A Walk Around S’Albufera Natural Park

Declared a natural park in 1988 and listed as protected by several different agencies, this 1648.5 hectares of ancient wetland draws bird watchers and nature lovers from all over Europe, who come along hoping to catch a glimpse or a photograph of one of the rare or reintroduced species inhabiting the park.

Not just for birdwatchers, this park is a lovely place for a day out if you just want to wander and hike and do a little communing with nature. The park is free to enter but they do ask that you go first to the reception building and gain a permit, also free, for your visit. The permit contains plenty of information about the park and you can also pick up a bird list on which to check off the species that you observe, at current count this list has 95 species on and a space for you to add any extras that you observe, the bird list as well as the permit and information are available in several languages.

Once inside the park you are free to walk as much or as little as you like however bear in mind that the reception building where you will acquire your permit is 1.1 km from the main road. Once in, there are 4 trails that you can choose to follow, 3 which take between 30 – 45 minutes to walk and one which takes over 3 hours and maps out a large square route of 11,500m around the interior of the park. This long trail Cami d’Enmig and one of the short ones, Es Colombars are accessible for cyclists the other two are for pedestrians only.

The time scales are only guidelines however, as on even the shortest trail there are forks in the path to explore and several bird watching hides in which you can sit and observe the birds at your leisure, turning a 30 minute hike into a 3 hour sit if you wish to. The walks are lovely and peaceful, weaving through tree lined paths along the river and some are screened off from the world entirely by the giant reeds and grasses growing so profusely every where. There’s more to see than just the birds, be sure to peer into all the rivers for fish, tadpoles and terrapins and you’ll definitely spot the jewel coloured dragonflies flitting around. Near to the reception building is also an audiovisual exhibit showing different elements of the park's history and the changes visible there through the seasons.

The trails themselves are not arduous there is no elevation to any of them, however the humidity and heat of the park can be exhausting, so ensure that you take plenty of water with you and sunscreen and perhaps consider saving this activity for an overcast day if you feel the heat, or have anyone fragile in your party. The hides are great places to duck out of the sun for half an hour.

Please note that S’Albufera is a nature park with integrity, they have made no attempt to turn themselves into a theme park or children’s play ground. You will find no slides or swing sets here, there is no café or coffee hut, there is a small shop in reception where you can buy bird watching books and maps but nothing so frivolous as a commemorative key ring, and the vending machines dispensing bottled water and instant coffee are as much sustenance as you will find on site, so if you’re planning to make a day of it be sure to pack some sandwiches.

You can get to the park easily enough it is located on the Playa de Muro road and is well sign posted, there is parking available and the number 2 bus which runs from Puerto Pollenca to Ca’n Picafort can drop you off out side the park from where you have easy access to Playa de Muro’s myriad of restaurants and shops if you want to pick up supplies before you head into the park.

S’Albufera natural park is a great day out for bird watchers, nature lovers, photographers, hikers and cyclists, a peaceful place to wander for anyone looking to escape the beach crowds for a few hours or a day out away from resort.