Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
between Port d'Alcúdia and Ca'n Picafort, is prime birdwatching territory, with 303 re-
corded species (more than 80% of recorded Balearic species), 64 of which breed within
the park's boundaries; more than 10,000 birds overwinter here, among them both resid-
ents and migrants. Entrance to the park is free, but permits must be obtained from the
visitor centre
, which is a 1km walk from the entrance gates.
The so-called
Gran Canal
at the heart of the park was designed to channel the water
out to sea. The five-arched
Pont de Sa Roca bridge
was built over it in the late 19th
century to ease travel between Santa Margalida and Alcúdia. The park is considered a
Ramsar Wetland of National Importance, and in addition to the bird species, around 400
plant species have been catalogued here.
The visitor centre can provide information on the park and its birdlife, and is the trail-
head for several walks through these protected wetlands. From here, 14km of signposted
trails fan out across the park. There are four marked
itineraries
, from 725m (30 minutes)
to 11.5km (3½ hours), two of which can be covered by bike. Of the six timber
aguaits
(birdwatching observatories) - come inside and watch in silence - some are better than
others. You'll see lots of wading birds in action from the Bishop I and II
aguaits
on the
north side of the Gran Canal. There are a further six observation decks.
Buses between Ca'n Picafort and Alcúdia stop by a small car park near the park en-
trance.
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Platja de Muro
Around 5km south of Port d'Alcúdia (on the bus line to Ca'n Picafort), Platja de Muro
often makes the grade in lists of Mallorca's best beaches. While we are not entirely con-
vinced about the better-than-the-Caribbean hype, it's certainly a beauty, with pale, soft
sand backed by pines and the dunes of the Parc Natural de S'Albufera. The water is shal-
low and azure.
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Ca'n Picafort & Around
Ca'n Picafort, and its southern extension,
Son Bauló
, is a package-tour frontier town,
somewhat raw and raggedy. But the beaches are pretty good and there are some interest-
