The Parque Natural de las Salinas de Santa Pola is a RAMSAR area where they have wanted to provide extra good protection for fauna and flora, while at the same time they have made arrangements for the traditional extraction of salt to continue. Most of the salt lakes are inaccessible to the public, but paths and observation towers have been created that make it possible to see the areas. In some places you also get quite close to animals and plants.
In order to protect nature and wildlife, demarcated footpaths have been created which you must use when visiting the area. In some places, a fence has been set up to allow the birds to rest while you can watch them through openings in the fence.
The salt lakes cover large areas. Here, the water level will change from time to time, as has been done for hundreds of years. Salt water is let into a limited area, the water is allowed to evaporate and the remaining salt is collected. The high salt concentration creates an environment in which few animals and plants can live. But some red algae and small crustaceans thrive here, and the environment is ideal for the flamingos. It is the red algae that color the water red and which in turn give the crustaceans and flamingos their red colour.
An important part of the area are the freshwater ponds that attract animals and birds. Here you can also get so close that you can take a picture of them. Below are some examples of birds you can see. The number and number of species of birds varies greatly throughout the year and from day to day, but you will be able to see flamingos all the time.
At the nature park there is also a beautiful sandy beach. In order to protect birds, animals and plants, walkways have also been created here, which you have to stick to, but you can move freely on the beach itself.
More excursions: www.turideer.com
This weeks excursion: Hike in a nature reserve - Parque Natural de las Salinas de Santa Pola.
Suitable for: Everybody. Especially bird lovers.
Finding your way: Drive the N-332 from Alicante towards Torrevieja. Take the first exit for La Marina and follow the N-332a. Turn left towards el Pinet after a couple of km and follow Cami del Pinet until you reach a car park and the entrance to the nature park. Alternatively, you can search for Eco Route Calle Noruega Elche in Google Maps. You will then come straight to the entrance to the nature park.
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