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Packraft at "Congost de Camarasa". Segre River

An aquatic adventure between rocky walls and calm waters to discover a wild corner of the Segre river and the Montsec mountain range.

By Packrafting.cat

May 25^th, 2025

Segre River

The river Segre, with its calm waters and changing landscapes, is one of the great unknown rivers for many nature lovers. It rises in the Pyrenees, flows through valleys, gorges and plains, and along its course gives us places of great beauty and ecological value. But... What if we discovered it from the inside? What if instead of walking along its shores, we let ourselves be carried along by its current in a small inflatable boat?

This is what a series of fans of packraft, an activity that combines hiking with sailing in calm or rough waters, have been doing for the last few years. Lightweight, easy to carry and suitable for everyone, packraft is the gateway to a different way of experiencing rivers. And the Segre is the ideal setting to begin this adventure.

The river Segre is one of the main tributaries of the Ebre, with a length of more than 260 km. It rises in the French Pyrenees, at the Coll de la Perxa, and crosses Catalonia from north to south until it joins the Ebre near Mequinensa. The middle section, between Ponts and Camarasa, runs through the lands of La Noguera and offers an increasingly more enclosed landscape, with spectacular stretches such as the Congost de Camarasa or the Congost del Mu. In this sector, the Segre receives water from the Noguera Pallaresa, in an aiguabarreig of high ecological and landscape value. The Rialb dam, near Ponts, and the Camarasa dam, further downstream, regulate the river's flow, in many cases allowing for comfortable navigation in packraft for a good part of the year. It is a stretch where the Segre is wild but accessible, ideal for activities such as canoeing, hiking or bird watching.

In this blog we explain a simple and spectacular route that crosses some of the wildest stretches of the Segre, from the Alòs dam to the Pont del Pastor, passing through such magical places as the Cova de l'Arena or theaiguabarreig with the Noguera Pallaresa. A perfect experience to do with family or friends, where water, rock and silence become the protagonists.

In this blog you will find more articles dedicated to the river Segre and the area of Montsec and the river Noguera Pallaresa that we explain below:

Packraft at "Congost de Camarasa". Segre River

Congost del Mu

Going by packraft along the Mu Gorge is an experience that is close to you. From the river itself, everything looks different: the rock faces are imposing on either side, so close that you can almost touch them with your oar. You feel small, but in a way that doesn't make you uncomfortable, but rather thrills you. The water flows calmly, and you only feel the gentle sound of the current and your own rowing. The light enters between the rocks as if it were playing at hiding, and makes the water glow with golden hues. Nature seems to be alive: the trees grow on the walls, the birds fly by, and everything makes you realise that you are in a special place, one of those that are hard to leave behind. It is a simple but very intense adventure that makes you feel connected with the landscape and with yourself.

In any case, if you want more information about the Congost del Mu, please consult us:

CAMP ESLÀLOM AIGÜES BRAVES de PONTS. MIG SEGRE SAILING CLUB

The Camp d'Eslàlom d'Aigües Braves de Ponts, located at the Club Nàutic Mig Segre, is a unique and referent space for the practice of canoeing in wild waters in Catalonia. With a channel designed to offer different levels of difficulty, it is ideal both for beginners and experienced paddlers looking to train in a technical and safe environment. The natural environment, the quality of the water of the river Segre and the club's facilities create an immaculate atmosphere for sports practice, training and events. It is much more than a training camp: it is a meeting point for the caiac and Packraft community, where passion, nature and sport are combined.

Packraft in the slalom course of Ponts. Segre river.

RIU SEGRE. ADRALL A ORGANYA

Packraft río Segre de Adrall a Organya. Congost de tres Ponts

Start point. At the foot of the dam of the Mu congost.

Next to the bridge (which is always blocked) of the hydroelectric power station, there is a path that goes down to the river. There are ropes to help us get to the river. From this point it is possible to observe the power of the water that flows through the dam.

