Spain is a great place for travelers. This country is so different that millions of tourists with a variety of interests come here from year to year.
Some of them want to sunbathe on beautiful beaches while others prefer to explore cities with many historical sightseeings. And there are those who are looking for adrenaline in Spain. They go to Malaga. Here lies one of the most dangerous routes in the world — Caminito del Rey.
Photo: By User Gabirulo on FlickrGebruiker Gabirulo op Flickr, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
This pedestrian route passes along almost steep rocks and consists of concrete, spike-nails crushed straight into the rock, and railroad rails.
Photo: maxpixel.freegreatpicture (CC0 Public Domain)
Photo: By MichiNerja (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0 es)
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Originally it was a path for workers who were building a dam for one of the local hydropower companies. It is found high above the ground between two waterfalls — El Chorro and Gaitanhejo. The construction of the trail started in 1901 and lasted until 1905.
The trail got its name Caminito del Rey after the visit of the Spanish King Alfonso XIII, who walked on it during the dam opening ceremony.
The route was abandoned for almost a century. Over time, the trail has partially collapsed and has become unsafe in many places.
Photo: maxpixel.freegreatpicture (CC0 Public Domain)
Photo: pixabay.com (CC0 Creative Commons)
Photo: maxpixel.freegreatpicture (CC0 Public Domain)
Caminito del Rey was the focus of attention after some incidents in which several people died. But despite the route remained very popular, and tourists from all over the world wanted to feel the adrenaline. Between 1999 and 2000, four people died there. Then the Andalusian authorities decided to close it for public. The offender had to pay a huge fine — up to 30 thousand euros!
Today Caminito del Rey is finally opened for public after major renovation. The work took long 15 years!
Photo: By Malopez 21 (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Photo: maxpixel.freegreatpicture (CC0 Public Domain)
Photo: dancing_triss/flickr (CC BY 2.0)
The opened trail is 3 kilometers long! Despite the safety measures, the path is still exhilarating, and visitors should be very attentive and careful.
Photo: Aleksandr Zykov/flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Photo: Marbella Escapes/flickr (CC0 1.0)
Photo: Marbella Escapes/flickr (CC0 1.0)
Photo: Aleksandr Zykov/flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Photo: dancing_triss/flickr (CC BY 2.0)
Photo: Aleksandr Zykov/flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Based on: curioctopus.it