Babacashee
The gravel track in
The reservoir is near Campo Maior, close to Badajoz in Spain. It has many spots to visit. On this trip we followed the official walking route, which runs along a gravel track by the water. Getting there is part of the adventure. The track is rough, dusty and bumpy. You don't need a serious off-roader, but good ground clearance helps. This is not a polished route. It is peaceful and wild, and a bit rough around the edges.
Sharing the shore with cows and horses
The cows and horses set the pace here. They are everywhere, and they come very close. Whether you are driving or walking, go slowly, give them plenty of space and let them decide when the way is clear. We have trained a lot with Aba so he stays calm around other animals. That's why we're happy to let him off the lead where it's allowed. The area is huge, so you can usually find a spot away from the herds.
Swims, chairs and a muddy dog
On this trip we mostly drove, stopping now and then to put out the camping chairs and watch the animals on the water. Aba can get into the water at almost every turn. We swam too, and even in the summer heat the water felt cool. There are stones and branches under the surface, so bring water shoes. There is natural shade in some spots, plenty of room to explore and lots of smells.
With this many animals around, there are naturally droppings. The good news is that it didn't smell, even in the heat, and flies weren't a problem while we were there. Aba thought some of it made great perfume and came out looking like a piglet. Plan on giving your dog a shower afterwards, or at least washing the paws.
A quieter corner for paddling
We came back to a different corner of the reservoir to get away from the high-season crowds. It felt like we had the whole lake to ourselves. The water is usually calm. We swam and paddled, and Aba ran, swam and raced the board without bothering other people or dogs. If your dog is shy or reactive, a quiet spot like this could suit you well.
The cows and horses can turn up here too, so your dog still needs to be calm around them. On the water, we keep our paddle sessions close to the shore. If we go further out, Aba wears a life jacket. Bird lovers should bring their big lenses, because the whole reservoir is good for birdwatching.
Good to know
- Come in a car with decent ground clearance. The track in is rough, dusty and bumpy.
- Make sure your dog is reliably calm around cows and horses.
- Bring water shoes. There are stones and branches under the surface.
- Plan on washing your dog afterwards, or at least the paws.
Barragem do Caia with a dog: questions
Can dogs swim at Barragem do Caia?
Yes. On the gravel track along Barragem do Caia, Aba could get into the water at nearly every turn. At the other corner of the reservoir we visited, the water is usually calm and was good for swimming and stand-up paddling with him. Water shoes are a good idea because there are stones and branches under the surface.
Is Barragem do Caia good for a shy or reactive dog?
We think the quiet corner of Barragem do Caia we visited could suit a shy or reactive dog. Even in the busy summer season it felt like we had the whole lake to ourselves. We didn't meet any other dogs on the gravel track along the reservoir.
Are there cows and horses at Barragem do Caia?
Yes. Cows and horses roam freely around Barragem do Caia and they come very close. Your dog needs to be calm and reliable around livestock. We let Aba off leash where it is permitted, because we've done a lot of training with him. The area is huge, so there are also spots where you can avoid the animals.
Do you need an off-road car to reach Albufeira do Caia?
No, but the gravel approach to Albufeira do Caia is rough, dusty and a bit bumpy. You don't need a serious off-roader, but decent ground clearance is a good idea.
Will my dog need a wash after visiting Barragem do Caia?
Probably. With so many animals roaming free, Barragem do Caia has horse and cow droppings. Aba treated some of it like luxury perfume and turned into a piglet, so a shower afterwards is part of the experience. At the very least, plan to wash your dog's paws.