Once known as “the world’s most dangerous walkway”, the Caminito underwent a massive transformation to make it safe for all hikers, and it was re-opened in March 2015. Since then it has become one of Andalucía’s most popular open-air attractions among international visitors.
Built along the cliffs of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes nature park, in the northern part of Málaga province, the trail is three kilometres long and one metre wide. One of the best-known, and most spectacular, points along the route is a hanging footbridge 105 metres above the ground.
The walkway was originally built to provide access for hydroelectric power plant workers and to facilitate the transport of materials and inspection and maintenance along the gorge. Construction began in 1901 and it was finished in 1905. In 1921, King Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway for the inauguration of the dam – hence its name, Caminito del Rey.