The Caminito del Rey, a notoriously frightening walkway in Spain, is set to open once again later this month. For the past fourteen years, it was closed down to visitors because it was deemed too dangerous for hikers to traverse. In fact, is was nearly impossible for anyone to conquer since parts of the famous walkway were missing due to disrepair and damage. A fine of 5,000 Euros was also charged to anyone who attempted the feat.
The famous trail is over three kilometers in length, more than 100 meters above the river and less than a meter in width. Also called the King’s Pathway, the walkway closed down in 2001 after five people fell to their deaths.
The area government in Andalusian along with Malaga city, however, has spent 2.5 million Euros to renovate the pathway, stating that it has been reinforced with safety measures to avoid future deaths.
It has taken a year to carry out the renovations. The repairs were conducted in such a way in order to stay true to the pathway’s previous design. In addition, steel bolts were placed deep inside the rocky cliff face to hold the walkway and some portions of it going across the Gorge of Gaitanes are made of glass.
A fee will be charged to anyone who wishes to take the daring walk and the number of crossers will be limited each day.
The original Caminito del Rey was constructed between 1901 and 1905. It was built as a way for the employees of the two nearby hydroelectric plants to get through with gear and supplies. When it was first constructed, the Caminito del Rey had no hand rails. Instead, there was a cable running along the walkway so that people going along it could attach a safety harness to prevent falls.
The path got its name from King Alfonso XIII who walked the path in 1921 to get to the opening of a dam nearby. Ten years later, the King was exiled, but still claimed rights to the throne even when he died in 1941. The king’s grandson, the present King Felipe, will cut the ribbon when the repaired Caminito del Rey pathway opens. It will be open to walkers on March 28, 2015.
