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The Shallotte Riverwalk in Shallotte, NC is a short riverside boardwalk and public green space along the Shallotte River, a tidal river that flows through Brunswick County to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. The boardwalk, about a quarter-mile long, opened in 2021 after more than a decade of planning and development by the town and community partners. It consists of a wooden pathway along the riverbank with two gazebos at each end, benches and scenic overlooks, and is accessible from Cheers Street and Wall Street near downtown. The Riverwalk celebrates the town’s connection to its namesake river. In the 1800s the waterway, historically called the Charlotte River, carried small barges and goods between inland farms and the coast, and the town of Shallotte was incorporated in 1899 with the river as a central feature of community life. Over time the shoreline area near Wall Street became overgrown, but recent restoration efforts have reopened it as a public space that supports walking, fishing and nature observation. The setting around the Riverwalk is dominated by tidal marshes, coastal wetlands and low forested banks. Birds are common sights, including herons, egrets, woodpeckers and kingfishers, and the shallower water near the boardwalk often attracts fish such as spot and flounder. Alligators have been reported in the river system in recent years, and on rare occasions even manatees have been spotted farther downstream, though such encounters are uncommon. Interpretive signs along the path provide information about local wildlife and the history of the town and river, helping visitors learn while they walk. The Riverwalk is open daily from dawn to dusk, and fishing from the gazebos is allowed with basic precautions. Future plans for the area include expanded waterfront access for kayaks and canoes, additional picnic facilities and further enhancements to the connection between the Riverwalk and nearby Mulberry Park. As a short, easy walk through marshland and along tidal water, the Shallotte Riverwalk provides a quiet place to enjoy nature, observe wildlife and connect with the local landscape in a setting very different from the region’s nearby beaches.

A varied loop through Myrtle Beach State Park can begin near the inland parking areas with the Pond Trail. This short, flat path circles small freshwater ponds set behind the coastal dunes. The environment here differs noticeably from the beachfront: still water, reeds and wetland vegetation attract turtles, frogs, dragonflies and wading birds such as herons and egrets. Depending on the season, the ponds may be partly covered with aquatic plants, and bird activity is often highest in the early morning. From the Pond Trail, the route connects to the Yaupon Nature Trail, which leads through dense maritime forest. The sandy soil supports live oaks, pines and yaupon holly, the shrub that gives the trail its name. The canopy provides shade, and interpretive signs explain how barrier island forests adapt to salt, wind and periodic storms. Wildlife commonly seen along this section includes songbirds, squirrels and occasionally white-tailed deer. Leaving the forest, the walk continues across the dunes and onto the wide Atlantic beach. Following the shoreline north or south (depending on the starting point), the ocean becomes the dominant feature. Brown pelicans and gulls glide along the surf, and the sound of waves replaces the quieter forest atmosphere. Walking along the firm sand leads to the park’s Fishing Pier, which extends into the Atlantic and serves as a focal point for visitors. From the pier area, there are open views of the coastline and opportunities to observe anglers and seabirds. The return to the parking area follows the Sculptured Oak Nature Trail. This section is known for its wind-shaped live oaks, their trunks and branches bent and twisted by years of coastal exposure. The trail passes through slightly more open woodland, where storm impacts and forest regeneration are visible. Overall, this sequence—ponds, maritime forest, beachfront and sculptured oak woodland—offers a compact overview of the ecological diversity within the park, combining freshwater habitats, coastal forest and Atlantic shoreline in a single, easy walk.

The city walk starts at the Teatro Kursaal, a historic theater in the center of Melilla. From there, you walk towards the old fortified area known as Melilla la Vieja. This historic quarter stands on a hill overlooking the sea and is surrounded by strong stone walls and fortifications. As you enter Melilla la Vieja, you pass narrow streets, small squares, and historic buildings. The area has a quiet atmosphere and offers views of the Mediterranean Sea and the harbor. Along the coastal side, you can also see the Faro de Melilla, the lighthouse building that marks the edge of the old town and guides ships along the coast. After exploring the old town, the route continues down towards the city center. You walk past the Mercado Central, a lively market building where locals buy fresh food and everyday products. The market area is often busy and shows daily life in Melilla. From the Mercado Central, you return through the modern part of the city. The streets are wider here, with shops, cafés, and residential buildings. Finally, the walk leads back to the Teatro Kursaal, where the city round begins and ends.

