Banyoles Lake

This area of great landscape and geological interest covers the whole of the so-called lacustrine coast of Banyoles, which separates the Empordà plain from the Transversal mountain range, in the Garrotxa region.

Banyoles Lake, with a surface area of 107 hectares and a characteristic shape in the form of an eight, is one of the largest ones on the Iberian peninsula. The most relevant feature of the lacustrine system is its origin and that of the waters that feed it: filtration of rainwater from certain areas of the Alta Garrotxa and underground water flow that comes to land at this point.

Banyoles Lake and the series of small ponds that surround it throughout the year show a chemical and thermal stratification process. In addition to these characteristics, the lake and surrounding area are home to a variety of lacustrine flora and native wildlife.