Hiking the Caminito del Rey

One of the things we did in our last week in Spain was a day hike on a route called Caminito del Rey. 





entrance tunnel
This is a wonderful walk of about 6 or 7 kilometers depending on which starting point you use.  The section at the beginning goes through a gently forested area, and from our starting spot it also went through a (to me) long tunnel without illumination.   All you really see is the opening at the far end and not where your feet go, nor where the side walls are.  I was in the front and apparently kept going slower and slower till I was more or less just shuffling along.  Pretty freaky I tell you.




The mid section of the hike is the most spectacular.  This middle 2.7 km is on a walkway attached to the side of a cliff along a gorge.  The views are truly wonderful and even though the distance is not extensive, the walk takes a fair bit of time because you are spending most of it looking around (and up and down).  


There had been a walkway in that location for many years, originally for workers to access points that required maintenance for the hydro electric facilities.  The walkway itself was not very safe and had deteriorated tremendously over the years.  The internet has many images of the old walkway with rusty and rotting metalwork and missing concrete.  And, of course, I have the requisite scary photos myself. 

rotted section on old walkway

Original walkway under current walkway















When the previous version of the hike was open it was considered the most dangerous hike in Spain and over the years several people met their makers on it.  Ultimately it was closed and rebuilt, reopening in 2015.  Currently safety is a big issue and one is even expected to be wearing a hard hat as you walk (I guess falling stones are still an issue from time to time).  There are some employees that you see occasionally there I think to keep people following the rules.   
The third section of the hike goes from a high narrow bridge across the gorge, and then out to walk on a walkway, and roadway beside the river wending your way to the end. 

last section


Tickets are required and the number of hikers is controlled.  If you are planning on going on this hike you will need to get a ticket in advance, which can be purchased on line.  For the record it is a one way hike, and you take a bus from one end to the other.  The bus ticket is also available on line.  We parked at the end of the hike and took a bus to the beginning, but I believe the parking area is actually larger at the hike’s beginning.

Anyway – if one is ever in southern Spain, this is one we can heartily recommend!


 https://www.spain-holiday.com/Alora/articles/visiting-the-caminito-del-rey-malaga

http://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/

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