Spain's most thrilling hiking trail: the Caminito del Rey

A Fascinating History

The Guadalhorce Valley, once unspoilt and forgotten, underwent a major transformation with the arrival of the industrial revolution.

From Hunter's Path to Service Path for the Hydroelectric Plant

Until the mid-1800s, only shepherds and hunters walked through the Gaitanes Gorge, but then industrialisation and mining came along and changed everything. The mines around Córdoba had to be connected to the coal factories of Málaga, so a railway network was built with tunnels and viaducts that met at the Gaitanes Gorge. The demand for electricity in Málaga increased, and coal from the north became too expensive. The solution? Hydropower! Engineer Rafael Benjumea led the project and changed the course of the Guadalhorce via a three-kilometre-long canal to the Salto del Chorro, where the water fell 100 metres down. The work was completed in 1906, and to facilitate maintenance of the canal, a path was carved into the rocks. This path was named Balconcillos de los Gaitanes.

Caminito del Rey, A Royal Walk

To ensure irrigation of the fields located in the Guadalhorce Valley, construction of the El Chorro Dam began in 1914. Then on May 21, 1921, King Alfonso XIII inaugurated the dam and walked over the Balconcillos de los Gaitanes during the ceremony. After this royal walk, everyone started calling the path the Caminito del Rey.

The Most Dangerous Path in the World

The Caminito del Rey started out as a service path but soon became a part of everyday life for the locals. In the mountainous area, lots of families lived in caves that they had converted into houses. The Balconcillos meant that these residents could move around easily and comfortably. Children could get to school faster, and there was more contact with other residents. People made their way over the Caminito del Rey on foot, by bike or even on horseback, and the path even had electric lighting. But overuse and the elements took their toll, and the walkway became a life-threatening hazard. After a number of accidents, the Caminito officially closed in 2000. This meant that contact between villages was lost, and part of local history went missing. But in 2015, after an extensive restoration, the new Caminito del Rey reopened, much to the delight of locals and visitors.

A Diverse Fauna

The landscape around the Gaitanes Gorge is really varied, with steep rocks, small forests and low shrubs, which makes it the ideal habitat for lots of different types of animals. On the rugged cliffs you will find many species of birds, like griffon vultures, golden eagles, peregrine falcons and eagle owls, as well as smaller birds such as jays, swallows, wagtails and rock pigeons. With a bit of luck (and patience!), you might even catch a glimpse of a Spanish ibex, a fox, or an Egyptian mongoose. The Guadalhorce River and surrounds are also home to otters, toads, frogs and a variety of reptiles, like ladder snakes, Andalusian wall lizards, and Spanish pond turtles.

A Lush Flora

In the rough area around the Caminito del Rey, some plants manage to survive in the nooks and crannies of steep rock walls. Many of these plants are native to the area and can be hard to spot, but if you look in the shady lower parts of the rocks, you'll find ferns and acanthus. And on the softer slopes, you'll find juniper and other Mediterranean shrub species like rosemary, marjoram and mastic tree. When you're hiking along the Caminito del Rey, as well as the plants I just mentioned, you'll also spot four other special shrubs and trees.

The Aleppo Pine

The Aleppo pine is a real survivor, it doesn't need much water to thrive in this dry climate. But there's a catch: its needles make the soil acidic, so other plants can't grow there. Plus, its roots grow close to the surface, which spreads fire easily during forest fires. To mitigate the risk of wildfires, some trees are cut down if they're too close together.

The Oleander

You find oleanders all over Spain, and in this area, they grow mostly along the Guadalhorce River. They're some of the most poisonous plants in the world, and even just breathing in smoke from a burning oleander can cause a heart attack. In Spain, oleanders planted along main roads stop animals from crossing, protecting both people and animals.

The Palmetto

The palmetto is the only palm tree that's native to Spain. Its leaves were used for all sorts in the past, like roofs, baskets, ropes and even clothing. You can eat the heart of the palmetto and it's good for you, but harvesting it kills the tree. Luckily, the palmetto is now protected, and these practices are banned.

The Carob Tree

The carob tree is easy to spot because it grows clusters of long, brown pods. These contain lots of rich protein, fibre and vitamins, and they can be used in gluten-free baking. Carob is similar to cocoa beans. In the past, it was often called 'the poor man's chocolate', because it was so cheap.

A Measure of Gold and Gemstones

The seeds of the carob tree are all the same size and weight – each one weighs 0.02 grams. The Ancient Greeks used them to weigh gems and jewellery. They called the seeds ‘κεράτιον’ (keration), which is where the word 'carat' comes from.

The Caminito del Rey, A Breathtaking Experience

Since it reopened, the Caminito del Rey is safer than ever. The walk along the narrow pathways and the dizzying suspension bridge is an amazing experience for more than 400,000 visitors every year, who come to enjoy the breathtaking views.

The Spectacular Suspension Bridge

The hike's highlight is the spectacular suspension bridge over the Gaitanes gorge. The impressive structure is 35 metres long and hangs 100 metres high above the Guadalhorce River. The suspension bridge is solidly built and safe for hikers, but it's still a thrilling experience because of its height and narrow passage. It's the perfect place to enjoy stunning views of the steep cliffs and the landscape below.

Practical Tips

If you're planning a trip to Andalusia, the Caminito del Rey is a must-do activity. It's super popular, so make sure you book your tickets online in advance, especially during the summer. You can buy them from the official website. They offer general tickets or guided tours.

Hiking the Caminito del Rey

The Caminito del Rey hike starts at the northern entrance of the trail, which is reached via a 1.5 km-long illuminated tunnel. At the start, just have your ticket checked and get a safety helmet. The total hike is almost 8 km, 3 km of which is over dizzying paths and the suspension bridge. The walk ends at the southern point near El Chorro. There you hand in your safety helmet and take the shuttle bus back to one of the car parks.

Parking

There are three car parks: two at the north entrance and one at the south exit. A shuttle bus runs between the three car parks, so it doesn't matter where you leave your car. Depending on where you park, it takes from 30 minutes to an hour to reach the starting point of the Caminito del Rey. So, make sure you get there on time, as tickets have a departure time.

What do you Bring? 

Make sure you've packed your camera! And of course, a small backpack with plenty of water, a snack and protection from the sun. Make sure you've got closed footwear – hiking boots are ideal, but sturdy trainers are also fine. Wear comfortable clothes and bring a windbreaker, depending on the season.

What is the Best Period to Go? 

If you're thinking of walking the Caminito del Rey, spring and autumn are the best times to go. It's dry then and the temperatures are nice. In summer, it can get really hot in the gorge. Winter is often rainy in the mountains, and then the hiking trail is closed for safety reasons.