Parc naturel de la vallée de Sorteny

General view
General view
Cottongrass
Iris latifolia
Narthecium ossifragum & cottongrass
Salix lapponum ceretana

Parc naturel de la vallée de Sorteny

  • Country: 
    Andorra
  • Site number: 
    2071
  • Area: 
    1,080 ha
  • Designation date: 
    23-07-2012
  • Coordinates: 
    42°37'N 01°34'E
Materials presented on this website, particularly maps and territorial information, are as-is and as-available based on available data and do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the Ramsar Convention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

Overview

A high mountainous site in the Pyrenees, reaching up to 2,915 metres above sea level, consisting of humid meadows, alkaline fens, bog woodland, several pools and a small alpine lake. The Site offers habitat to several rare plant and animal species including the vulnerable Pyrenean desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) and the near-threatened Pyrenean brook salamander (Calotriton asper). It is also the most easterly known site for Aurelio’s rock lizard (Iberolacerta aurelioi) which has a very restricted distribution range and is endemic to the Pyrenees. The Site is important for the provision and purification of water as well as for the general hydrological balance of the area. In terms of cultural heritage, the Site contains remains of constructions related to traditional activities of iron mining and livestock breeding, the latter still practiced today. The Site is also increasingly used for tourism and recreation as well as for research. The park contains a visitors’ centre, and a botanic garden featuring around 300 species of sub-alpine and alpine flora. There are also interpretive trails with information on birds, butterflies and wetlands (located outside the areas in question). Guided tours are organized within the Site.

Administrative region: 
Ordino

  • National legal designation: 
    • parc naturel - vallée de Sorteny
    • réserve nationale de chasse - vallée de Sorteny
  • Last publication date: 
    11-07-2023

Downloads

Ramsar Information Sheet (RIS)

Additional reports and documents