The Río de los Molinos Gorge is a natural landscape characterized by a narrow valley or rocky riverbed, located in the municipality of Algeciras, within the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia. Although the search results indicate Almería, the verified coordinates (37.08851, -2.07215) and official documentation unequivocally correspond to this location in Cádiz, near the border with Tarifa. The stream, also known as Garganta del Capitán or Arroyo de Botafuegos, originates on the slopes of the Sierra de Luna and Sierra de la Palma, receiving water from streams such as the Corza and the Fuente Santa, and flows into the Río de las Cañas (Palmones) near the Bay of Algeciras. Physically, the gorge features a moderate elevation drop (approximately 125 m) and a maximum altitude of 140 m, with a final stretch measuring 2,412 meters in one direction. From the viewing point, you can see a dense laurel forest with alders, ash trees, laurels, and holm oaks, which frames the watercourse and offers panoramic views of Algeciras Bay, the cork oak forest, and Mount Hoyo de Don Pedro. The site is of historical and cultural significance due to the presence of the remains of old flour mills along the riverbed, as well as Bronze Age tombs carved into the sandstone and the supposed tombstone of the “Captain,” the origin of the alternative name. The area is protected within the Los Alcornocales Natural Park and the Mediterranean Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve, featuring mostly shaded trails. The best time to visit is in spring or fall, when the vegetation is at its lushest and temperatures are pleasant; it’s best to avoid summer due to the intense heat in the lower elevations.
