A Walk Through The Albufera Natural Park In Valencia

A walk through the Albufera Natural Park in Valencia

The Albufera Natural Park is one of the most amazing places in the Valencian Community. With an area of ​​almost 24 km² and surrounded by rice fields, it is a corner of extraordinary ecological wealth. Join us and discover absolutely everything about this extraordinary natural park.

Albufera Natural Park , an unforgettable experience

Boat in the Albufera Natural Park of Valencia
Albufera de Valencia – keith ellwood / Flickr.com

The Albufera Natural Park in Valencia is one of the most unique natural environments that you can visit. This place is located very close to the Valencian capital, just 10 kilometers away, so it can be a perfect excursion if you visit the city.

In this park, which is one of the most important wetlands on the Iberian Peninsula, we find the largest lake in Spain. A place of great ecological interest where various species of aquatic birds live or hibernate, some of them in danger of extinction, such as the samaruc and the farlet. It is also a passage area for many migratory birds.

This natural space, therefore, which is much more than dream landscapes.  Its great wealth lies in the fauna and flora that abound in it, as interesting as it is varied.

How to get to the Albufera Natural Park?

Heron in the Albufera Natural Park of Valencia
Garza – Mark Chinnick / Flickr.com

To access this wonderful natural environment you can use your private vehicle from the city of Valencia. From there you should take the El Saler road and in about 10 kilometers you will have reached the park.

Once in the park, the ideal is to park your car at the Racó de L’Olla Visitor Center. There, you will be able to receive all kinds of information about the park and its natural and scenic wealth, as well as recommendations for your visit. Starting the walk from that point is, therefore, the most recommended.

Another way to get to the park is through the EMT buses, specifically those on line 25. These buses will take you directly to El Palmar and Perellonet from the city center. In less than an hour you will be in the park and the cost is really affordable, since tickets cost less than 2 euros.

Knowing the Albufera Natural Park

Different trails run through the natural park that will allow you to discover all its richness. You can visit it on foot or by bicycle, but it is important that you do not deviate from the signposted places to avoid getting lost, remember that it is a natural environment.

The marsh

Rice field in the Albufera of Valencia
Rice field – Marcela Escandell / Flickr.com

This is the name given to lands that were part of the lake, but today are dedicated to rice cultivation.  In fact, they currently occupy a very prominent part of the park, no less than 14,000 hectares of land. Because of its beauty and its meaning, it is worth enjoying them calmly.

And a fundamental part of the marsh are the springs. Up to fifty can be found, in varying degrees of conservation. But they are important not only for their waters, but because they are home to animal and plant species of great interest.

The lake

Lake of the Albufera Natural Park in Valencia
Lake – Enrique Domingo / Flickr.com

It is the largest lake in Spain, although in the last century its size has been significantly reduced. It is separated from the sea by a string of dunes and you can still see old boats with sails and a long pal, the “percha”, to move through its waters.

Dehesa del Saler

It is that area that serves as a separation between the lake and the sea. An area populated by Mediterranean forest, mainly pine trees and bushes. It is a perfect place to visit with children, for the tranquility of the environment, for its beauty and for the fauna that you can see in it, from squirrels to rabbits or birds.

As you have seen, the Albufera Natural Park is one of the most important and beautiful natural areas not only in Valencia, but in all of Spain. Visiting this space is enjoying an unforgettable experience, for something the Albufera has been the inspiration of countless artists.

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