Apr
26
El Caminito del Rey Tempts Fate
Filed Under Adventure, Hiking, Recreation, Videos | Leave a Comment
Via Ferrata, Italian for “iron road”, is what best describes El Caminito del Rey. If you are brave enough and have the skill and ability to hike along some of the world’s most dangerous pathways, you are probably quite familiar with El Caminito del Rey.
This mountain route, more commonly known as the King’s Pathway, was constructed along the walls of an El Chorro gorge in Spain back in the year 1905. It was during the inauguration of the dam Conde del Guadalhorce in 1921 when King Alfonso XIII crossed the path, giving the walkway it’s name. El Caminito del Rey exists to this day, however it is off limits due to it’s condition.
This has not stopped the world’s most daring and skilled adventurists from climbing the path as seen throughout the photos and video. 
Much of the walkway has deteriorated, leaving nothing but a few beams to connect sections of the path to each other. Most of the handrails that were once in place no longer exist, leaving nothing to but a thin wire to support yourself while walking well over 700 feet above the Guadalhorce river. Several lives have been lost while attempting to navigate this rough terrain, yet this has not deterred others from tempting fate. The Spain government has budgeted to restore this historical walkway back in 2006.
The above video shows you what it’s like to walk the pathway of El Caminito del Rey, the safe way. I must say, the video is not for the faint of heart, but provides an incredible glimpse into what this walk would be like if you were to choose to hike it yourself.