Caminito del Rey: Hiking Spain's Once-Deadliest Cliffside Path – Now Safely Restored
El Chorro, Spain
Balancing carefully on a narrow steel beam, I traversed the infamous Caminito del Rey, resisting the urge to look down at the raging river hundreds of feet below.
While living in Granada, Spain, for several months, I discovered the legendary Caminito del Rey in a remote part of Andalucía. Renowned among rock climbers and thrill-seekers for its extreme disrepair, this path clung precariously to sheer canyon walls, riddled with holes and missing sections that sent chills down my spine.
Dubbed Spain's most dangerous hike—and once considered the world's deadliest walkway—the Caminito del Rey (King's Little Pathway) dates back over a century and soars 100 meters (350 feet) above the ground. This concrete trail snakes through dramatic limestone cliffs near El Chorro village, leading into a secluded valley.
Could I summon the courage to tackle this solo? Doubts crept in, but adventure prevailed.
Hiking the Caminito del Rey
The full 3-kilometer (1.9-mile) route was an elite challenge for the bold. Collapsed concrete created gaping voids bridged by narrow, corroded steel beams. A via ferrata cable ran alongside, allowing climbers to secure harnesses—gear you brought or rented, or improvised like my Swiss Seat from webbing, rope, and carabiners.
However, the cable's condition was unmaintained, so safety was at your own risk.
Wearing durable Luna Sandals for traction and carrying a geared backpack, I hiked the path over eight times across four days, capturing footage with my GoPro.
Dangerous Yet Stunning
Gusts whipped through the gorge as I inched forward, each step a test of nerve. Fellow adventurers shared the peril; passing on the 1-meter-wide, hole-riddled path was tricky. Some spots left only 3-inch beams or required rock-climbing holds.
Comprising two sections through Gaitanes Gorge, it framed a hidden gem: the Valley of the Orange, encircled by peaks, dotted with orange trees along the Guadalhorce River, and featuring an abandoned ruin.
Fewer ventured the second, lineless section, demanding climbing prowess. After three intense hours, I emerged unscathed at the valley's end.
History of the Path
Constructed from 1901 to 1905, the walkway facilitated material transport between hydroelectric plants at Chorro and Gaitanejo Falls. A canal threaded through mountain tunnels, with steel doors for water control.
King Alfonso XIII inaugurated it in 1921, walking its length and inspiring its name.
Fatalities on the Caminito
At least five deaths occurred, the latest in 2000, plus numerous injuries. Unmaintained since the 1920s, rust devoured beams, and concrete crumbled, plummeting 100 meters to the canyon floor—a nightmare for acrophobes.
The 2015 Restoration
A €7.2 million project completed in 2015 replaced aging concrete with secure wooden walkways, glass balustrades, and handrails, welcoming tourists safely.
Though the raw thrill has softened, the canyon's majesty endures. My pre-restoration hike joins epic feats like volcano camping and cage-free shark dives. ★
Travel Video: Caminito del Rey in Spain
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