Río De La Miel: Watercourse, Beach and Coastal History

The Río de la Miel is a watercourse that flows year-round and rises at the springs of Nacimiento.

The Río de la Miel at the Molino de Papel is one of the natural outlets of the groundwater system.

The Río de la Miel area lies on the eastern edge of the municipality of Nerja in the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara and Alhama Natural Park.

Other destinations: Maro

Nature

A relict endemic plant community has been preserved in the Río de la Miel catchment area; it includes Buxus balearica, Cneorum tricoccum and Pistacia lentiscus.

The area features very rugged terrain. Numerous houses and agricultural holdings are scattered along a narrow road near the N-340.

After a temporary closure related to forest-fire response operations, the MA-6102 road in the Río de la Miel area was reopened.

Beach and Trails

Playa del Molino de Papel is 400 metres long and 15 metres wide.

Large rocks at both ends make Playa del Molino de Papel suitable for scuba diving.

Playa del Molino de Papel is easily accessible on foot; the N-340 runs nearby.

The old N-340 is used for walks to the viewpoints and Playa del Molino de Papel.

There is an information board at the car park of Playa del Molino de Papel.

In the area of Playa Molino de Papel designated as a diving-restriction zone, scuba diving and freediving are not permitted.

Outside the prohibited zones, scuba diving requires prior authorisation from the competent Consejería.

History

The Molino de Papel on the Río de la Miel is an example of 18th-century industrial heritage.

The first watchtower at the site of the Torre Río de la Miel was built in the last quarter of the 16th century to monitor the mouth of the Río de la Miel and the nearby coves.

Construction of the new Torre Río de la Miel began in 1751 under the direction of the engineer Juan Zahoras.

The Torre Río de la Miel formed part of the coastal defence network against raids by Barbary pirates.

The Torre del Río de la Miel stood at Playa Río de la Miel, near the mouth of the Río de la Miel and the Molino de Papel.

Storm Leonardo caused the last remains of the Torre Río de la Miel to collapse, making the historic landmark physically disappear.

Archaeology

At Abrigo del Río de la Miel C, probable Chalcolithic pottery remains, a lithic industry and even an Argaric dagger were documented.

At Abrigo del Río de la Miel A, pottery, mollusc material and pigment residues have been preserved on the walls.

For the higher-level travel overview: Nerja.