We drove about an hour north from Málaga to hike the Caminito del Rey trail. I linked to the Wiki page if you’re interested in the details behind the trail. In brief, it was a trail built as a shortcut for workers between two hydroelectric power plants. The river runs through two narrow slot canyons and the trail was built with steel beams bolted to the canyon walls and topped with concrete. The path was built between 1901 and 1905.
After nearly a century, the trail had fallen into disrepair, and after several people died in accidents in 1999 and 2000, the trail was officially closed. Intrepid hikers would still dare to hike “the most dangerous path in the world” leading to additional deaths. In 2011, regional governments agreed to rebuild the trail. This was a 3-year effort. Don’t worry, our walk was quite safe!
The region had heavy rains in the weeks before our scheduled hike (you have to purchase a pass ahead of time) and we lucked out: it opened on the day of our hike for the first time in two weeks. The river was so high that it was spilling over the hydroelectric dam.
As we looked down the trail, we could see the first slot canyon.
The river rushes into the canyon. Trust me, it was thunderous.
I may need some tips on how to wear the helmet. Helmets were provided to all hikers to protect us from any falling rocks.
A look back at the first slot canyon.
A look downstream as we exited the first canyon.
Another look back at the first slot canyon.
Even as we walked between the slot canyons, portions of the trail were bolted to a steep face.
A look down. The trail is about 100m above the river.
The valley between the canyons. The gap in the horizon is the second slot canyon.
A railroad line runs down the far side of the canyon. Note the green rail bridge in the center of the picture.
The entrance to the second slot canyon. The far canyon wall has “three roofs” carved out by the wind.
Here’s a look back up the river across the valley between the canyons.
The new trail is the top track, built above the original trail.
A look across at the rail line that’s mostly tunneled through the cliff on the other side of the river.
The bridge for the old path is in the (relative) foreground. The new path has a suspension bridge (which hikers are on).
Some views in the second slot canyon.
Leena takes a look down past her feet.
A view back. Another rail bridge is in the foreground, and you can see the path along the wall in the right hand side of the frame. Where it disappears is the exit of the second slot canyon. It’s so narrow it’s hard to see!
