Autumn once again brings one of the year's most eagerly awaited natural spectacles to Aragon. The first cranes have already begun arriving at Gallocanta Lake, located between the provinces of Zaragoza and Teruel, marking the start of a migration that brings thousands of birds to this natural setting every season.
For now, their presence is still limited, and new arrivals are taking place gradually, something that is common during the first weeks of the migratory period. However, as autumn progresses, this Aragonese wetland will once again become a meeting point for numerous flocks crossing Europe in search of warmer temperatures.
The activities will take place every weekend and public holiday, with two daily sessions at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
For those who want to experience this phenomenon firsthand, the Government of Aragon has organized a new edition of 'A Route with the Cranes', a free activity that will allow visitors to observe these birds in their natural habitat from next Saturday, October 24.
GALLOCANTA LAKE PREPARES TO RECEIVE THOUSANDS OF CRANES
Every autumn, thousands of cranes begin a long journey from northern and eastern Europe to their wintering grounds. During this journey, known as post-breeding migration, the birds travel thousands of kilometers and make several stops to rest and feed before continuing on their way.
One of the most important stopovers is precisely in Aragon. The Gallocanta Lake Managed Nature Reserve provides a vital refuge for this species, which finds the conditions it needs in the wetland surroundings to regain strength during its journey.
The importance of this location is reflected in the figures. According to official data from the Government of Aragon, more than 19,000 cranes were counted in a single day in the Gallocanta basin in November 2025, a concentration that illustrates the scale of this migratory phenomenon.
The passage of the cranes has also become an important tourist attraction for the area. Every year, photographers, birdwatchers and nature lovers travel to the lake to watch the large flocks flying over the landscape, especially during the first and final hours of the day.
HOW TO SEE GALLOCANTA'S CRANES FOR FREE THIS AUTUMN
Coinciding with the beginning of the migratory season, the Interpretation Center of the Gallocanta Lake Managed Nature Reserve is once again organizing its popular guided tours under the name 'A Route with the Cranes'.
This initiative, promoted by the Department of Environment and Tourism of the Government of Aragon, offers the chance to explore the lake surroundings accompanied by an environmental educator. During the activity, visitors make several explanatory and observation stops to discover the characteristics of these birds.
Participants will learn about their behavior, diet, morphology and migration routes, as well as why Gallocanta plays such an important role in their movements across Europe.
The experience is designed to bring this natural phenomenon closer to the public and allow visitors to observe cranes in the wild while discovering the secrets of their migration.
It is also completely free, making it an ideal way to enjoy Aragonese nature over the coming weekends.
DATES, TIMES AND BOOKINGS FOR THE GUIDED TOURS
The tours will begin on Saturday, October 24, and continue until early December, coinciding with one of the most significant periods of the cranes' migration through Gallocanta.
The activities will take place every weekend and public holiday, with two daily sessions at 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
The meeting point is the Gallocanta Lake Interpretation Center, located on the road connecting the towns of Bello and Tornos.
Although participation is free, advance booking is required through the Aragon Natural Network website, where visitors can check the activity details and complete their registration.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GALLOCANTA TO SEE THE CRANES?
The arrival of the first cranes marks the start of a season that will intensify as autumn progresses. Although some birds can already be seen, the largest concentrations usually occur during the middle weeks of the migration, especially between late October and November.
One of the most striking moments to watch them is at dawn, when the birds leave their resting areas and head toward nearby fields in search of food. Sunset offers another characteristic scene, with numerous flocks returning to the lake as their calls echo across the wetland.
However, the number of cranes present can vary from one day to the next depending on weather conditions and the progress of the migration.
With the first birds already settled in the area and the guided tours about to begin, Gallocanta Lake is once again emerging as one of Aragon's top nature destinations this autumn. It is an opportunity to observe up close a phenomenon that transforms the landscape of this corner of the region every year.
