Autumn is once again bringing one of the year’s most eagerly awaited natural spectacles to Aragon. The first cranes have already begun arriving at Gallocanta Lagoon, located between the provinces of Zaragoza and Teruel, marking the start of a migration that brings thousands of birds to this natural setting each season.
For now, their presence is still limited and the arrival of new birds is taking place gradually, which is typical during the first weeks of the migration 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 starting next Saturday, October 24.
GALLOCANTA LAGOON PREPARES TO WELCOME THOUSANDS OF CRANES
Every autumn, thousands of cranes embark on 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 various stops to rest and feed before continuing on their way.
One of the most important stops is located precisely in Aragon. The Gallocanta Lagoon Directed Nature Reserve is a vital refuge for this species, which finds the conditions it needs to regain strength during its journey in the wetland’s surroundings.
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 cranes’ passage has also become an important tourist attraction for the area. Every year, photographers, birdwatchers and nature lovers travel to the lagoon to watch the large flocks flying over the landscape, especially during the first and last hours of the day.
HOW TO SEE GALLOCANTA’S CRANES FOR FREE THIS AUTUMN
Coinciding with the start of the migration season, the Interpretation Center of the Gallocanta Lagoon Directed Nature Reserve is once again launching its popular guided tours under the name 'A Route with the Cranes'.
This initiative, promoted by the Department of the Environment and Tourism of the Government of Aragon, offers visitors the chance to explore the area around the lagoon accompanied by an environmental educator. The activity includes several explanatory and observation stops to discover the distinctive features 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 the 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 RESERVATIONS FOR THE GUIDED TOURS
The routes 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 Lagoon Interpretation Center, located on the road connecting the towns of Bello and Tornos.
Although participation is free, visitors must make an advance reservation through the Aragon Natural Network website, where they can consult the activity details and register.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT GALLOCANTA TO SEE THE CRANES?
The arrival of the first cranes marks the beginning of a season that will grow in intensity 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 times to watch them is at sunrise, when the birds leave their resting areas and head toward nearby fields in search of food. Sunset offers another of the most characteristic scenes, with numerous flocks returning to the lagoon 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 Lagoon is once again positioning itself 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.
