Duna de Bolonia

Its formation is a textbook case of aeolian geomorphology. The coastline of Bolonia runs south-east/north-west, and the levante wind constantly projects a stream of fine sand that sweeps the beach to the back of the cove. There, the sand meets the barrier of pine forest almost perpendicularly, stops and accumulates. The result is a living dune: at its summit, the struggle is continuous between the advancing sand and the resisting pines: the dune rises above the pines, and the excess sand is carried off by the strongest winds.

Access is from the western car park of Bolonia beach. You walk a few minutes in the soft sand, and start the climb barehanded. It is forbidden to go up by motorbike or bicycle or to take sand. The sunset from the summit is one of the emblematic spectacles of the area: a view due west over the bay, over the Sierra de la Plata on the Faro Camarinal side, and over Morocco in the background. Useful all year round, with attention to days of very strong levante when the sand stings.