El Caminito del Rey
El Caminito del Rey
This unique aerial path, suspended 100 meters up against the walls of the gorge, originates in the early 20th century. It was built between the waterfalls of Gaitanejo and El Chorro to bring materials and maintenance workers to the local hydroelectric dam. In 1921, King Alfonso XIII officially opened this feat of engineering, taking the walkway to the Conde de Guadalhorce dam, and since then it has been known as “the King’s little walk” - Caminito del Rey.
This almost 8-kilometre path near Malaga (Andalusia) was once considered one of the most dangerous in the world. Today the entire route has been carefully restored, but although it's now much safer, one thing hasn't changed - the unique experience of strolling along walkways hanging over 100 metres up on a sheer cliff face. The views are unforgettable.
The Caminito del Rey route is spectacular from beginning to end, running through cliffs, canyons, and a large valley. It crosses the landscapes of Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a gorge carved out by the river Guadalhorce, with walls 700 metres high. The area is also inhabited by a wide variety of plant and animal species; with a little luck, you can see highland birds like Egyptian vultures, griffon vultures, or golden eagles, and mammals such as wild boar and Iberian ibex. You will need to buy tickets for El Caminito del Rey, and you can reserve them on the official website.
