Canales Reservoir

On the Water: Swimming, Canoeing and Fishing

The Guadalquivir River Basin Authority authorises swimming, canoeing and fishing across the reservoir's surface. Local outfitter Sierra Nevada Activa organises guided canoe trips on the calm, deep-blue water, giving paddlers an unusual perspective of the surrounding peaks reflected in the lake. Freshwater fishing is popular along the shore, and on summer weekends the gentle bays near the dam wall see families wading and paddling.↗↗

Hiking and Mountain Biking Paths

A ring of trails radiates from the reservoir in every direction. One standout is the old irrigation canal route with its hand-carved tunnels — including the atmospheric Túnel del Diablo — where walkers pass through cool rock passages and emerge onto exposed canal walls with sweeping views over the small Genil River dam below. The path is classified easy in distance but moderate in exposure, so a headlamp and sure footing are recommended.↗

For a longer outing, the circular 12-kilometre walk from Güéjar Sierra follows the Acequia de la Solana, crosses the Río Maitena, and then meets the abandoned track bed of the old Sierra Nevada electric tramway, which runs right down to the tail of the reservoir. The route takes around four hours with gentle elevation and rewards hikers with the quiet sight of rusty tram infrastructure reclaimed by wildflowers.↗

Cyclists and ambitious hikers can climb to Cerro del Chaparral, the headland above the reservoir crowned with telecommunications antennas. The summit delivers a panorama that stretches across the entire reservoir basin, down the Genil valley to the Granada metropolitan area, and up to the high peaks of Sierra Nevada on the other side.

Getting There

The reservoir is remarkably accessible from Granada. Public bus line 390 (Granada–Pinos Genil–Güéjar Sierra) departs from the Paseo de los Basilios and stops directly at the embalse, making it a car-free excursion. Driving takes about twenty minutes: follow the Carretera de la Sierra through Cenes de la Vega, then branch towards Güéjar Sierra; the dam wall and a panoramic viewpoint appear on the right before you even reach the village.↗

Nearby Heritage: Castillejo de Güéjar

Hikers tackling the hill trails above the reservoir will pass the ruins of the Castillejo de Güéjar, a hilltop fortification perched at more than 1,250 metres. First built during the Islamic period in the 12th century, it controlled the mountain pass towards Granada and later sheltered over 2,300 Moorish rebels during the uprisings around 1500 before Ferdinand and Isabella's forces retook it. The crumbling walls offer yet another angle on the lake below.

When to Visit and What to Expect

The water can be cold even in summer given the Sierra Nevada melt feed, so test before swimming. Spring and early autumn bring the best hiking conditions; summer afternoons are ideal for canoeing or a lakeside picnic, and drought seasons offer the rare chance to glimpse the old village's stones above the waterline. Facilities around the reservoir are basic — bring your own water and snacks for longer trail walks.↗