Travesía a Nado Cubillas

The approach to the Cubillas Reservoir reveals a landscape defined by sharp contrasts. As you drive through the Vega de Granada, the modern infrastructure of Albolote—a name rooted in the Arabic 'Qaryat al-Bollut'—fades, replaced by the arid, rolling hills that characterize this interior region of Andalusia. Upon reaching the water’s edge, the scene opens up to a vast, tranquil basin constructed in 1956, stretching 2,300 meters long and 800 meters wide. The morning air here is often still, carrying the scent of olive groves and the distant, cooling presence of the Sierra Nevada, whose peaks often remain visible on the horizon throughout your swim.

Historical currents and landmarks

Swimming in these waters, you are navigating a space shaped by centuries of regional history. High above the eastern hills, the 13th-century Torreón de Sierra Elvira acts as a silent sentry; this Nasrid watchtower, standing 9.40 meters tall, was once the primary node for defensive signaling across the valley. The reservoir lies in the shadow of these heights, near the site of the Battle of La Higueruela, where the forces of King Juan II of Castile clashed with the Nasrid army on July 1, 1431. While you focus on your stroke, it is worth noting that the surrounding hills have long served as a focal point for communal life, much like the local Candelaria tradition where families traditionally hiked these same slopes every February to share food and company in the open air.

Race day logistics

The 2026 edition, scheduled for June 21, offers both 1500m and 3000m distances. The event is deeply integrated into the local sporting calendar, organized through a collaboration between the Diputación de Granada, the University of Granada, and the Albolote municipality. Given the reservoir's maximum depth of 20 meters and its function as a water reserve, the water remains generally calm, making it an accessible venue for those used to inland swimming. Registration closes strictly on June 19 at 8:00 AM, a deadline mandated by the logistical requirements of coordinating safety protocols across the reservoir's surface. Whether you are aiming to push your pace or simply navigate the route in the shadow of the Sierra Elvira, the course provides a rare opportunity to experience the geography of the Granada province from the water level.