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Rent a kayak in Madrid and rediscover the community reservoirs and surrounding areas is a more than appetizing way to leave the capital city and its hustle and bustle for a few hours to dive into the water sports and clear the mind.
To do kayak tours in Madrid you can proceed in two ways: renting the boat at the reservoir where you are going to do the tour or taking your own kayak or canoe. In the latter case, the navigation requirements of the river basin to which the reservoir belongs must be met. A document must be submitted stating that you agree to abide by the rules and that you meet the requirements.
Marshes in Madrid for kayaking
1. Atazar Reservoir
The Atazar reservoir is the largest in the Community of Madrid. It is located in the Sierra Norte, one hour from the capital. It is also known for its enormous size as ‘the sea of Madrid’. It is part of the Canal de Isabel II and is surrounded by the so-called Mancomunidad del Embalse del Atazar, which includes such distinguished villages as El Berrueco.
Being such a big swamp you have to take into account the wind; it is very complicated to cross it if you have it against you. The best thing to do is to take breaks and take breaks. From the water you can cross under the bridge of the El Villar Canal and see the walls colonized by birds of prey. A real luxury.
📍 76 kilometers from downtown Madrid
2. Picadas Reservoir
📍 60 kilometers from the center of Madrid
3. San Juan Reservoir
Just 50 km from the capital is the San Juan reservoir, a classic of Madrid summers and water sports. It has two main recreational zones: the Zone virgen de la Nueva beach, which has a blue flag and El Muro.
One of the main advantages of kayaking is that you can reach the small coves that are otherwise not so accessible, and are perfect for resting your arms from paddling, taking a swim and eating away from the crowds.
📍 71 kilometers from downtown Madrid
4. Valmayor Reservoir
The Valmayor reservoir is located in a privileged enclave. It is located in the northwest of the Community of Madrid, within the Regional Park of the Middle Course of the Guadarrama, covering the municipalities of: Valdemorillo, Galapagar, Colmenarejo and El Escorial.
An easy kayak route to see the marsh is to go along the marsh near one bank up to the Arroyos dam wall. And the return trip is advisable to do it on the other side, because in this type of reservoirs you have to take into account the wind gusts that can complicate the excursion by taking them against us.
📍 4 0 kilometers from the center of Madrid
5. Kayak route along the Tajo river in Aranjuez
Leaving the marshes aside, we take a walk along the Tagus. Aranjuez has palaces and gardens to visit everywhere, but also one of the most important rivers of the peninsula. The Club Escuela de piragüismo Aranjuez, offers routes with and without instructor with which to enjoy the greenery that the river leaves as it passes through the valley of the Tajo, and see the gardens of the Prince and the Casa del Labrador as if we were in a royal falua, but somewhat less luxurious.
📍 4 9 kilometers from Madrid
Kayak routes 100 km away from Madrid
6. Bolarque Reservoir
The Bolarque reservoir -in Guadalajara- is one of the most desirable inland beaches near Madrid. Although it has an important difference with respect to the rest: it is paid. It costs 10 € any day of the week.
There is a beach bar and there is the possibility of renting kayaks with which to tour the Zone and visit places such as the turtle cave. A rounded weekend plan to 100 kilometers from Madrid.
📍 Guadalajara. 130 kilometers from the center of Madrid.
7. Entrepeñas Reservoir
The Entrepeñas reservoir, together with the Buendía, Bolarque, Zorita, Almoguera and Estremera reservoirs, forms what is called the Sea of Castile. It has three well-known swimming zones since the 1970s, when they became fashionable: Alocén, Durón and Pareja.
This reservoir has been badly affected by water transfers, but it is almost back to its original water levels. It is especially pleasant to go canoeing thanks to the scenery provided by the Alcarria. At the tail of the reservoir, the Tagus arrives forming several meanders, and rapids can be formed, some easier than others to go upstream.
📍 Guadalajara. 116 kilometers from the center of Madrid.
8. Buendía Reservoir
The Buendía reservoir is located between the provinces of Cuenca and Guadalajara. You can take simple kayak routes and, in addition, depending on the water level, you can discover the ruins of the spa and hospital of La Isabela, built at the end of the 19th century. It was flooded by the waters when the dam was built in 1955.
Some islands are also formed in the middle of the reservoir, which are a perfect stop for small boats, very calm and crystal clear waters. To round off the excursion, it is interesting to visit the route of faces which are located on a peninsula in the swamp.
📍 Guadalajara. 150 kilometers from the center of Madrid.
9. Duratón Gorges
The Hoces del Río Duratón are a good alternative to the heat because it is possible to do the tour by canoe. There are different companies that organize these routes -with which it is essential to book in advance- and the price is usually around 30 € for three hours.
There are different routes, but the most common route usually starts in the Segovian town of San Miguel de Bernuy, and from there it goes into the Hoces. In this spectacular landscape of red earth walls undermined for centuries by water, you can see the nests of the griffon vulture.
📍 Sepúlveda. 140 kilometers from the center of Madrid.