The other day I was texting with Cindy (…still keeping in touch in 2024 – she really is my Camino sister. As I said many times, if she hadn’t stopped on day 1 in the Pyrenees and asked me if I was okay, then probably I would’ve gone back to Paris and given up.) So, anyway, blablabla, we are texting about future travel plans (hopefully one day we will be able to do the Camino Del Norte together… 😇), and she says she wants to do the Caminito del Rey near Málaga, Spain… And I was like holdonasecond, I actually walked that one before.
So… I will take you on a quick detour today from the North of Spain and my Camino de Santiago series to the South, and visit Caminito del Rey. It was once considered as one of the most dangerous walking path in the world – more about this in a bit – but I promise, today it is completely safe – but not for the faint-hearted or those with a fear of heights!
I was surprised by how steady the path is – considering the given circumstances… – I was expecting some swaying and slow dancing but it was very stable.
… the circumstances.
It did have some perfect phone / camera-sized gaps, so be extra careful and hold onto your gear like there’s actually no tomorrow.
The walk is about 3 km long, mostly on a flat surface so it can be done in 2 hours or so. It’s considered to be an easy hike, no special clothing is needed, have your comfortable hiking boots – flip-flops and walking sticks are not allowed – layered clothing, and water. You can expect roughly a meter-wide wooden walkway clinging to the side of the rock 100 meters from the canyon grounds and the rushing Guadalhorce river. Above you, 2-300 meter high rock walls, blue skies, and vultures circling – probably waiting for dinner.
Just a quick side note tho… it’s worth keeping in mind that there is a hanging bridge close to the end. I can’t really put it nicer so I will just say it as it is…
So… it is see-through, and well… it is moving, even during calm weather conditions. Oh, and a waterfall is gushing right under you.
This is a one-way walk and, there is no alternative way other than this bridge. So, you may need to take a moment to pep-talk yourself into crossing. I don’t want to talk anyone out of this experience, this would be my last intention with this blog post. I felt safe throughout the experience, but this bridge part was like… oookay just gimme’ a quick second before I walk in the middle of a gorge, 105 meters above the river. 
The original path was constructed in 1901 to provide access for workers and to bring materials to the El Chorro hydroelectric power station from the waterfalls of Gaitanejo in Andalucia. It got the name Caminito del Rey – the King’s Path – in 1921 when King Alfonso XIII officially walked the trail.
Over time the trail was highly damaged. Natural circumstances and human actions brought it to a state where it was dangerous even for experienced climbers. – it was no longer a walk, it became more like a climb.
The original structure was closed off to the public in 2000 due to 10 deaths. Málaga’s regional council started the complete restoration process and in 2015 the Caminito del Rey was reopened to the public with modern health and safety requirements. Since the new path has been opened it has been no deaths or accidents reported.
Many parts of the old path are still visible today.
Looking at the collapsed remains of the original barely half-a-meter-wide path, you can’t help but think about the old times, and the workers routinely taking this path daily, back and forth…
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… Jó éjszakát, szevasztok!
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Pps.: … a bit of after-credits fun here for you, a video from a casual hike from 06 April 2014
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I have no head for heights. It looks too scary for me.
i can totally understand that it’s not for everyone!
Beautiful views! I guess you have to go to scary places to get views like these 😃
in this case, definitely 😊 it is really beautiful, and something you don’t see every day, for sure!
Wow!! Incredible 😲
it really is!
I don’t mind heights, but this is pretty adventurous.
if you are not scared of height, then I can totally recommend! …. Just that bridge at the end is the only tricky part!
That’s what I was thinking: I walked along some pretty nifty glass walkways, so it’s not the fear of heights, and I enjoyed it vicariously through your photos. Like Kathleen said it “is pretty adventurous” and the old path … definitely not for me, more like out of an Indiana Jones movie 🙂
Wow! That bridge looks terrifying! The views are spectacular!
it was a bit terrifying, but I pulled myself together 🙏😀
I’m a little bit jealous of you Camino Sis…🥰🤣
❤️🤗🤗🤗
That certainly looks memorable!
Looks very challenging.
I’m afraid you will have to enjoy this trip without me-heights, swinging bridges-we don’t get along well 🙂
ahaha well the bridge was certainly something even for me too 😳🙏
Looks great and has long been on my list of walks to do! 😀
i can totally recommend 😊 I hope you will have a chance to visit. Happy walking 😊
Sure looks dangerous to me – thanks, but I’ll pass on it😊
i can totally understand that it’s not for everyone!
Hi noemi Can we talk personal chat? I just really interested with your post and maybe in a future we have keep on touch
Hi, of course, you can contact me anytime through the “contact” menu or via Instagram dm
I Can’t find your Instagram could you please send the full name please
💚💖💓
Blessed and Happy Saturday 🌞 Greetings 🇪🇸
🌹🏵️🌺🌷🪷🌸💮🏵️🌼🌻🪻
Greetings! 😊💃 Thanks for visiting my blog!
Scary 😟
You’re so brave. I think I pass… the heights, you see. I cannot do that. Thanks for the photos. Enjoy. ☺️
So beautiful!
WOW. I did the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb a few years ago and thought that was scary. This one takes the cake.
Great pics📷👍
Well… it really was an experience! 😅
So gorgeous I loved all the images
Happy you liked it 😊 thank you for the visit
I’d love to try this!!!
It’s really worth it 😊
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This article is incredibly helpful. Thank you for sharing!
I’m glad you like it 🙂
my feet are getting pins and needles whilst watching this you tube video. I hope to one day do this walk. I have a friend walking it at the moment and sending us updates.
Thank you for liking my high tea post.
Too high up for me!
Looks a bit to high for my irrational fear of heights brain. Great views though.
That’s quite scary and enthralling at the same time !
Wow!
Uffffff! I live in Spain (Córdoba), and haven’t yet done this walk — but I cetainly will in the future. Looks amazing — great photos too!
oh my – I did this walk in 1990. Brings back some memories – as per your older photos it was quite a different experience then.
oh my god! How exciting!!! Can you tell a bit more about how it was back then?
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Wow! this looks super cool
Great post!
Thanks for sharing and greetings from Greece!
Super! Love the zeal and it looks to be awesome.
Thanks for giving the chance to see this. Much appreciated.
Gwen.
Wow Amazing!!!
Thanks for taking us on such an amazing walk. I don’t like heights with lots of space underneath! But how brave and clever were the people who created and rebuilt this route.
Love the video. 🙂
VIdeo of the 2014 “trail” looks like a ferrata in the Dolomites. Thanks!
WOW!
Amazing, but not for me.
Would love to walk this! Great photos and advice.
Not for me! I get vertigo.
Your em dashes are beautiful and quite lovely.
One of my friend did it this year, just before we went on the Via de la Plata ( he actually had 700 km to walk as he already done 300 km last fall). Great photo Noémie. If ever I am travelling in this part of the world, I would love to do it but i don’t think my husband would be up to it ( a bit scared of height).
Far too scary for me!
I couldn’t deal with the trail sections without a protected guard rail to hang on/protection.
Clearly these areas never get snow/ice, right? Does one stop somewhere for overnight along trail?
Wow!
You don’t often hear about “danger-strolls”…
This is amazing and dangerous walking 🚶♀️ path in the world so true 🌷🙏👌😍cheers you two ,beautiful 💗💗👏
Looks scary but exhilarating at the same time!
it can be a bit scary, not gonna lie. But also such a cool experience. Totally worth it.
Cool :).