If you are coming from the Congost del Mu, there is a disembarkation point a few metres before the bridge, on the right bank of the river Segre. Here you can load up your packraft, cross the bridge going down towards the left bank and go over the dam of the Alòs reservoir using a metal walkway.

Mapa de l'embarcament, amb la confluència dels rius Sergre i Noguera Pallaresa i les corresponents centrals hidroelèctriques.

End point. Parking at Pont del Pastor

On the left hand side, once you see the Pont del Pastor where the C-13 road crosses the river Segre, you can use a small beach to go to the so-called Pàrquing del Congost del Mu. This car park is usually full at weekends and holidays, if so, use the secondary car park.

Vistes del riu Segre al Congost de Camarasa des del pont del Pastor. Final de la ruta.

An alternative option for disembarking is to use the Camarasa Beach, now known as the Maria Rúbies Protected Natural Area.

La platja de Camarasa a primer hora del matí i un dia entre setmana: normalment en dies de bon temps i festius esta plena de gent banyant-se.

Packraft al Congost de Camarasa prop del congost del Mu. Aiguabarreig Segre i Noguera Pallaresa.

An aquatic adventure between congost and rapids

If you are a packraft enthusiast and are looking for a short but intense experience in a spectacular natural environment, the packraft route to the Congost de Camarasa, near the Congost del Mu, is an ideal option. This 2.08 km river crossing allows you to explore a stretch of the Segre river with calm, fast-accessible waters, surrounded by rocky outcrops and beautiful landscapes.

The route starts at the Alòs dam and ends at Camarasa, passing through various points of interest:

Cova de l'Arena: A natural area of great geological interest.
Alòs Dam: Starting point of the route.
Aiguabarreig Segre and Noguera Pallaresa rivers: Confluence of the two main rivers in the area.

Rapids:

Pass first: First fast of the route. The most complicated of the route
Hydrospeed: Second fastest, with a little less difficulty.
Passing the Chicken line (264 m): Third fastest.

Recommendations

Equipment: It is essential to carry all the necessary safety equipment for the practice of the packraft, including lifejacket, helmet and neoprene suit.
River conditions: Before starting the route, check the state of the river and the weather conditions to ensure safe navigation.
Access and parking: The main car park is located at Congost del Mu, but there is also a secondary parking area available. It is advisable to arrive early to ensure a parking space.
Experience level: This route is suitable for people with moderate experience in packraft, as it has some rapids that require skill to be navigated safely.

Enjoy this aquatic adventure in one of the most impressive environments in Catalonia!

At the river

This is a very short stretch, but with three interesting speeds. The kilometric points to be highlighted are:

Km 0: Embarkation under the dam of the Alòs reservoir. There is a path that goes down to the river next to the bridge, which is closed to traffic and belongs to the company that exploits the area hydrologically.
Km 0.1: You will cross, this time under, the bridge indicated at the previous point.
Km 0.2: You arrive at the confluence of the rivers Segre and Noguera Pallaresa. Despite the dams that hold back the course of the two rivers, one can imagine how impressive this point must have been before the massive constructions, a special point where two important rivers of Catalonia flow together and where, moreover, they run the last kilometres before flowing through the impressive walls of the gorges formed by crossing the Montsec mountain range.
Km 0.8 "Pasa tu primero" rapid: At 800 metres we will find the first rapid, the most complicated of this section of the river Segre. With a low water level it corresponds to a class II, but with a high water level its level rises to a class III with impressive waves. Do not be fooled by the beginning of the rapid, it is later when some large rocks in the centre make us choose between the right line (the only possible one with low water level), with a very steep entrance and a good wave that can form a considerable gap.
Km 0.9: Interesting part of the fast "Pass first".
Km 1. hydrospeed rapid: the second interesting rapid follows hard on the heels of the previous one.
Km 1.3 Jump before the third rapid: if you want to play, there is a big rock on the left side that allows you to jump and make an entertaining jump.
Km 1.5 Rapid "Passing the Chicken line": the last rapid situated in a cork has a good deflector followed by a train of waves with which we finish this short but entertaining route.
Km 2: Arrival at the shepherd's bridge and exit from the river along a steep path that you will find on the right hand side and that leads directly to the parking of the route of the route of the congost del Mu.

