ATTRACTIONS, INVENTORY AND MAPPING FOR ADVENTURE TOURISM CATALONIA This publication has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union under the ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the Official Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services and Navigation of Barcelona and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union or the Programme management structures. The European Union is made up of 28 Member States who have decided to gradually link together their know-how, resources and destinies. Together, during a period of enlargement of 50 years, they have built a zone of stability, democracy and sustainable development whilst maintaining cultural diversity, tolerance and individual freedoms. The European Union is committed to sharing its achievements and its values with countries and peoples beyond its borders. The 2014-2020 ENI CBC Mediterranean Sea Basin Programme is a multilateral Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) initiative funded by the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI). The Programme objective is to foster fair, equitable and sustainable economic, social and territorial development, which may advance cross-border integration and valorise participating countries’ territories and values. The following 13 countries participate in the Programme: Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Palestine, Portugal, Spain, Tunisia. The Managing Authority (JMA) is the Autonomous Region of Sardinia (Italy). Official Programme languages are Arabic, English and French. For more information, please visit: www.enicbcmed.eu MEDUSA project has a budget of 3.3 million euros, being 2.9 million euros the European Union contribution (90%). CONTENTS 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. INTRODUCTION TO PILOT AREAS ............................... 3 2. ATTRACTION INVENTORY FOR ADVENTURE .................................................... 6 2.1. ATTRACTION LIST AND MAPPING ............................................................................................ 7 2.1.1. NATURE RESOURCES ..........................................................................................................................................................................7 2.1.2. CULTURAL RESOURCES .................................................................................................................................................................15 2.1.3 ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES ...............................................................................................................................................................34 2.2 ATTRACTION ASSESSMENT IN PILOT AREAS ......................................................................71 2.2.1 ALT EMPORDÀ ........................................................................................................................................................................................71 2.2.2 ALT PENEDÈS ........................................................................................................................................................................................83 2.2.3 BAIX EBRE ...............................................................................................................................................................................................92 2.2.4 BERGUEDÀ............................................................................................................................................................................................102 3. ADVENTURE TOURISM ECOSYSTEM IN PILOT AREAS .................................... 114 3.1 INFRASTRUCTURE AND MOBILITY ..........................................................................................115 3.2 SERVICES OFFERED TO VISITORS ......................................................................................... 124 3.3 DMO AND PROMOTION ENTITIES ......................................................................................... 126 3.4 STAKEHOLDERS AND AGENTS INVOLVED IN ADVENTURE TOURISM ....................... 128 4. CONCLUSION ....................................................................................................134 5. RESOURCES .......................................................................................................138 6. APPENDIX ..........................................................................................................139 ACRONYMS .........................................................................................................................................141 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY. INTRODUCTION TO PILOT AREAS Catalonia is a prime tourist destination. In order to be able to carry out an Its wide range of attractions for all sorts accurate analysis and mapping and with of visitors place it among Europe’s top the main objective of obtaining a useful, tourist regions. Catalonia also has a lot to operational, applicable output, four pilot offer in terms of adventure tourism. areas have been selected. Those are: Alt Empordà, Alt Penedès, Baix Ebre and Berguedà. PILOT AREAS ALT EMPORDÀ Capital: Figueres Area: 1,357 Km2 BERGUEDÀ Inhabitants: 141,339 1 Nº of beds: 51,333 Capital: Berga Area: 1,185 Km2 Inhabitants: 39,446 4 Nº of beds: 10,614 ALT PENEDÈS 2 Capital: Vilafranca del Penedès Area: 592.7 Km2 Inhabitants: 108,411 Nº of beds: 7,287 BAIX EBRE Capital: Tortosa Area: 1,003 Km2 3 Inhabitants: 77,596 Nº of beds: 6,927 Source: Author’s data and IDESCAT. Note: The number of beds includes hotels and pensions, campsites and rural accommodation. Attractions, Inventory and Mapping for Adventure Tourism - Catalonia 5 ALT EMPORDÀ BAIX EBRE Located in the north of Catalonia, Alt The Baix Ebre region is part of a wider Empordà forms a border with France. territory known as the Terres de l’Ebre, It nestles between the Mediterranean an area that encompasses the four Sea and the Pyrenees and is a unique counties along the river Ebre’s nearly place, boasting both sea and mountains. 130-kilometre stretch through Catalonia. It possesses a great wealth of culture, The Baix Ebre has singular characteristics gastronomy and landscapes: from the which define the region and differentiate tilled plains with enclosures and wetlands it from other parts of Catalonia. It’s a covering the rugged northern coast virtual kaleidoscope made up of three with its small coves and magnificent natural elements: the river Ebre (a lively marine life to the steepest peaks of the and partially navigable river that plays a Pyrenees in the region’s inland area. It role of the utmost importance), the sea is an extraordinary territory in terms of and the mountains. Most of the Terres de natural heritage, being the only region l’Ebre were awarded Biosphere Reserve in Catalonia with three classified natural status in 2013 and it has been recognised areas in just 100 km². Its tourist provision as one of the world’s top 100 sustainable is amazing. destinations. ALT PENEDÈS BERGUEDÀ The Mediterranean environment created The Berguedà region is made up of by the combination of sun and sea the upper valley of the river Llobregat, makes the Penedès a privileged territory located between the Central Depression for winemaking. Never-ending vineyards and the Pyrenees. The northern half of are the Alt Penedès’s most distinctive the county has altitudes of over 2,000m, landmark. Situated at the core of the while the southern half has rivers running Denomination of Origin Penedès area, it through gentle valleys, where one of the is scattered with farmhouses and small largest groups of old industrial colonies rural towns and it showcases a surprising in Europe is located. In 2019 and 2020, the architectural and archaeological Berguedà region was awarded the Top heritage. The region’s strong tradition of 100 Sustainable Destinations Award by viniculture supports an impressively wide Green Destinations and it came third in range of wine-related tourist activities: the Best Communities & Culture awards. It from horse-riding routes, mountain biking encompasses one of the biggest natural and walking trails and 4x4 itineraries parks in Catalonia, the Cadí-Moixeró that stop off at the different cellars and Natural Park. wineries, to wine-tasting activities and guided visits offered by wine experts, etc. Attractions, Inventory and Mapping for Adventure Tourism - Catalonia 6 2. ATTRACTION INVENTORY FOR ADVENTURE Attractions, Inventory and Mapping for Adventure Tourism - Catalonia 7 Natural resources in Catalonia are living 2.1. attraction list and areas, where nature can be enjoyed at mapping first hand. A wide range of activities for all sorts of visitors, special facilities for 2.1.1. Nature Resources observing the flora and fauna, along with More than 30% of the Catalan territory a network of specialised companies with enjoys some degree of special protection. expert knowledge of their environments, One national park, 14 natural parks, etc. allow the visitor to be directly in marine and nature reserves, natural sites touch with local nature and to have an of national interest and a dozen protected incredible experience. It does, of course, natural areas managed by the Barcelona have to be taken into consideration that Provincial Council define the nature due to the protection level of these areas, profile of Catalonia. Also noteworthy some kinds of activities and behaviours is the Montseny Natural Park and the are totally forbidden by law. Each area