Other than the natural area of Aigüestortes and Estany de Sant Maurici, designated as a national park structure, two natural parks spread over the western part of the Catalan Pyrenees. The Alt Pirineu Natural Park is a space of superlative size; its 80,000 hectares make it the largest natural park in Catalonia. Within its borders we also encounter another record-breaking number, the Pica d’Estats, which is the tallest mountain in Catalonia with 3,143 metres. The park is home to some endangered species such as the wood grouse, the brown bear and the native Pallaresa lizard, which are not easy to spot.
The Alt Pirineu (High Pyrenees) Natural Park forms part of the Pyrenean Park of the Three Nations. It is one four natural parks that are located in Andorra, Catalonia and France; the others are the Regional Natural Park of the Ariège Pyrenees, the Communal Natural Park of the Valls del Comapedrosa and the Vall de Sorteny Natural Park.
Its neighbour is the Cadí-Moixeró Natural Park, which protects the two mountain ranges that are linked by the Tancalaporta pass. This is the best place in Catalonia to observe wallcreepers as well as other birds from the mountainous and sub-alpine forests of the Pyrenees, such as the black woodpecker, featured in the park’s logo, or Tengmalm’s owl.
