Kayaking on the Arenoso Reservoir

The Arenoso reservoir is the main water reserve of the province of Castellón: about 7 km long between mountains and forest, with turquoise-blue water you can see from the road. Somos Aventura tours it by guided kayak on two-hour outings, with no previous experience needed, and it is one of the water activities in the area that take younger children: from age 5, who paddle with an instructor.

The activity

You paddle in stable, self-bailing kayaks, with guides who teach the basic technique and go with the group. The company includes games and group activities, and on clear days it is easy to see vultures soaring over the mountains around the reservoir. For the same price a trail along old paths to a centuries-old cork oak can be added.

There are two departures a day, at 10:00 and 16:00, and it costs €35 per person. The listing states a minimum group of more than five people, so if there are only a few of you it is worth asking beforehand whether there is a departure that day. You need to be able to swim or, at least, not be afraid of water. Book online at somosaventura.com or by WhatsApp; the website doesn't publish the seasonal calendar or the exact meeting point, which is confirmed when you book.

What's included and what to bring

Included are an approved helmet and life jacket, paddle, kayak and the guides. The photos and videos they take during the activity can be downloaded free, although they aren't guaranteed. Separately, and requested 24 hours ahead, neoprene booties (€5) and a two-piece 5 mm wetsuit (€8) can be hired, useful out of summer. Bring shoes that can get wet, swimsuit, a T-shirt for the water, sun protection and, if you have one, a rash vest.

A reservoir with a history

The dam was built between 1970 and 1977 to regulate the Mijares and irrigate the Plana de Castellón, with water coming down from the Sierra de Gúdar. To build it, the village of Campos de Arenoso, which had been a hamlet of Puebla de Arenoso until 1841, was expropriated and evacuated; its last residents left on 15 July 1977 and the village was demolished. The reservoir has a capacity of 135 hm³, although it is only allowed to fill to 90, and reaches 70 m deep. The dam is of loose materials: clay, gravel and stone.

How to combine it

The reservoir lies upstream of Montanejos, towards Puebla de Arenoso along the CV-20. Around it there are viewpoints and walking and cycling routes; the Monte La Copa trail, which leaves from the town, has views over the reservoir. After the kayak, the Fuente de los Baños is the natural plan to warm up. With children from age 8, the same company organises rafting on the Mijares.