The walk begins in Ojén and is structured as three short circular sections, all starting and ending within the village. Depending on the time available, one can complete the full route or select only one or two loops. The combination of village streets, viewpoints and nearby river valleys makes it a varied peri-urban hike, particularly attractive after periods of sustained rainfall when the streams carry more water. The first section leads along the main road to the Cuevas Altas, including the Cueva de las Campanas and the Cueva de las Columnas. These karst caves have been partially adapted as viewpoints and were historically used for storage and shelter. From there, a marked path (shared by several local trails) runs for about one kilometre parallel to the Arroyo Almadán through shaded vegetation and small orchards. After heavy rain, small waterfalls may form along this stretch. A wider track then loops back toward Ojén. The second section descends to the Cuevas Bajas and continues through the old town, passing the Fuente de los Chorros and the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación. From the Era Grande, the route follows the old Camino del Almorquín toward the valley of the Río Real. After crossing a side stream and fording the Río Real, a short ascent leads to forest tracks that descend toward the Charco de las Viñas. This pool, formed by the Arroyo del Tejar, is preceded by a small waterfall over peridotite rock and is the highlight of the route, especially when water levels are high. The return crosses the Río Real again and climbs back to the village, completing the loop. A third, optional section explores the lower Arroyo Almadán and includes viewpoints such as the Mirador de la Minería and the seasonal Fuente del Chorrillo. While less varied than the first two loops, it offers additional perspectives of Ojén and its surrounding orchards. Overall, the walk to the Charco de las Viñas combines village architecture, short ascents and river scenery. After several days of rain, the streams, pools and small cascades are at their most active, significantly enhancing the experience.

The hike to the hill between the Embalse del Agujero and the Embalse del Limonero is a shortened version of a longer circular route that follows much of the south-eastern perimeter of the Limonero reservoir. On this occasion, however, we started late in the day after spending time touring the province of Málaga, and with less than an hour of daylight remaining, we opted for a reduced walk. Our aim was simply to reach one of the natural viewpoints and observe the current water levels after the heavy rains of the past weeks. The route is short and straightforward, making it suitable for anyone with limited time or for those looking for a pleasant walk that could easily be combined with lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. Despite the limited distance, the path offers wide views over both reservoirs. From the higher ground between them, it is possible to see the contrasting shapes of the two basins and the surrounding hills. Few routes in the area provide such open views in such a short stretch. The history of the two dams explains their close relationship. The Agujero dam was built in 1908 following the severe floods of 1907. It was designed primarily as a regulating dam to control floodwaters of the Guadalmedina River. Its discharge capacity was calculated to match the evacuation capacity of the river itself. In cases of extreme inflow, the reservoir created by the dam can extend upstream toward the area near the motorway and La Ventilla. However, the original structure did not provide sufficient capacity to fully prevent flooding. Further downstream, the Limonero dam was constructed in 1983 in response to repeated major floods in Málaga and was completed in 1999. Although the Agujero dam already existed, it proved insufficient to stop the river from overflowing during extreme events. The construction of the Limonero dam required land from the nearby botanical garden, as it lies close to the site. This newer dam was designed not only to control flooding but also to supply water to the city. It measures approximately 400 metres in length, with foundations reaching 95 metres in height (76 metres above the riverbed). The reservoir covers about 105 hectares and has a storage capacity of 25 cubic hectometres. An interesting detail is that the name “Limonero” is said to result from a historical spelling mistake; it was originally intended to be “Limosnero,” referring to lands that once belonged to the diocesan almoner. Due to the advanced hour, we did not continue along the full perimeter route. Our objective was simply to reach the ridge and observe how much the water levels had risen after weeks of intense rainfall. The reservoirs were visibly fuller than usual, reflecting the recent period of heavy precipitation that has affected much of the region.

The Fuente de los 100 Caños is located at the foot of the Sierra de San Jorge near Villanueva del Rosario in the province of Málaga. It is a large karst spring where groundwater emerges through a long stone wall fitted with numerous spouts. Despite its name (“Fountain of the 100 Spouts”), the structure has slightly more than one hundred outlets. The present stone façade dates mainly from the 19th century, when the spring was formalized to regulate the flow and improve access to the water. Historically, it supplied drinking water for local residents and livestock and was important for agriculture in the surrounding area. Hydrologically, this spring is the source of the Río Guadalhorce, one of the main rivers in the province of Málaga. The water comes from an underground aquifer within the limestone mountains above. Rainwater infiltrates the porous rock, accumulates below ground, and eventually resurfaces at this point. From here, the newly formed river begins its course through inland Málaga before continuing toward the Mediterranean. At present, the most notable feature is the exceptional volume of water. In recent months, rainfall in Andalusia has been so intense that many rivers have overflowed their banks and the soil has reached saturation, unable to absorb further water. Under these conditions, large quantities of water collect in the aquifer and are discharged at the spring. Currently, water is flowing in substantial amounts from nearly all of the spouts, forming a strong and continuous outflow. Such levels are relatively rare and reflect the unusually wet period the region has experienced.

