Caminito del Rey

Caminito del Rey · Málaga

Por Spain · 28 de enero de 2025

This route, stretching for almost 8 kilometres in the Málaga area (Andalusia), was once considered one of the most dangerous in the world. Today, the route has been fully restored and, although it is safer, one thing has not changed: the unique experience of walking along footbridges built in gorges at a height of over 100 metres.

The views are unforgettable. The Caminito del Rey trail is spectacular from start to finish, as it winds its way through gorges, canyons and a vast valley.

It passes through the landscapes of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park, a gorge carved out by the River Guadalhorce, with walls reaching depths of 700 metres. This area is also home to a wide variety of plant and animal species: with a bit of luck, you might spot mountain birds such as the Egyptian vulture, the griffon vulture or the golden eagle, or wild boar and mountain goats.

To walk the Caminito, you need to buy tickets, which can be booked via the official website.

The origins of this unique ‘aerial’ walkway, which hangs from the gorge’s walls at a height of around 100 metres, date back to the early 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 local hydroelectric power station.

In 1921, King Alfonso XIII inaugurated this great engineering feat by walking along the path to the Conde de Guadalhorce dam, and since then the route has become popularly known as the “Caminito del Rey”.

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