Caminito del Rey facts

The El Caminito del Rey, also known as the King’s Little Path, is a thin walkway on a narrow gorge in El Chorro in Málaga, Spain. 

There are plenty of amazing facts about Caminito del Rey to pique your interest. After a quick read on what to expect, consider booking a tour to Caminito del Rey.

If you are picnicking at this marvelous place, there are adventure tours and food tours to satiate the explorer and food lover in you. 

But first things first, here we deal with some interesting Caminito del Rey facts and info.

Read below to learn 10 interesting facts about Caminito del Rey.

• Constructed in the early 20th century, the Caminito del Rey needed repairs and was partially closed for over a decade.

• In 1921, the then Spanish king, Alphonso XIII walked on this trail along the Guadalahorce dam; since then, the locals named it Caminito del Rey. 

• It was built by prisoners and sailors, who were either used to working in dangerous conditions or had no other option but to do so.

• It was initially built to allow the hydroelectric power plant workers at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls to cross between them for transport, inspection, and maintenance.

• Back then, it was just a metal slab fixed onto the rocks and some concrete on top of it. It did have some handrails and safety wires for protection, but that wasn’t enough.

• Its collapsed concrete tops, highly deteriorated walkway, and lack of handrails had turned Caminito del Rey into an extreme vacation attraction.

• It was the world’s most dangerous walkway after 5 deaths in 1999 and 2000. This has to be one of the top 3 facts about Caminito del Rey.

• After all these accidents, Malaga’s regional council decided to reconstruct and renovate it to minimize the dangers tourists face.

• It was reopened in 2015 after 4 years of construction of a brand new structure, complete with all safety precautions.

• The walkway is 1 meter (3 feet and 3 inches) wide and is 3 kilometers (approx. 9842 feet) long. It is 100 meters (350 feet) above sea level.

This new structure is lightweight yet thrilling, too, without skimping on any safety measures, like helmets, handrails, and safety wires. Hence, it’s a lot safer now.

A steel mesh fence runs all along the walkway; a steel cable is also on the cliffs to hold on to.

PS: Don’t look down if you have a fear of heights!  Check this and some other tips to visiting Caminito del Rey.

El Caminito history 

Moving from the Caminito del Rey facts, the history of this place is pretty fascinating and goes back to 20th century.

Caminito del Rey is an aerial trail built in the walls of the Gaitanes gorge. 

The Renfe railway tracks started the trail in 1901 and construction ended in 1905.

To inaugurate this great work, King Alfonso XIII traveled in 1921 to the Conde del Guadalhorce dam crossing the trail previously built. 

It was from that moment people started calling it “Caminito del Rey,” which means The King’s Little Path. 

This is, perhaps, one of the most amazing facts about Caminito del Rey.

The Caminito del Rey path is terraced onto the Gaitanes gorge with a length of 3km in length and barely 1 meter in width. 

The original intention of building the walkway was to provide a pathway to the workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls. 

But due to neglect and age, there were large open gaps in the pathway and sections needed handrails.

Due to these issues, it was dubbed the most dangerous hike globally as fatal incidents were rampant, peaking in 1999-2000. 

There was a time when both entrances were closed for a period. But the regional government of Andalusia and the local government of Malaga agreed to share the cost of repair and restoration in 2011. 

The restoration was completed in 2014, but only at the end of March 2015 did it reopen for the public. 

To learn more about the fascinating trivia and stories related to Caminito del Rey and various hikers, you should opt for the guided Caminito del Rey tickets.

You can book an adventure activities ticket for the Caminito del Rey, including zip lining through these thrilling pathways for some distance. 

It is certainly a great way to elevate your Caminito del Rey experience.

El Caminito del Rey Weather Meteorology

Knowing about the El Caminito del Rey meteorology is crucial to smoothen your visit and ensure you can be as prepared as you need to be before beginning this expedition.

The temperature and weather conditions can drastically differ depending on the month and season, making the Caminito del Rey hike challenging. 

The official website of Caminito del Rey generally shows you the Caminito del Rey weather forecast of up to a week in advance. 

For more detailed forecast about the weather of Caminito del Rey Spain, click here.

If you visit in the summer, generally from June to August, you will find the weather warmer and with ample sun exposure. 

But, if you are going during the autumn or winter season, there is a chance that you might find rain as well. 

Knowing the Caminito del Rey weather forecast in advance will help you prepare better for these weather conditions & you can enjoy your Caminito del Rey hike to the fullest. 

Learn about the best time to experience Caminito del Rey.

Caminito del Rey Virtual tour 

Before your visit, you can have a little sneak peek into a virtuall Caminito del Rey hike. 

This visual experience may give you a beforehand impression of your tour.

The official website features a 3-D Caminito del Rey virtual tour of the Caminito del Rey hike. 

This, high-definition, 3-D fully immersive Caminito del Rey virtual tour will give you a taste of the Caminito del Rey hike experience. 

Visitors are encouraged to take a virtual tour and look around the natural greenery, epic landscapes, and beautiful views that await you on this spectacular Caminito del Rey hike. 

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Featured Image: Architecturaldigest.com