Caminito del Rey
| El Caminito del Rey | |
|---|---|
|
Ground-level view | |
| Established | 1905 |
| Length | 3 km. |
| Location | Álora, Málaga, Andalusia, Spain |
| Use | Hiking |
| Hiking details | |
| Trail difficulty | Expert |
| Hazards | Hazardous terrain |
El Caminito del Rey (English: The King's little pathway) is a walkway, pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, near Álora in the province of Málaga, Spain. The name is often shortened to Camino del Rey (English: King's pathway). The walkway had fallen into disrepair and was partially closed for over a decade. After four years of extensive repairs and renovations, the walkway re-opened in 2015. It has been known in the past as the "world's most dangerous walkway" following five deaths in 1999 and 2000.[1]
History
The walkway was built to provide workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls with means to cross between them, to provide for transport of materials, and to facilitate inspection and maintenance of the channel. Construction began in 1901 and was finished in 1905. In 1921, King Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway for the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce, and it became known by its present name.[2] The walkway is 1 metre (3 ft) in width, and rises over 100 metres (330 ft) above the river below.
The original path was constructed of concrete and rested on steel rails supported by stanchions at around 45 degrees into the rock face. Over the years, it became highly deteriorated, and there were numerous sections where part or all of the concrete top had collapsed. The result was large open air gaps that were bridged only by narrow steel beams or other support fixtures. Very few of the original handrails existed, although a safety wire ran the length of the path. Several people lost their lives on the walkway, and after two fatal accidents in 1999 and 2000,[3] the local government closed both entrances.
In June 2011, the regional government of Andalusia and the local government of Málaga agreed to share costs of restoration (including car parking and a museum) of €9 million. The project took approximately three years to complete.[4] Many of the original features remained in place.[5]
In March 2014, the cornerstone of the rehabilitation project was laid by specialized alpinists.[6] The walkway reopened on 29 March 2015 and was listed in the best new attractions for 2015 by Lonely Planet.
See also
References
- ↑ http://www.independent.ie/life/travel/travel-news/are-you-feeling-brave-enough-worlds-most-dangerous-footpath-has-reopened-31115741.html
- ↑ Bryant, Sue (2007). google.com/books Costa Del Sol. New Holland Publishers. p. 38. ISBN 978-1-84537-636-9. Retrieved 7 October 2010.
- ↑ https://www.euroweeklynews.com/ Euroweekly News Archive accessed 16-03-14
- ↑ diariosur.es "La Junta pagará la mitad de la rehabilitación del Caminito del Rey" (in Spanish). Diario Sur. June 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
- ↑ diariosur.es "El Caminito del Rey recuperará su aspecto original tras las obras de rehabilitación" (in Spanish). Diario Sur. December 15, 2010. Retrieved 2011-06-30.
- ↑ The Caminito del Rey will open Easter (29th March) 2015 caminodelrey.es, 13 March 2014 (English)
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Caminito del Rey. |
- Official website of Caminito del Rey
- News on Caminito del Rey restoration
- Tourist Information for the El Chorro, Camino del Rey and Gudalhorce reservoirs in English
- Caminito del Rey travel information
- Historic and tourist information and multimedia content in English about El Caminito del Rey, 31/03/2015
- Video of Caminito del Rey 2013
- 3D Virtual Tour, 20/03/2011