If you're traveling to Marbella or Malaga, one of the sights or activities to add to your list is definitely Caminito Del Rey. The King's Little Pathway is an unique walkway, pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, near Ardales in the province of Málaga, Spain. The walkway had fallen into disrepair and was partially closed for over a decade, but after four years of extensive repairs and renovations, the walkway was re-opened in 2015. It has been known in the past as the "world's most dangerous walkway" following five deaths in 1999 and 2000.[
About Caminito del Rey
The Gorge Desfiladero de los Gaitanes canyon is a natural beauty spot, placed in the centre of the province, between the towns of Alora, Antequera and Ardales. This is considered to be one of the most beautiful spots of the Malaga Mountains. Between its steep and considerably high walls, flows the Guadalhorce river. The construction of a water channel from the reservoirs in the north to El Chorro lake, which was meant to make the most of the slope in a hydroelectric power station, was carried out together with a path for maintaining the channel. The construction began in 1901 and was finished in 1905.
The path is known as El Caminito del Rey, because it was first opened by King Alfonso XIII. The path is only about 3 kilometers long, but it's definitely not your average hiking path. The walkway is 1 metre (3 ft) in width and rises over 100 metres (330 ft) above the river below. It goes along vertical walls and a footbridge over the gorge on the same waterway. Until the arrival of the High Speed Train (AVE), the gorge was the only rail access to Málaga from the inland part of Andalusia, with a long tunnel in the east wall of the gorge. Today, there is another tunnel located one kilometer east, under Huma Mountain, used as an access by high-speed rail.
Tips
We purchased the tickets online, since it's always sold out, we thought that's the only way to go. Turns out that you can also turn up on the door and they will fit you in anyway.
We bought the tickets with the guide, but I honestly think it's not necessary. Without it you can go at your own pace and you won't miss that much information to be honest.
Park at the nothern access via Guadalhorce reservoirs and make sure to take swimming trunks and bathing suits with you to swim there afterwards.
Wither purchase online also the bus ticket or make sure to bring 2€ for the bus that will take you from the exit back to where you parked.
Bring plenty of water and some snacks, or you can also buy some nuts and snacks at the entrance.
Overall it's a stunning path and the views and the nature is simply stunning. It's not dangerous at all, it's very well maintained and protected with fences throughout the path. In August it can get a bit hot though, so either go really early in the morning (we went 10:00) or even better visit Caminito del Rey in September/October. For more info visit their website: www.caminitodelrey.info
