The year 2003 saw the start of a pioneering initiative in the world of trekking; 6 trekking centres joined forces to create a trekking course based around a single common theme; the Canal d'Urgell. The excuse for this venture was the celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Canal d'Urgell.

The project was finalised in June 2004 and proved such a success that it was decided to extend the experience. Those involved with the project asked themselves what they all had in common. Everyone involved was from Lleida and so the answer was very clear: the common denominator was the River Segre.

This course will be jointly organised by 8 different outdoor pursuit centres: the Centre excursionista GREC from Cerdanya (La Cerdanya - Spain), the Unió Excursionista Urgellenca from la Seu d'Urgell (Alt Urgell - Spain), the Grup Excursionista from Oliana (Alt Urgell - Spain), the Centre Excursionista Ponsicà from (La Noguera - Spain), the CIM from Bellpuig (L'Urgell - Spain), the Centre Excursionista Serralada from Mollerussa (El Pla d'Urgell - Spain), the Centre Excursionista Balaguer (La Noguera - Spain) and the Centre Excursionista de Balàfia (El Segrià - Spain).

There are 11 different itineraries that take walkers through landscapes that range from high mountains to a river confluence. The beauty and importance of this valley that provides Lleida with its life and reason for existence has meant that some equally interesting routes have had to be excluded. There was a simple reason for this: there would just not be enough time to do and see everything of interest.

The routes, which take walkers across an extensive part of the area, generally take a whole day to complete. Their relatively low levels of difficulty mean that they are accessible to almost everyone. Even so, it is important to remember that when walking in the mountains, it is always a good idea to be fully insured in case of accidents.

The different walks are not meant to require any great physical effort, but the routes should allow trekkers to discover and enjoy the countryside, and the local area and people.

The main aim of this course is to help trekkers enjoy the area's natural, cultural and human heritage and to awaken their ecological spirit; helping them to love and respect the river that has given meaning to this area.

11 water routes, 11 paths through life.