LIFESTYLE – Caminito del Rey – Costa del Sol
The more than 100-year-old Caminito del Rey, meaning “The King’s Little Pathway”, is located in the mountains north of Málaga and was officially reopened in spring 2015. The trail, which is just over 5 km long, has quickly become one of the Costa del Sol’s major attractions. The original path had fallen into a very poor state of repair and was extremely dangerous. The new walkway is considerably safer, while still offering a truly exhilarating experience.
Caminito del Rey runs through a mountain gorge known as the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, situated between the municipalities of Álora, Ardales and Antequera. Long sections of the route consist of walkways attached to the sheer rock face, at times as much as 100 metres above the bottom of the gorge. The original path was constructed between 1901 and 1905 for practical reasons, as the hydroelectric company at El Chorro needed a route for its employees to access the power stations.
The path acquired its nickname in 1921, when the then King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, is said to have walked along it to inaugurate a new dam. Over the years, the path deteriorated to the point where it became extremely dangerous. However, this did not deter adventurous individuals from ignoring the restrictions and attempting to walk it. Fatal accidents occurred periodically during these daring exploits.
In 2006, the Provincial Government of Málaga received funding from the regional authorities to renovate the trail, at a cost of five million euros. The new “King’s Path” was officially inaugurated on 28 March 2015.
The surrounding area is exceptionally scenic and offers a number of different hiking routes. Ardales is also known for its reservoirs, where visitors can enjoy a variety of water sports, while rustic restaurants serve traditional country-style meals on terraces with spectacular views.
Interest in visiting the “King’s Path” has been enormous, and tickets need to be booked well in advance. The trail is a one-way route, so it is also advisable to book the bus transfer back to the starting point.
See the following link to book tickets, with prices starting from €10 per person. Caminito del Rey >>