Introduction
You are now entering into the realm of garrigue, also known as maquis, a low plant community which, while it may not look like it, is home to interesting activity in its biodiversity. Depending on the place, different types of garrigue appear, but it is always characterised by containing kermes oak in greater abundance than other species, a shrub from the same genus as the holm oaks and oaks (Quercus), which is the best suited to extremely thin, dry, calcareous and stony soils as are found in much of the Montgrí Massif. This is, to some extent, the area’s natural type of vegetation. Depending on location, different types of garrigue can be found: with galingale, especially in the valley of Santa Caterina; with turpentine trees; and also with cistus, which is the most abundant type, especially in places that have been disturbed or where there have been fires which facilitates this variety with much more heliophyte species such as cistus, rosemary, thyme, flax-leaved daphne…
As for animal life, ocellated lizards, ladder snakes and green whip snakes, rabbits and many others can easily be seen there. The most emblematic birds of the garrigue are the Montagu's harrier, the kestrel and Bonelli’s eagle, which is at risk of extinction and is closely monitored in the area. If you are very quiet, you might see one.