We parked in the Urbanización La Molineta in Frigiliana. From there, it takes about 20 minutes on foot to reach the iconic Plaza del Ingenio. The square lies next to the historic Ingenio de Frigiliana, one of the most recognizable buildings in the village. From the plaza, we descended toward the Río Higuerón along the side of La Casa de los Tajos. The path here is narrow and partly carved into the rock, almost invisible in places but well defined once you are on it. It contours along the slope beneath the cliffs, offering views back toward the white houses of Frigiliana perched above the valley. Passing first the Cueva del Ermitaño and then the Cascada de Lízar — which is often dry because it depends on overflow from the upper Lízar reservoir — we continued down to the large pool known as El Pozo Batán. This marks the turning point of the route. From here, we began our descent along the river itself. Initially we followed the acequia del Lízar, the small irrigation channel that runs above the riverbed. Soon afterwards, however, we alternated between the path and the riverbed, crossing the water repeatedly and walking stretches directly in the channel. Normally, this would be a dry or barely flowing river. After the heavy rainfall of the previous week, however, the Río Higuerón was carrying a continuous flow. The water had a pale, almost milky color — typical after strong rains in limestone terrain — and a surprisingly pleasant temperature. What would usually be an ordinary hike had turned into a river walk. Looking up, the houses of Frigiliana appear dramatically above the cliffs, including the Ingenio factory. Further downstream we passed La Escalera de los Rápidos, a section of small rapids and minor cascades, before reaching the Cahorros Bajos del Higuerón. These “low gorges” are often overlooked because many hikers aim for the upper gorges and turn back there, finding the return long enough without extending the route further. The Cahorros Bajos form a narrow gorge carved by the erosive action of the river through limestone, marble and conglomerate rock typical of the Sierra de Almijara. The geology is largely karstic. In places, the walls narrow to just over two metres, so that a tall person could almost touch both sides with outstretched arms. Small waterfalls, rapids and polished rock surfaces give this stretch particular scenic value. The gorge lies roughly between 260 and 140 metres above sea level, and its steep, rocky terrain reflects the abrupt relief characteristic of the area. Beyond the gorge, the valley opens into cultivated land dominated by avocado orchards. A concrete farm track leads back up toward La Molineta, completing the circular route. On this occasion, because of the unusual water level, the defining feature of the walk was not the distance or the elevation, but the simple fact that a normally dry riverbed had become a flowing river, transforming a standard hike into a true river hike.

The Tajo del Molino near the historic village of Teba becomes truly dramatic after periods of heavy rainfall. Normally a quiet gorge carved into the limestone landscape, it transforms into a roaring spectacle when stormwater rushes through the narrow ravine. After intense rain, powerful torrents surge over the rock edges and plunge into the depths below, filling the air with spray and the deep, echoing sound of rushing water. The usually calm channel turns into a churning force of nature, carrying branches, foam, and muddy currents through the steep-sided cut in the earth. The contrast between the white water and the dark, wet rock walls makes the scene especially striking. Getting too close during these conditions would be extremely dangerous. The rocks become slippery, the ground unstable, and the force of the water unpredictable. From the safety of the bridge above, however, the view is unforgettable. Looking down into the gorge as the water thunders below offers a powerful reminder of how quickly the landscape can change — and how impressive nature can be when given free rein.

This scenic walk begins in the white village of Farajan, beautifully set in the Valle del Genal. Once described by Ernest Hemingway as a “white swan upon a pond of hopes,” the village provides a charming starting point. From the main street, the route leads through the village and soon passes traditional orchards cultivated by local residents. Fruit trees, small terraces, and the remains of an old mill accompany the path, along with historic irrigation channels dating back to the Muslim period. The constant presence of water shapes both the landscape and the atmosphere. The first highlight is the Mirador de Balastar, offering beautiful views over the surrounding hills and the lush valley below. From there, the sound of rushing water guides you toward the Chorrera de Balastar. Suddenly, a hidden treasure appears: a waterfall over ten meters high cascading over pale travertine formations in a terraced area near the spring. A walnut tree provides welcome shade, making it the perfect place to pause and admire the scene. A little further down, a second, smaller waterfall forms from the overflow of the irrigation channel, though dense vegetation and thick travertine deposits partially obscure the view and make access more difficult. Continuing on, the path reaches the modest but fascinating Nacimiento de Balastar. Often overlooked, this spring area is marked by a curious double pool at ground level, just a few meters apart. Quiet and unassuming, it reveals the source of the water that shapes this entire walk — a gentle yet powerful reminder that here, everything begins with water.