Located in the province of Malagain southern Spain, the Caminito del Rey is within the Natural Site of the Gaitanes Gorge. This spectacular cannon is located between the municipalities of ÁLORA, Ardales and Antequeraand its main access is located in the area of The jeta small village belonging to Álora. Its strategic enclave makes it a perfect destination for hiking and nature lovers, with rail and road connections that facilitate the arrival of visitors from different parts of the country.
This path, originally built for industrial purposes, has gone through different stages of splendor, abandonment and recovery. Its restoration in 2015 allowed the public to travel again with total certainty, making it a tourist attraction of international renown and one of the most visited paths in the country.
Now, the King’s Caminito adds a new milestone to its history with the construction of the largest pedestrian bridge in Spain. This new structure will not only improve the accessibility of the route, but will add an iconic element to an already impressive environment. If you are a lover of nature and hiking, you cannot miss this impressive place.
Origin and construction of the King Caminito
The Gaitanes gorge, where the King’s Caminito is located, is an imposing natural formation of the Bética mountain range. In some sections of the path, its walls reach more than 300 meters high and its width is reduced to less than 10 meters. It consists mainly of limestone and dolomites of the Jurassic, with rocky outcrops of the Miocene.
Throughout its geological history, water erosion has carved cavities and passageways in the rock, leading to a unique landscape of great geological and archaeological interest. In addition, the area has been declared a natural place in 1989, a special protection zone (Zepa) in 1987 and is part of the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean since 2006.
The path was built between 1901 and 1905 by the Chairo Hydroelectric Society, with the purpose of facilitating access between the Jump of Gaitanejo and El Salto del Charro for operators and transport of materials. The structure, suspended in the gorge wall, allowed the area to be traveled with greater safety and efficiency. Its official inauguration took place in 1921, when King Alfonso XIII toured the road from the Count of the Guadalhorce, which gave him his current name.
Deterioration and restoration
Over the years, the lack of attention and maintenance led to the deterioration of the road, causing its route to be extremely dangerous. Some pavement sections disappeared, leaving the exposed base beam and the absence of railings increased the risk of accidents. At the end of the 90s and early 2000s, several hikers lost their lives, which led to the Andalusian Board to close access in 2000 and demolish part of the way to avoid the passage of intruders.
In 2014, the Diputación de Málaga began the complete restoration of the King’s Caminito, a process that culminated with its inauguration on March 28, 2015. The new infrastructure maintains the essence of the original path, but incorporates security measures that allow visitors to travel without risks.
Characteristics of the tour
The King’s Caminito has a length of just under approximately eight kilometers, of which three kilometers correspond to the famous hanging catwalk. Its width is just one meter, making it an impressive and challenging air path. The route is suspended at an average height of 100 meters above the Guadalhorce River, offering spectacular panoramic views and direct contact with the gorge geology.
The road is divided into several sections, including forest paths, hanging catwalks and a 35 -meter long suspension bridge that joins two sections of the route. Visitors begin the tour in the Ardales area and end it in the jet, crossing areas of great natural and landscape wealth. The restored structure has safety measures such as railings and a wood and glass reinforced soil at certain points, allowing to admire the immensity of the cannon from a unique perspective.
Points of interest
Throughout the King’s walking route, visitors can enjoy several points of interest that enhance the attractiveness of the route:
- Count of the Guadalhorce: It was built in the 20s and it is an impressive engineering work that embals the waters of the Guadalhorce River. From his viewpoint you get a spectacular panoramic view of nearby embals.
- Guadalteba and Guadalhorce reservoir: It is an extensive set of artificial lakes surrounded by mountains and pine forests. They are located in the municipality of Campillos and are ideal for water activities and hiking.
- The suspension bridge: it is one of the most popular sections of the King’s walk, joining walls of the gorge at great height and providing an exciting experience and unique views.
- The jet: It is a small town with a great railway tradition and starting point for many hiking and climbing routes.
- ÁLORA: It is an Andalusian white town with an Arab castle at the top of a hill, from where you can contemplate the Guadalhorce Valley.
How to get there and recommendations
To get to the King Caminito, it can be done through its own vehicle or public transport. If you are going to visit it from Malaga, the fastest option is to take the A-357 road to Ardales and then follow the indications towards the northern access of the path. There are also trains to the jet, from where you can take a shuttle bus to the beginning of the route.
In addition, it is recommended to wear adequate clothing and footwear for hiking, water, sun protection and reserve inputs in advance, since the capacity is limited. You can book the entrances by accessing the Caminito del Rey website.
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