Caminito del Rey Info

Caminito del Rey History

Learn about the history of the Caminito del Rey

problem? ... solution

That's how it started

The Caminito del Rey was nothing more than a necessary path for the construction of the El Chorro power plants.

The construction workers needed to get from one place to another in the facility, and that is why Rafael Benjumea built a first road.

This path was nothing more than some beams embedded in the mountain and joined by simple wooden planks. The story goes that sailors were the ones who hung from the top and made this first construction, and that it was also not easy at all due to the few resources. of the time.

According to history, even this construction cost the lives of some workers.

impressed

Tourism begins

The Caminito del Rey from the first moment aroused much admiration from visitors, at first friends and relatives of Rafael Benjumea but word quickly spread among the upper classes that what was seen there was something that could not be seen in any other place.

The original Caminito gradually deteriorated due to its simple construction and its use for the construction of the hydroelectric power plant, it even became quite dangerous, which is why Rafael Benjumea decided to reform the Caminito, this time with a much more solid and safe construction in order to serve visitors and for workers and residents of the area.

and the king arrived

Grand opening

In 1921 King Alfonso XIII traveled to the area to inaugurate the hydroelectric power plants, something that at the time was a novelty and that Rafael Benjumea, the author of this entire project, earned him to work for the crown in his next years. .

The King visited the place walking through what is now known as the Caminito del Rey thanks precisely to this visit made by the King.

danger

The ride turned into an adventure

The Caminito del Rey over time deteriorated and broke in many of its parts, some of them very dangerous to walk, for this reason the area became very famous in the world of climbing and adventurers, El Chorro al being one of the best areas for climbing and adding the danger of the Caminito del Rey was the destiny of many.

Many accidents occurred among the brave who dared to do the Caminito del Rey, some of these even died, for this reason the accesses to the Caminito del Rey were closed and whoever dared to enter it risked a fine of 6,000.00 €.

pick and shovel

Present

In 2014 the works for the restoration of the Caminito del Rey began, so that it would be the same as when Rafael Benjumea improved it so that the visits would be impressed, and boy have they succeeded, one of the best experiences in the world and with a fantastic story behind.

At the end of 2015, the Caminito del Rey was reopened to the public.

Route

This will be your visit to the Caminito del Rey

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

We First stage

Access control

The first thing we will find on our visit is the access control, where we will deliver our tickets and we will be given a safety helmet for our visit.

Here our guide will give some safety explanations and advice on the route.

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

the route begins

Gaitanejos Gorge

As tall as it is narrow, with heights of up to 300 meters and no more than 10 meters wide, the Gaitanejos Gorge is the first of the canyons that water has created over millions of years.

We will also see the famous giant pots, formed over years in the rock.

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

We First stage

Paloma´s Block

The first thing we will find on our visit is the access control, where we will deliver our tickets and we will be given a safety helmet for our visit.

Here our guide will give some safety explanations and advice on the route.

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

natural

Hoyo´s Valley

We entered the wonderful valley of the hole, like a secret kept between the two gorges and that it was proof of the past to be able to get here to enjoy it, the microclimate created in the Caminito del Rey leaves its mark on the valley of the hole.

A breath of pure nature before returning to the narrow and vertiginous catwalks.

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

Top

The Gran Gaitán Canyon

The most spectacular part of the Caminito del Rey where the walkway hangs from more than 100 meters high on walls of up to 300 meters.

We will pass through incredible places such as the Balcon de Cristal, Ribera Aqueduct (Still Active).

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

attention

Suspension Bridge

This 32 meter long bridge and at a height of 105 meters above the Guadalhorce River will put your nerves to the test, its floor that reveals the void will leave you breathless.

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

beautiful

The Last Gift

The Caminito del Rey gives us a beautiful ending, the exit walkway leaves us postcard views and an impressive last sensation.

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

That´s all folks

The End

And this is a short summary, we prefer not to give you all the information so that your visit is more impressive and you enjoy discovering the Caminito del Rey with us, so that each step and each explanation of our guides is unrepeatable.

Flora & Fauna

Unique environment in the world

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

microclimate

Flora

Thanks to the complex architecture of the Caminito del Rey, it has meant that over the years many types of plants and trees have grown inside, and also thanks to its gorges as if they were doors not letting them escape, that is why for thousands of years up to 600 different types can be found in this unique place in the world.

The most important junipers, hearts of palm, broom, rockrose, oleanders, poplars, willows and, most especially, African rudicapnos.

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

look at the sky

Fauna

The fauna in the Caminito del Rey is varied and all of them coexist in this very special place.

If we look at the sky, the Egyptian Vulture, the Griffon Vulture, the Golden Eagle and the Falcon, among many others, stand out.

At the foot of the land, multiple reptiles such as lizards, snakes and at the top of the Caminito del Rey mountain goats, foxes, rabbits, dormouse and badgers.

Around Caminito del Rey

This will be your visit to the Caminito del Rey

Behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Conson antia, there live the blind texts.

pure

Do not miss it

Near the Caminito del Rey we can find some of the most beautiful places in Malaga and of greatest interest.

The Caminito del Rey is surrounded by 3 typical Malagueñas regions, Guadalteba, Antequera and Valle del Guadalhorce, typical places that breathe the customs and the purest of the past, also with a fantastic gastronomy.

And in addition to these 3 regions, what ends up wrapping the Caminito del Rey are the towns of Ardales and Alora through which the Caminito has access and exit, and to the north and south Antequera, Campillos, Carratraca and Valle de Abdalajis, without any place We certainly recommend that you visit these towns, at least some of them on your visit to the Caminito del Rey.