Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
Exploring the wild side of the Costa Blanca
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The Embalse de Tous is located in the municipalities of Tous and Millares, about 40 minutes from Valencia.
It is expansive, covering an area of 15.3 square km of land.
It has various purposes, such as drinking water storage, irrigation (via the Júcar–Turia canal), and flood control (it can hold up to 792 million m³).
In winter, water from the Embalse de Tous is used to fill the l’Albufera Natural Park, supporting bird habitats, such as coots and bitterns.
The Presa de Tous (dam) is an impressive 1km long, and was rebuilt in 1996 after a disaster named the “Pantanada de Tous” (1982).
An engineering failure of the previous dam prevented the water from being released, causing the Embalse de Tous reservoir to fill, and the Presa de Tous dam to collapse.
The access road to the Embalse de Tous is long, winding, and gradually descends deep into the valley.
There is only one place where you are able to pull over in the car, and that is quite high up. So, if you want to take some photos, do it from here!
On entering, and while exploring the Embalse de Tous area, look out for ibex and other mountain goats, since they are not shy here!
A couple crossed the road while I was driving into the area, and a group of them came to the shore while I was swimming quite close to the carpark.
If you want to paddleboard or kayak on Embalse de Tous, you will need to take your own equipment, as you cannot hire them here. You might also needa a licence from the Confederacion Hidrografica del Jucar.
This paddleboarding route on the Embalse de Tous is divided into three distinctive parts, each with its own vibe:
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You can choose whether to follow my route, or you could do one or both of the shorter alternative route options encompassing the best bits.
Carpark
The only carpark near the Embalse de Tous reservoir is here.
However, the spaces are quite limited at the weekends unless you have an off-road vehicle that is able to drive down the land, closer to the water.
TOP TIP: There is one parking space in the shade of a tree for a small car if you drive right in!
(Google Maps™ mapping service is a trademark of Google LLC and this blog is not
endorsed by or affiliated with Google in any way)
Boat ramp
After the carpark is an asphalt road, which is just a slope leading into the water, intended for boats access to the Embalse de Tous reservoir.
There are a couple of road-side spaces on this road, but the space closest to the water should probably be kept clear for turning.
There is a bigger road-side area on the left, just before the slope, which is perfect as a private space for a campervan, if you get there first!
Warning! This road is quite narrow. So, if you drive a large vehicle to the end, and all of the road-side spaces are already occupied, then you might find it difficult to turn around!
There are no beaches that allow you to easily walk in, as it is mostly rocks all around the edge of the Embalse de Tous.
However, where the river meets the reservoir, the rocks are conveniently shaped a lot like steps.
The obvious way to the water from the carpark is to turn left, and walk down the grassy slope.
On my route, however, I entered the water to the right, and the slab of rock was conveniently sloped. However, the walk down is a bit more difficult.
I entered the water and followed the edges of the Embalse de Tous reservoir in an anticlockwise direction.
You can follow my route here.
Or, if you prefer a shorter route, see my alternative route options here.
If you love visiting reservoirs, check out these locations…
Check out this video of me paddleboarding on the serene Embalse de Tous and feel inspired.
Within the first 4km, there are three areas that can be explored by exiting the water and accessing interesting features on foot:
This is a waterfall that originates in the Barranco del Castellet, creating some small natural pools with crystal clear water where you can take a dip.
You will need to lift your paddleboard/kayak up onto a rock, and scramble up a few rocks to access it.
This Fuente el Chorro area is beautiful and definitely worth the detour.
Make sure you walk all the way to the end!
There is also a hiking route that you can take to visit the “Fuente el Chorro”.
If you love swimming in waterfalls and natural pools, take a look at these hidden gems…
There is a black cave which you can see in the mountainside, from the Embalse de Tous water.
You will see the location of this on my paddleboarding route.
If you don’t mind a steep incline, the view from the cave is outstanding!
But take care when stepping onto the shore, because it is muddy (and the mud smalls bad!)
Try to step on rocks to exit the Embalse de Tous instead.
If you like cave hunting, check out the Barranco de la Encantada.
On the map, the castle appears to be on an island, but the land is actually attached.
On my route I exited the water just after the castle and scrambled directly up the hill.
However, I recommended that you exit the Embalse de Tous sooner, at the obvious slope.
I also suggest that you follow my return path from the Castillo de Tous in order to ascend and descend, to avoid getting scratched and lots of tiny thorns stuck in your skin!
If you are confident climbing up into the Castillo de Tous, you can experience some cool views of the Embalse de Tous through the windows, and from the roof.
I visited the second ruin, further along the hill from the Castillo de Tous, too.
However, you don’t actually see any of the structure, only a view from on top.
Warning! This is a wilder path with, and there are two holes in the ground (an old tunnel, perhaps). So, take care not to fall in, especially near the old sign.
After visiting the Castillo de Tous, and a little bit of paddling around the other side, the return route (between 6km – 9.8km) was just hard-core paddling!
However, if you prefer a more leisurely route, visiting just the best bits, see my aternative route options here.
It was hard work because it involved crossing big sections of open water.
Away from the edge, it is more exposed to the wind with nowhere to rest.
Interesting features include:
Read more about the freshwater turtles than you can find in the Valencia region here, as well as tips on how to find them…
Warning! The 0.8km stretch in front of the Presa de Tous dam was particularly tough, and NOT for inexperienced paddlers.
Paddling along the final section of the Embalse to Tous´ northeastern edge, back towards the starting point, was a welcome treat.
There are several coves, with shallower moss-covered areas, where fish and turtles feed.
The land surrounding this part of the Embalse to Tous is largely flat and sandy or grassy, so it is a perfect place to relax and see how far you’ve come.
To visit the most beautiful parts, and avoid paddling across open water, I recommend these two routes:
Route 1: The Explorers route
Route 2: Relaxing and Turtle-spotting
You could do both of these routes in one day, perhaps with a lunch break in between.
Or you could do just one route and incorporate a hike…
This area can also be visited on foot, as well as paddling there on the Embase de Tous.
There is a footpath that starts at the boat ramp, which follows the coastline, leading you directly to the Fuente el Chorro.
This short section of path is part of a longer (almost 20km) hiking route: the “Sendero Pollet – Terrabona” (PR-CV 263).
However, the Fuente el Chorro is not well signposted, and doesn’t exist on the official website.
2. Secret waterfall and natural pool
Quite close to the Embase de Tous parking area is a hidden oasis, with fresh, cold, crystal-clear water.
There is a small deeper pool right under the waterfall, where you can sit and take a shower.
Below there is a bigger, shallower pool that you can sit in, or dip your feet into.
You can easily find it by following the river away from the Embase de Tous reservoir, or you can follow my route here.
A coffee makes my day brighter!
The long and winding road that leads down to the Embalse de Tous was upgraded in 2024, and has consequently become very popular for cyclists that enjoy hills and incredible views!
I spent the night there, and saw lots of cyclists take up this challenge on Monday morning, probably because there are very few visitors during weekday mornings.
if you love cycling in nature, take a look at the *
The “Via Ferrata El Chorrico” is a mountain adventure route, situated in the Barranco del Castellete, which is just above the Fuente el Chorro.
Iti is an easy K1-K2 route with 45-60 metres of elevation and outstanding views.
To descend, there are two options:
Other places that you can visit by car from this side of the reservoir are:
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I haven´t visited these caves myself because I only discovered them afterwards! Happy exploring!
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