The Estany de Sils is one of the most special natural spaces in Girona: once the largest lake in Catalonia, today a protected wetland full of birds. It has three flat, signposted routes, bird hides and free access, and you can explore it in a morning.
It is 5–10 minutes by car from Can Micos, our farmhouse in Riudarenes, and you can also cycle there along country tracks. We are Carmen and Dani, and this is the guide we give our guests.
| Where | Sils, La Selva (Girona), between Girona and the Costa Brava |
| From Can Micos | 5–10 minutes by car, or by bike along tracks |
| Starting point | South car park of Sils railway station |
| By train | R11 and RG1 lines, Sils stop, about 300 m from the entrance |
| Routes | 3 circular signposted routes, 3.5 to 12.2 km, almost flat |
| Price | Free access. Guided visit: €4 adults, €2 ages 7–16 and over 65 |
| Best time | Spring and autumn, with migrating birds |
Our tip: route 1 at sunset
Do route 1, the short loop with the bird hides, late in the afternoon. The light over the water and reeds is beautiful, the birds are busy and in under an hour you are back at the house for dinner.
The 3 Estany de Sils routes
| Route | Distance | On foot | By bike | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Lake loop | 3.5 km | 45 min – 1 h | 30 min | Very easy |
| 2. Old Hide route | 5 km | 1 h 45 | 1 h | Easy |
| 3. Lagoons route | 12.2 km | 2 h 30 | 1 h 20 | Moderate |
- Route 1 passes the viewpoint and three hides over the water. Ideal for families and a first visit.
- Route 2 crosses holm oak woods, fields and poplar groves to the old hide, overlooking the seasonal lagoon.
- Route 3 follows the perimeter of the old lake and coincides with MTB route 9 of La Selva. See our 11 MTB routes in La Selva.
Birds by season
| Season | What you may see |
|---|---|
| Spring | Mallard, shoveler and passing marsh harriers. Duck breeding season. |
| Summer | Bee-eaters, swallows, wood sandpipers and waders on the mud. Plenty of damselflies. |
| Autumn and winter | Common snipe, lapwing, grey heron, coot and northern European birds such as siskins and thrushes. |
| All year | Kingfisher and little egret. |
Other wildlife and plants
The Estany is a refuge for the European pond turtle, an endangered native species, along with newts, tree frogs and grass snakes, and the three-spined stickleback, found nowhere else in the Tordera basin. The vegetation is Mediterranean riverside woodland: alders, reed beds and bulrushes. Invasive species such as the red-eared slider and the American crayfish are its main threat.
History: from great lake to wetland
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| 17th century | Catalonia’s largest natural lake, drawn bigger than Banyoles on maps |
| 1851 | A canal to the Santa Coloma stream drains it |
| 20th century | Hay meadows, then poplar and plane plantations |
| 1998 | Wetland recovery begins with a LIFE project |
| Today | Protected area (PEIN and Natura 2000) with 3 routes and hides |
Information point and guided visits
The information point is at Sils station, with an exhibition and a scale model, usually open at weekend mornings and more days in spring and autumn. Guided visits last about 1 h 30. Check times and book on the official website, estanydesils.cat.
Tips for your visit
- Binoculars: essential for the hides.
- First or last hour: more birds and better light.
- In summer: water, a hat and mosquito repellent.
- Respect: stay on the paths and keep quiet in the hides.
More plans in our La Selva guide.
Can Micos: a holiday home 10 minutes from the Estany de Sils
Can Micos is an 18th-century Catalan farmhouse in Riudarenes (Girona) rented in full to groups of 16 to 25 people, between the Montseny and the Costa Brava.
4.8 out of 5 on Google, with more than 220 reviews from groups who have stayed.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Estany de Sils and how do you get there?
In Sils, in La Selva (Girona). Routes start from the south car park of Sils station, reached by car via the AP-7 or N-II, or by train on the R11 and RG1 lines.
Do you have to pay to visit the Estany de Sils?
No, the routes are free. Only guided visits are paid.
How long does it take to walk around?
The shortest route, the lake loop, is 3.5 km and takes 45 minutes to an hour. The longest, the lagoons route, is 12.2 km and about 2 and a half hours.
Is it a good outing with children?
Yes. The routes are almost flat and children love the bird hides.
When is the best time to see birds?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November), with migrating birds. Best at first light and at dusk.
Shall we send you a quote?
Tell us your dates and how many you are and we will reply in about 30 minutes with the exact price.
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