Europe, Travel

Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain

After a four-course lunch and copious amounts of wine in the village of Benifallet in Spain’s Terres de l’Ebre region, we abandoned our bikes for the next leg of the (somewhat) adventure laden journey – kayaking the Ebro River.

I know. It probably wasn’t the best idea given that we lost track of our wine intake at lunch with the carafes that kept arriving at our table and into our glasses. I promise that we tried to tell our hosts no. But when in Spain… At least we didn’t have to worry about balancing the bikes anymore!

 

Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain – Explore the villages of Terres de l’Ebre, Spain via a kayak on the Ebro River. A bucket list adventure!

 

>>> Book a hotel in Miravet, Spain to start your kayaking journey<<<

 

Kayaking the Ebro River

Bemiemocions, our kayak tour company, picked us up at the Benifallet Station on the Greenway and transported us to their drop off point along the Ebro River. The short ride gave us a few minutes to take a well-earned nap after a morning of biking the converted railway trial and perhaps an over-indulgence at lunch.

Some of us (myself included) may have also needed the time to psyche ourselves up for kayaking. My idea of spending the day on the water involves a boat with an engine, a sandbar, and a cooler of beer. Exerting energy to paddle, and perhaps braving a rapid or two, didn’t excite me. In fact, I normally try to come up with any excuse I can to not visit my in-laws weekend house, as the threat of kayaking is always present.

 

Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain – Explore the villages of Terres de l’Ebre, Spain via a kayak on the Ebro River. A bucket list adventure!

 

>>> Book a hotel in Tortosa, Spain to explore the village on your kayaking journey<<<

 

Alas, there I was on the Ebro River with a paddle in hand.

One of the other bloggers on our tour was as nonplussed about kayaking as I was, so we decided to share a tandem together while the others opted for singles.

I wouldn’t say that the kayaking was as easy as the downhill biking experience earlier in the day, but it wasn’t the braving the rapids, hair-raising adventure that I was expecting. There was some moderate paddling as we meandered down the river. Enough to wake me up from any lingering wine coma and work up a good sweat.

 

Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain – Explore the villages of Terres de l’Ebre, Spain via a kayak on the Ebro River. A bucket list adventure!

 

It was quite a pleasant afternoon as we paddled past the villages of Tivenys, Xerta, Aldover, and Jesús. However, most of the scenery was the rolling hillside and wild riverbanks. I found the experience rather peaceful. So much so that I was disappointed when Tortosa, where our journey ended, came into view.

As we paddled the kayak onshore I thought that I might try kayaking back home. Or perhaps that was the wine we shared from wineskins with the team from Bemiemocions talking as they collected our kayaks.

 

Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain – Explore the villages of Terres de l’Ebre, Spain via a kayak on the Ebro River. A bucket list adventure!

 

>>> Book a hotel in Deltebre, Spain to complete your kayaking journey<<<

 

My recommendation for kayaking the Ebro River

Much like you can explore the various villages of Terres de l’Ebre by spending a few days biking the Greenway and staying in guesthouses along the way, the region can also be explored via kayak. Recommend starting further upriver than we did entering the river at Flix; spending the night in Miravet, Tortosa, and Deltebre; and finishing the trip at Sea of l’Ampolla

The journey will include much more than I experienced with medieval castles and rice paddies along the way. You’ll also get a close glimpse at village life by staying in village guesthouses I’ve linked to throughout this post.

 

Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain – Explore the villages of Terres de l’Ebre, Spain via a kayak on the Ebro River. A bucket list adventure!

 

>>> Headed to Europe? Check out my packing guide!<<<

 

What do you think? Is this a journey you’d like to go on?

Disclosure – Muchas gracias to Terres de l’Ebre for hosting me. Sometimes tourist boards invite me on trips, and sometimes, I go on my own accord anonymously. Regardless, readers receive my honest feedback as my opinions are not for sale.

Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain – Explore the villages of Terres de l’Ebre, Spain via a kayak on the Ebro River. A bucket list adventure!
Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain – Explore the villages of Terres de l’Ebre, Spain via a kayak on the Ebro River. A bucket list adventure!
Kayaking the Ebro River in Spain – Explore the villages of Terres de l’Ebre, Spain via a kayak on the Ebro River. A bucket list adventure!