Embalse de Cortes II - La Muela

The Cortes II reservoir, called La Muela, is the lower basin of a large pumped-storage complex on the middle course of the Júcar, in the municipality of Cortes de Pallás. It is closed by a dam built in 1988, which pumps water to the upper La Muela reservoir through an underground power station. The water sits deep in a gorge below the Muela de Cortes. You arrive by car along the N-330 through Requena, about 75 minutes from València.

The river cruise

The most direct way to see it is the Júcar tourist route, the first created in the Valencian Community: a boat takes just over an hour to cover the 14 km of the reservoir between Cofrentes and Cortes de Pallás. From the water you take in the Muela de Cortes mountains, about 400 m above the level of the river, and the winding stretch the Júcar draws after meeting the Cabriel.

Visit notices

The dam surroundings have restricted access and there is no verified signed parking, so do not improvise walks by the structure. The bathing regime is unconfirmed: do not count on swimming in the reservoir. Bring water and a full tank, as this is mountain country with few services, and check the boat timetable before leaving.