guialbes (Vilademuls) Telephone: 972 56 10 01 www.maspages.com
maspages@maspages.com
A unique experience with a different view of Banyoles, seen from the air. The company Camins de Vent offers you this chance. For further information contact the company: Camins de Vent Telephone: (+34) 675 100 200 www.caminsdevent.com info@caminsdevent.com
January, closed for holidays
Opened in 1916, the Darder Museum is one of the oldest in the Girona region. The Darder Area currently houses a natural history collection that re-creates the vision people had of natural sciences in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Another part of the museum, the Lake Interpretation Area, is devoted to telling the story of the formation of the lakeland area.
For more information, timetable and prices you may look at the webpage of Museus de Banyoles
www.museusdebanyoles.cat
Museu Darder Plaça dels Estudis, 2 17820 Banyoles Tel. (+34) 972 57 44 67 www.museusdebanyoles.cat museudarder@ajbanyoles.org
In November La Draga park is the scene of a fair with a long history, the Sant Martirià Fair. The big stars of this fair are the horses, which take part in morphological competitions and equestrian exhibitions.
But you won’t only find horses. There is also a classic show of Breeds of the Catalan Countries, a Drawing and Painting Fair, a Craft Market and the Firestany trade fair.
Fair of Sant Martirià 2020 Days: 14 and 15 november Place: parc de la Draga
Organised by: Banyoles Town Council - Economic Promotion Department and Associació Fira Sant Martirià
The GR signposts are white and red.
STAGE 3 : CAN DALMAU - BANYOLES Distance: 12,49km Uphill: 203m Downhill: 206m Route time: Approximately 3 hours For further information on the track, plus a map STAGE 4: BANYOLES – BESALÚ Distance: 13,63km Uphill: 260m Downhill: 294m Route time: Approximately 3 hours For further information on the track, plus a map
Rowing in surroundings like the Banyoles Lake is a pleasure. The Naviliera les Goges company offers you the chance to hire a leisure rowing-boat and enjoy nature and sport at first hand. For further information, prices and opening hours contact: Naviliera les Goges Passeig Darder – pesquera núm. 10 (Oficina de Turisme de l’Estany) 17820 Banyoles Telephone numbers: (+34) 972 58 34 70 / (+34) 626 225 200 www.navilieralesgoges.cat info@navilieralesgoges.cat
Dragon Boat is a type of sports and leisure canoeing which originated in Chinese culture, with the dragon as its main symbol. It is based on a boat with 10 rowers, 1 cox and 1 drummer. It is an activity that suits everyone, exciting and fun, and which strengthens teamwork. For further information contact:
Agenda Sports & Elements Passeig de la Generalitat, 21 17820 Banyoles Telephone: (+34) 972 58 06 39 www.dragonboatemotions.com info@dragonboatemotions.com / info@agendasports.com
The Escola de Natura Banyoles (Banyoles Nature School) is an organisation aimed at environmental education, awareness-raising and communication. It offers various visits and workshops on the natural surroundings of Banyoles Lake, as well as other areas of interest near the region. For further information contact:
Escola de Natura Passeig de la Draga, 5 17820 Banyoles Telephone: (+34) 972 58 13 16 www.escolanaturabanyoles.org correu@escolanaturabanyoles.org