CHARACTERISTICS

Distance: 2,08 km
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars
Duration: 30 minutes.
Positive breakthrough: 0 m
Negative gap: 15 m
Technical difficulty: Moderate, class II, the first rapid of class III with high volumes of water.
Type: Congested with fast/fast type rapids. Vòlum.
Season: water is available all year round and depends on the release of water from the Camarasa power station. To do this with a high volume of water, it is necessary to go in spring.
Playboat: No
Aillament: Lower. The path is always close to the left-hand side.
Quality of the water: good.
Dangers: Nothing.

A few metres into the route you will notice the eddies that form when the water of the Noguera Pallaresa and the Segre meet. In the case of the Segre, the Alòs dam is an overflow dam, i.e. it will provide more or less water depending on the level of the river Segre. Therefore, variations in the head in this area are determined by the water level of the Segre, but especially by the amount of water released by the Camarasa dam. There are no direct indicators on the CHE website and the only way to know the status of the headwaters in the area in advance is to speculate on the water level in the river Segre and the water levels in the Camarasa reservoir.

First Rapid. "Pasa tu primero"

At 800 metres we find the first rapid, the most complicated of this section of the river Segre. With a low water level it corresponds to a class II, but with a high water level its level rises to a class III with impressive waves. Don't be fooled by the beginning of the rapid, it is later when some large rocks in the centre make us choose between the right line (the only possible one with low water level), with a very steep entrance and a good wave that can form a considerable fortification.

Chronicle of a swim

Last Sunday, not having enough being practicing all day at camp eslàlom de Ponts, at 6pm (usually reserved an hour reserved to take bad decisions and deep regrets 😂), three human beings, presumably in full use of our mental faculties, decided to jump into the gleaming waters of the river Segre, no less than at the point where the Noguera Pallaresa flows into the river Segre. With our packs (one of them the now famous CATRAFT), and with a sports camera, as if we were a cross between Jacques Cousteau and some third division influencers, we decided to try to survive the three rapids of the Congost de Camarasa. The result? A video worthy of National Geographic... if this one was produced by Netflix in the category of self-inflicted adventure tragicomedy.

The images, recorded in glorious 8K quality with an insta 360 (allowing every wrinkle of patience to be seen in full detail), show the intrepid packrafters navigating against "swift currents" that they dramatise as if they were crossing the Zimbawe River during the apocalypse. The photos, captured by a friend with the vocation of a paparazzi (or perhaps a forensic scientist), reveal a clear sequence: enthusiasm, surprise, patience and, finally, resignation. The climax comes when, in a heroic attempt, the last packrafter decides to "make a good line", but his packrafter decides to emancipate himself and leave him alone in the middle of the river, floating like an abandoned "beach hut".

There is a moment in the video where you can also see the tough battle between the sailors to be the first to die on the first wave. As happens in these cases, the swimmer blames his lack of skill on the "mama duck" who was guiding them along the "right" path.

The protagonist assures that he would do it again, "to connect with nature" - although sources say that he spent the afternoon hugging a cooker with a lost look in his eyes and a trembling neck. The video is already circulating in WhatsApp groups with the unofficial title "L'home que va confondre el Segre amb el Zimbawe" ("The man who confused the Segre with Zimbabwe"). And so, between laughs, tremors and a few beers, it ends a feat that will be recorded -literally- in the digital memory of packrafting.cat.

NOTE: I was bored and I wanted to add a touch of satire and black humour to the adventure. Actually everything went quite well, even with the two swims. And I'd like to take this opportunity to say that we don't have any images with the 360 because the swimmer was so concentrated (concentration that was of little use 😜) that he forgot to press the record button.

Rápido 2. “El hidrospeed”

So called because if you get a little bit too tired after swimming the first rapid, you will have to overcome it using the packraft as if it were a hydrospeed.