Hello everyone, my vacation is starting and today i went on the caminito del rey route. This route is almost 8 kilometers in the Malaga region. This route was considered the most dangerous route in the world! today the route is safer and the views are unforgettable 💖
The Caminito del Rey route is spectacular from start to finish, as it passes through gorges, canyons and a large valley. It crosses the landscapes of the Paraje Natural Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a gorge excavated by the Guadalhorce River with walls that reach a depth of 700 meters. In addition, this area is home to a large number of species of fauna and flora: with a little luck, it is possible to see mountain birds such as the Egyptian vulture, the bone-broker or the golden eagle, or specimens of wild boar and mountain goat. To be able to walk the Caminito it is necessary to buy tickets, which can be booked online through the website caminito del rey
. Why is it called Caminito del Rey?
The origin of this unique “aerial” trail, which remains hanging from the canyon walls at a height of about 100 meters, dates back to the beginning of the 20th century. It was built between the Gaitanejo and El Chorro waterfalls to facilitate the transport of materials and the passage of maintenance workers at the hydroelectric plant in the area. In 1921, King Alfonso XIII inaugurated this great work crossing the road to the Conde de Guadalhorce dam, and since then the path has become popularly known as “Caminito del Rey”.
. How is the route?
The path is linear and is carried out in a single descending direction, from north to south, one part by trails and the other by footbridges. It is 7.7 kilometers that usually take approximately 3-4 hours, from the beginning, located in the municipality of Ardales, to the exit, in the small town of Álora. The reception area at the beginning has a restaurant, several parking areas and is also the final stop for the shuttle bus that joins the north and south
accesses of the route.
From this place, the two trails that lead to the guardhouse and the Gaitanejo dam, the entrance to the official route of the Caminito del Rey, leave. The longest is 2.7 kilometers from the “Sillón del Rey” (the king's armchair), a set of benches, table and armchair made of stone that were used by Alfonso XIII, or through the tunnel that is next to the restaurant. The other trail is shorter: 1.5 km, and starts through a smaller pedestrian tunnel, which is about 200 meters before reaching the restaurant.
Upon arriving at the checkpoint, visitors receive a protective helmet and it is verified that they are wearing suitable footwear. From the viewpoint of the Gaitanejo dam, the cave houses of Sierra Parda can be seen, which were used as housing by the people who worked at the hydroelectric power plant. After reaching the footbridges, the route continues through the Gaitanejo gorge and the canyon known as Tajo de las Palomas, where the King's Bridge is located. Step by step, the landscape changes as you approach the El Hoyo valley, with its lush forests.
Afterwards, the path enters the spectacular gorge of Los Gaitanes through the “hanging” walkways over 100 meters high. In this stretch it is possible to see, among other wonders, a centenary sabina that grows in the middle of the rocks, the so-called “fossil beach” that conserves several Jurassic fossil footprints, or leaning on the glass balcony that protrudes from the walkway, a sensation to test the degree of vertigo of the visitors. The trail progresses towards the final section: after handing over the helmets at the checkpoint, a 2.1-kilometer trail begins to descend to the El Chorro
train station.
Plan back As it is a linear one-way route, once the route is finished, you will need to add up the time back to the starting point (approximately another hour), so it is advisable to plan well the times and distances.
If you arrive by car, the most recommended thing is to park it in one of the authorized parking lots and return to the vehicle later using the shuttle buses that communicate the north access, in the Guadalhorce (Ardales) reservoir area, with the south access, in the El Chorro train station (Álora), in both directions. Another option is to walk back, but in this case you will have to take into account factors such as the light, depending on the time of year, and the weather, since there are several kilometers on a local and narrow road.
If you arrive by train, at the El Chorro-Caminito del Rey station you will need to take a shuttle bus to the north access to start the journey, so you will also have to take this time into account. However, once you have completed the Caminito, the only thing you will have to do is take the train back.
Have in mind
- In addition to the general visit, which is free, there is a guided tour modality to learn more about the history, geography and biodiversity of the region.
- It is advisable to bring water, a snack or a sandwich for lunch.
- The characteristics of the route, in the middle of steep walls, with walkways and bridges suspended at a great height, inevitably produces a sensation of vertigo, so it is not recommended for people who suffer from this condition.
- Of the total route, 2.9 kilometers correspond to the distance between the entrance control box of the north walkway and the exit control of the south walkway. The rest are the kilometers of trails and forest tracks that must be walked between the established access or exit areas and the control gates
- There is a tunnel parallel to the footbridges of the Los Gaitanes Canyon that works as an alternative to the aerial trail on days when, due to rain or wind, landslides may occur. The tunnel is about 300 meters long, of which 285 are internal and 15 external, in Valle del rey!
I hope you like it, see you soon friends 😀
Hoyo.