Caminito del Rey

The Caminito del Rey ( Spanish for The Royal Path ) is a three-kilometer Ferrata near Alora in the province of Málaga in southern Spain. He leads in about 100 meters along the steep walls by two up to 200 meters deep, narrow canyons and is referred to in the press as the most dangerous road in the world. The area is known for its rock climbing under the name El Chorro (Spain ) as an excellent winter climbing area.

History

In 1901, a connection was necessary through the gorge of El Chorro, the hydropower plants on Gaitanes be able to supply the Sociedad del Chorro Hidroeléctrica with material. The construction lasted until 1905. After King Alfonso XIII in 1921 took advantage of the way to the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce, the path got its present name.

The 3 km long road has many places of only about 1 m wide and is today partly forfeited. In some places the concrete slabs only rusty steel beams are knocked out and left. To mark absolute sure-footedness, fear of heights and upscale Via Ferrata skills are necessary.

After 1999 and 2000, a total of four people died, including three in 2000 to a zip line through the canyon (ie not on the Caminito itself), built from the local government beginning and end of Caminito del Rey. Nevertheless, the intrusion by an original older riser was still possible. For ascent of the on Caminito climbing routes this was still used. Meanwhile, the trail is almost universally secured with steel cables and well accessible for trusted and experienced hikers.

Parallel to the gorges there is a railway line that runs through tunnels through the mountains. Climbers use this tunnel in order to more convenient and faster to come into the valley beyond and around the Caminito not to use. Entering the tracks and tunnels, RENFE has now been fined between € 6,000 and € 30,000. On weekends, wait in the tunnels security forces to enforce the prohibition. Going through the tunnel is dangerous because there frequent trains to and these also are barely audible from the tunnel. In addition to the Caminito del Rey there is a longer but safer path around the mountain, which takes you to the valley lying behind. In the valley are still water channels and an abandoned house to find. The valley is the starting point for many climbing routes.

The regional government has adopted in 2006 a restoration plan. For this, € 8.3 million is estimated. The rehabilitation should begin in mid-2011 and take three years to complete. But flowed only in November 2011, the necessary funds of € 4.5 million to the region Guadalteba. Early 2013 has the necessary restoration not yet begun and repeated it comes to accidents caused by illegal use of the path.