About

• Features

  El Caminito del Rey is a trail that means “king’s trail” in Spanish. Located in the province of Málaga in western Spain, it is an aerial trail built on the bluffs of the Gaitanes Gorge along the Guadalhorce River. It was once known as “the most dangerous path in the world” because it was in disrepair, collapsed in some places, and on the brink of being abandoned. Now, wooden walkways have been built where the trail had nearly collapsed, and fences and handrails have been installed to make it easier to walk. The trail is a thrilling experience for those who are afraid of heights, although it is possible to traverse the deep canyon while still enjoying the feeling of height.

• History

  The trail dates back to the early 20th century. It was built in 1905 to allow workers to travel between the two power plants on the east and west ends of the canyon during flood control construction. It became known as the “king's trail” because then King Alfonso XIII actually walked along it to attend the inauguration of the dam completed on the west side of the trail in 1921. After the dam was completed, workers stopped coming and going, and the trail fell into disrepair as a result of inadequate maintenance.

• Nature

  The canyon is formed of granite and is home to diverse wildlife. If you look up at the sky clipped by the precipitous cliffs, you may see griffon vultures, golden eagles, Egyptian vultures, and other birds. High in the canyon, ibex can roam and you can look for foxes and badgers. At the low water's edge, there are also small birds such as black wheatear and swallows. Rare plants are also found here, including the endangered rupicapnos africana, which grows in the crevices of the sheer cliffs and is a protected species in Andalusia.

• Although it is only 7.7 kilometers long, this trail never ceases to attract visitors. This is El Caminito del Rey trail in Málaga, in the western part of Spain. The aerial walkway that traces the cliffs of the Gaitanes Gorge was once known as the most dangerous path in the world. The cliffs on either side of the Guadalhorce River, which runs at the bottom of the gorge, reach heights of up to 700 meters. El Caminito del Rey is a single trail that connects the two villages of Ardales and Alora and takes 3 to 4 hours to traverse. The trail is about 100 meters in height, wide enough only for a single person to pass, and stretches for several kilometers. Some people have lost their lives on this treacherous trail, but there never ceases to be thrill-seekers who come to brave it. After being closed for some time, El Caminito del Rey was rebuilt in 2015. After four years of renovation, the nearly crumbling concrete path was replaced with a new wooden walkway and railings to make it safe to walk on. Some remnants of the original path can still be found beneath the wooden path, with the concrete of the past still visible. The gaping holes and exposed rebar show what it looked like in the past. You will also see old trees growing among the rocks and Jurassic period fossils nestled in the rock walls. Let’s take a look back to the time when this aerial walkway was first opened. It was built in 1905 to allow workers to travel between the two power stations on either side of the gorge. It became known as the “King’s Trail” after King Alfonso XIII of Spain traversed it in 1921 when he attended the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce. After the dam was completed, workers stopped traveling to and from the area, and it fell into disrepair due to inadequate maintenance. It is ironic that the worse the condition of the boardwalk deteriorated, the more well-known it became. The newest renewal has restored the aerial walkway to its former glory, worthy of its Royal name. To traverse El Caminito, you must reserve an admission ticket through the official Website. Please check the local website for the latest information.