El Caminito del Rey

El Caminito del Rey is a stunning walkway that runs along the cliffs of El Chorro Gorge, near Ardales in Málaga, Spain. Its name comes from its association with King Alfonso XIII, who crossed the path in 1921 during the inauguration of the Conde del Guadalhorce Dam. Originally built between 1901 and 1905, the path was designed to give workers access to hydroelectric plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls, facilitating maintenance and the transportation of materials.

When the original path was being built, workers had to endure incredibly dangerous conditions, often securing themselves with nothing more than a rope while they worked high above the gorge.

By the late 20th century, the walkway had fallen into disrepair, with large sections of the path collapsed and numerous accidents occurring, leading to its closure in 2000. Between 1999 and 2000, five people tragically lost their lives while attempting to walk the dangerous path. In response, the regional government of Andalusia, together with local authorities, initiated a €9 million restoration project in 2011, which took about three years to complete. The walkway was officially reopened in 2015, offering visitors a safe yet thrilling experience. Today, the Caminito del Rey is a 7.7 km trail suspended more than 100 meters above the gorge floor, offering panoramic views of the surrounding cliffs and the Guadalhorce River below.

Though much of the original structure has been preserved, including some of its iconic steel rails, the pathway has been modernized with new safety features. The route, which takes about 3-4 hours to complete, winds through the dramatic Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge.

The trail is linear, and visitors can walk from north to south, starting at the northern entrance near the Guadalhorce Dam in Ardales and finishing at the southern exit near the El Chorro railway station in Álora. Shuttle buses are available to take hikers between these two points, with parking available at designated areas. If travelling by train, there is a shuttle bus to the northern entrance from the El Chorro-Caminito del Rey railway station.

Despite its transformation into a safer tourist attraction, El Caminito del Rey remains today one of the most stunning and unique walks in the world. If you are planning a visit in Andalusia, make sure to not miss it.

General info and tickets: https://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/