Serra del Cadí: Prat de Cadí Itinerary

  1. Time: Most of a day.
  2. Starting point: N-260 Martinet de Cerdanya

From Martinet de Cerdanya head towards la Seu d'Urgell. Just out of the village turn left following a sign to Montellà. Cross over the River Segre and some 200m on take the turning for Estana, which is some 6.5km distant.

The approach to Estana is mostly dominated by open Box and Mediterranean type scrub where, by stopping at suitable locations, it is possible to see species such as Woodchat Shrike, Southern Grey Shrike, Cirl Bunting, Ortolan Bunting, Dartford Warbler, Bonelli's Warbler and Short-toed Eagle.

Park on the edge of the village and continue on foot, first of all to the Coll de Pallers. A brief walk around this area could reveal species like Red-backed Shrike, Wryneck, Melodious Warbler, Bullfinch and Tree Pipit.

From here follow the marked route to the Prat de Cadí through Scots Pine woods where it is easy to see Firecrest, Coal Tit and Crested Tit. Higher up the Scots Pine is substituted by Black Pine and a different array of higher-altitude bird species. After about an hour's uphill walk from the Coll de Pallers you reach the Prat de Cadí, where it is recommended to search the surrounding forest for Citril Finch, Crossbill, Ring Ousel and the often noisy but rather elusive Black Woodpecker. It's also worth keeping an eye out over the serra for raptors such as Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Short-toed Eagle and Lammergeier, as well as Red-billed and Alpine Choughs

If desired it's possible to continue along a path on the opposite side of the Prat de Cadí that leads westwards into the forest and an area favoured by Capercaillie. On reaching a scree slope head southwards to get to a summit overlooking a clearing called the Prat dels Pous.

Wallcreeper - Birding in Prat de CadíWallcreepers are regular visitors to the rock faces hereabouts, so it's worth spending some time scanning the walls before heading back down to the Prat de Cadí along a path leaving in a northeasterly direction.