Category Archives: Camino del Rey

Poetry about the Caminito del Rey

Here is some poetry about the Caminito del Rey that someone sent me from the perspective of a person who is afraid of heights but still enjoyed the walk on the Caminito del Rey!”

Trembling with fear, I took the first step.
Along the pathway, once deemed so steep.
King’s Little Pathway, Caminito del Rey.
A marvel of engineering, that much was clear

I looked down, and my heart skipped a beat.
The river far below, seemed to compete.
With my nerves, and my courage so low.
But still, I walked, and I wouldn’t let go

The renovations made it safer, no doubt.
But the view, oh the view, it made me shout.
In awe and wonder, at the beauty so rare.
Of the Gaitanes Gorge, a sight beyond compare

I clutched the rail, with every step I took.
But with each one, I felt a little less shook.
The thrill of adventure, and the fear of height.
Filled me with a mix of emotions, both so bright

And as I reached the end, I felt so proud.
Of myself, for not giving in to my fears, and to bow.
To the beauty that I saw, with my own two eyes:
And the Caminito del Rey, I’d recommend to all, such a prize!

have you written any poetry about the Caminito del Rey. Please feel free to share in the comments!

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El Caminito del Rey – The Kings Path – El Chorro

A bit of history about the Caminito del Rey

“El Caminito del Rey”, in English, “The King’s little pathway”, was initially built as an access route. It enabled workers at the hydroelectric power plants of El Chorro Gorge and Gaitanes Gorge with an easier way to transport materials, maintain and inspect the workings of the two power plants. Construction of the “walkway” began in 1901 and was finished in 1905 and in 1921 King Alfonso XIII visited and walked along the path for the inauguration of the Conde del Guadalhorce dam and since that time it became known as the “Kings path”

The Kings Path - Photo Credit Diputacion de Malaga
The Kings Path – Photo Credit Diputacion de Malaga

The original walkway was just 1 metre (3.3 ft) wide and in places more than 100 metres (330 ft) above the river below. From one end to the other is about 3KM. The path was constructed with concrete resting

working on the original pathway
working on the original pathway

on steel rails supported by stanchions at around 45 degrees driven into the rock face and for many years was in a highly deteriorated state with numerous sections collapsed and large open air gaps bridged only by the narrow steel rails. Very few of the original handrails existed but a safety-wire placed by climbers ran the length of the path. The area is a mecca for climbers and the Caminito del Rey became known as one of the most impressive and dangerous mountain trails in the world (as the many videos on you tube certainly demonstrate.) But, after several people lost their lives on the walkway (in 1999 and 2000) both access points were demolished by local authorities and access prohibited.

In June 2011 the regional government of Andalusia and the local government of Málaga agreed to share the costs of a restoration project (including car parking and a museum) but even with a budget of €9 million euros,the project took approximately three years to start and only in March 2014 the restauration work began.

In its new upgraded and repaired state the Camino del Rey has wooden and concrete flooring, glass-bottomed viewing and safety rails along the whole length.

Camino del Rey 2014
How the Camino del Rey looked in 2014 – Photo Credit Diputacion de Malaga

The official opening ceremony took place in February 2015 and the Caminito del Rey is currently one of the most visited destinations in Andalucía.

Nearest hotel Accommodation

El Chorro – “La Garganta” hotel and tourist complex

Guadalhorce – The Posada del Conde Boutique Hotel


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Caminito del Rey reopens after rockfalls

UPDATE 2nd February 2023. Work to restore the damaged section of the famous El Chorro tourist attraction has been completed and the Caminito del Rey is open as normal with access from the Guadalhorce lakes /Kings chair/kiosko bar area.

The Caminito del Rey will reopen tomorrow, Friday 16th of December, with a circular route that will begin and end at the southern access to the area. (The El Chorro area which is normally the end point.) This is a provisional solution that will be available until the repairs of the damage (caused by the landslides in early December)

The temporary route is 500 meters shorter than usual, but it does mean that you get to go across the suspension bridge twice and pass through a tunnel that is normally closed to the public. If you have an entry ticket for the Caminito del Rey then you need to head to the El Chorro side and go to the “exit” point where people would normally leave their safety helmets on finishing the walk. The reservation system on the official site has instructions on getting there.

Caminito del rey closed due to rockslides

The people running the Caminito del Rey have decided to re open the walkway even though the the work on repairing the damage caused by last Mondays rockfalls have not been completed yet. The new circular route will not pass through the damaged area.

An initial evaluation of the damage has recommended that works will also be needed to stabilise the cliffs as well as repair the broken walkway. It’s so serious that in collaboration with the University of Malaga, a scan of the walls on both sides of the gorge will be carried out consisting of a high-resolution topographic survey, combining the use of LIDAR and photogrammetry. This will provide a 3D model to help engineers work out how to solve the issues of landslides and rockfalls in this, the narrowest part of the Caminito del Rey.

I have a feeling that this “temporary” measures might last for quite a while! 🙂 However, the official website for the Caminito del Rey is stating that works will be completed by January the 15th 2023.


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Caminito del Rey tickets spring and early summer 2023

From Wednesday March the 25th of January, Caminito del Rey tickets spring and early summer 2023 will be on sale via the official reservation website and for the various agencies that provide guided visits to the area. Tickets will be available up to June the 25th

This year the Caminito del Rey will also be open on Monday, April 3, coinciding with Holy Monday festivity (Easter), and on Monday May 1, (International workers day holiday.) NOTE: Normally the Caminito del Rey is closed on Mondays.

Also included in this next batch, is the availability to reserve car parking along with your entry ticket and the shuttle bus. The car park is located next to the official information centre for the Caminito del Rey (Puerto de las Atalayas). Read some important information about the reception centre here: https://www.caminodelrey.es/caminito-del-rey-visitors-reception-centre/

See here for instructions on booking your ticket: https://www.caminodelrey.es/the-booking-portal-for-the-caminito-del-rey-how-to-buy-an-entrance-ticket/

Read this if the date you want is not available: http://www.caminodelrey.es/no-tickets-for-the-caminito-left-online-no-problem-hopefully/

Or, have a look at these guided options from Get your Guide for Caminito del Rey tickets 2023

Caminito del Rey tickets spring and early summer 2023


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