Alcántara

The 48km/30mi long River Alcántara (Alcántara is Arabic for "bridge") is famous for its gorges and waterfalls. It rises at a height of 1,250m/4,100ft in the Monti Nébrodi in Northeast Sicily and, after initially flowing in a southeasterly direction, turns east at Randazzo towards the northern edge of Mount Etna and flows into the sea to the south of Taormina. The river valley is fertile and densely populated. Boulders composed of lava and tuff create interesting formations, thereby ensuring that the course of the river is full of variety.