Do you dare to walk the Andalusian heights of the Caminito del Rey?
El Caminito del Rey (“king's path” in literal translation) had closed since 2000 after several accidents and due to landslides. This via ferrata at the gates of Malaga (in Andalusia), where the Guadalhorce river flows 700 meters below in places, has been restored and has been welcoming walkers again since March 28, 2015.
But other than these previous accidents, what makes Caminito del Rey considered the most dangerous hiking trail in the world?
3 kilometers in 90 minutes
Accessible by the Guadalhorce reservoirs (in the North) and by the village of El Chorro (in the South), of the same name as the gorges overlooked by the adventurers, a confirmed level in mountaineering and climbing is required. It would be unconscious to believe that being a little sporty and not having vertigo are enough to tempt the adventure of El Caminito del Rey.
As proof, the average excursion which runs over 3 km takes 90 minutes. A course that never exceeds more than a meter in width. Sometimes it's a balancing act that awaits extreme hikers.
Carabiner required at times
The new track built on top of the original is more secure, but thrill seekers won't be disappointed. Far from there ! Several passages require the use of the carabiner, on the rock for several meters to reach the other board. Rest assured, since the restoration of the path, reinforced concrete slabs maintained by rails have been embedded in the cliff.
This via ferrata is considered the most dangerous in the world. But put yourself in the shoes of the engineers who erected it during the construction of two hydroelectric dams. It was between 1901 and 1905 ...
And if that wasn't enough for you, discover other even more dangerous places around the world ...
