We are blessed in this region with a good number of rivers flowing from the Sierras behind the coast into the sea and although many are now dry in summer due to the drier climate we are experiencing recently they still provide a wonderful resource for humans and animals alike.
Many are now dammed and diverted to other rivers to provide us with water supplies, some river courses have disappeared under the pressure of building but many are still in an almost virgin state.
Spring and autumn are the ideal times for discovering the some times breathtaking beauty of our rivers-when there is definitely going to be a decent flow and the sun can allow you relax on the river banks
Starting off from Malaga and moving west to Algeciras the most important rivers are the Guadalhorce, the Rio Ojen, the Rio Verde in Marbella, Rio Cancelada, Velerin, Rio Manilva, the Guadiaro, Quadarranque Rio and finally the Rio de la Miel in Algeciras Palmones.
Many smaller tributaries and seasonal rivers are interspersed between them and during the summer wonderful lakes and pools for swimming and for observing wildlife can be found.
One of the biggest rivers in the area is the Guadalhorce just south of Malaga. Here you can walk along the river estuary with direct access to the beach whilst feasting your eyes on over 200 different species of birds that at various times of the year live or rest for a while here.
Expect to see ducks, moorhens, herons, widgeon and egrets to name but a few. The Fuente de Piedras lagoon offers another outing for bird fanciers.
The circuit around the lake is a mere 14 kilometres but with the chance to see up to 8000 pink flamingos the miles will just fly by.
Near Nerja to the East of Malaga the Rio Chillar offers a beautiful walk along its narrow valley.
This has a bit of a damp microclimate so vegetation like ferns are in abundance and the walk is best done in June, July and August.
The walk can take between 2-5 hours depending on your speed and level of relaxation! Coming further inland to Ronda there is a beautiful walk to Benaoján taking in part of Ronda’s famous Tajo Gorge to begin with.
This walk can be done both ways or you can catch the train back to your starting point having had some refreshments. In the Benaoján area starting at Monte- Jaque is another beautiful walk along the beginnings of the River Guadiaro.
The walk takes you through the beautiful Grazalema Natural Park and ends at Jimera de Libar-also on the railway line- so you can get back to your starting point (check train times first as there is not more than 4 services in each direction).
In fact the Guadiaro and its main tributaries, the Hozgarganta and the Genal, offer fantastic walks all along their banks. The Hozgarganta is considered the cleanest most natural river in Andalucia and runs through the natural park of Alcornocales before entering the Guadiaro near Sotogrande.
The Loma del Canuelo circuit along the river, signposted from Jimena, takes you past exquisite clean pools up to an old water mill.
This is easily managed by children .but you might find that they don’t want to go home with all the rocks and little waterfalls to play in and the fish (golden Carp!) and turtles to watch! The Genal is great for walking just head down the valley from Gaucin and take your pick of spots to start from. This area is rich in Roman remains and the local tourist information point can provide details.
One final very sweet river walk-also ending up at a fascinating old water mill, is the route along the Rio Miel from El Cobre in the mountains behind Algeciras.
The vegetation here is very special with ferns and other species such as rhododendrons. This fairly short walk can be combined with a walk along the estuary of the Rio Palmones, a wetland reserve.
This starts in Rinconcillo in Algeciras and ends on the sand dunes. Here you can see the full horror of the refinery and wonder how
