El Hondo (also confusingly known as El Fondo) has been a Nature Park since 1988 and is on the RAMSAR wetlands conservation lists and is classified as a Special Protection Area for Birds, or ZEPA. This park is part of what used to be the Elche Lagoon, almost completely drained from the 18th century onwards. Today there are two controlled reservoirs around which form a series of ponds and salt marshes and these in turn are surrounded by fields and palm plantations, making it a pretty place to visit at any time of the year.
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Places of Interest
- N38°11.256 W0°47.451
Parking: is in the car park and is free, it is best to park in the first car park (furthest away from the centre) as this never gets locked.
From here: walk to the Visitors Centre to find out more about the park, the toilets are on the opposite side of the building to the front door and the picnic area is to the far side of the building looking out over the reserve.
Top tip: pack a picnic and take the binoculars!
- N38°11.256 W0°47.451
Parking: is in the car park and is free, it is best to park in the first car park (furthest away from the centre) as this never gets locked.
From here: go past the Visitors Centre and start on the wooden walkway, once this has finished follow the path to the small white building which is beside an irrigation canal and lots of palm trees, turn left and continue to the lookout tower, then turn left infront of the large irrigation canal following the white and green posts back to the car park.
Top tip: pack a picnic and take the binoculars!
