El Caminito del Rey is known as one of the most dangerous roads in the world, with at least five people killed on it between 1999 and 2000. It runs through the El Chorro gorge, near the Ardales area of ​​Málaga province. Thousands of tourists visit the path each year, but that doesn’t mean everyone can complete it easily.

Built between 1901 and 1905, El Caminito del Rey was completed and became the only way for workers to pᴀss through the canyon and build two new hydroelectric dams. In 1921, King Alfonso XIII of Spain walked this path to inaugurate the Conde Del Guadalhorce Dam. According to European tradition, any place with the emperor’s seal would be honored with the name King’s Pathway, which is also the meaning of the name El Caminito del Rey.

After several accidents, the road was closed for about 15 years in 2000 because the government wanted to repair it and turn it into a tourist destination. Before that, the road was only concrete, but after many years of use, some sections collapsed, leaving the steel sections exposed, forcing walkers to cling to the road and wear protective gear like mountain climbers. In 2015, visitors were able to return and conquer El Caminito del Rey when it was equipped with mesh railings and sturdy wooden floors. The process of renovating and upgrading this canyon road was also awarded the Europa Nostra award for heritage conservation.

The path is only about 8 km long but it takes an average person 3-4 hours to complete. Visitors will have to walk across a narrow and precarious wooden plank path at a height of nearly 100m above the Guadalhorce River. The path is 90cm wide at its widest point. But despite the danger, El Caminito del Rey still attracts visitors because of its spectacular natural landscape, surrounded by towering rocks, below which lucky people can encounter Egyptian vultures, Aleppo pines and eucalyptus trees on the way to explore.

Tourists can book tickets for 10 euros per person to go on their own or buy a package tour through travel companies that provide everything from accommodation to insurance, guide services, and visits to nearby destinations. Each guest, whether traveling on their own or on a tour, is provided with a helmet to walk on El Caminito del Rey. The road is currently open from Tuesday to Sunday, except in cases of severe weather when there will be a notice of closure.