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…

You ask me: is Caminito del Rey worth it?

 

Totally, a hundred times, definitely, YES, go.

 

For the views and the experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Caminito del Rey is no longer “The Most Dangerous Walk in the World” but it is definitely one of the most amazing ones!

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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