Itinerary of the Cal Gat marsh along the path along Ter. Route 26 Ripollès

This is a route that takes us to discover the fauna and flora of the cal Gat swamp, combining a section of the Itinerànnia network of trails with the Ferro i el Carbó greenway 

It starts at the Itinerànnia R23 Palau de l’Abadia crossroads. We cross the Arçamala stream and continue along Passeig de la Plana to the last house in the urbanization, where we find R22 La Plana crossroads and continue in the direction of Ripoll. We take the track that goes to the left and cross a chain. The track becomes narrower until it becomes a path that follows the left bank of the river Ter. The path crosses the Oliba stream. Gradually the path rises above the river. The path narrows as it passes under a gypsum cliff, known as Cingles de la Roca, and continues uphill. We continue among fields and farmhouses, always following the yellow and GR markings. We pass by the industrial estate of the Colònia Jordana and cross the waterway that comes out of the power plant.  

After a crossroads we continue along the dirt track. From here we will see the edge of the Gat marsh, a beautiful area of wetlands. We pass by the Serradal farmhouse and later on the Rodonella, until we reach the Ruta del Ferro i del Carbó (Iron and Coal Route) greenway, leave the yellow markings and follow the greenway towards Sant Joan de les Abadesses. A few meters on, we will cross the Ter over the Iron Bridge.  To access the marsh, we enter the facilities of the Ripollès Sports Association, we follow the water way to the bird observatory and then to the viewpoint of the riparian forest of the Cal Gat marsh, known as "la bassa". 

We go back onto the greenway and then, on the sunny side of the valley, we will return to Sant Joan de les Abadesses. After the la Casilla de la Renfe, we can turn off to the charming corner of the Font de la Puda. Another option is following the yellow marks along the greenway, we will reach the old train station, where we will find crossroads R21. We will return to the town centre passing by the old bridge to the monastery and the Plaça de l'Abadia.