Caminito del Rey from Nerja

The footbridge popularly known as El Caminito del Rey crosses the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes (Natural Area). The gorge is also called Garganta del Chorro as it is located a short distance from the Chorro reservoir.

The Natural Park of the Gaitanes Gorge is three kilometres long and has a maximum height of 400 metres. This place brings together numerous tourist attractions of great scenic value, such as: El Chorro Reservoir and the Caminito del Rey footbridge. In addition, it offers its visitors a total of 300 routes for climbing. In fact, this natural space is considered one of the most remarkable landscapes in the province of Malaga . Thanks to its spectacular high-rise rock structures.

The Caminito del Rey footbridge is located near the municipalities of Ardales, Alora and Antequera . Specifically, it belongs to the municipalities of Alora . The routes that form the footbridge are located on the course of the Guadalhorce River. At this point the Guadalhorce River would have crossed the following reservoirs: El Chorro, Guadalhorce, Gaitanejo and Guadalteba.

It is worth mentioning that the natural environment that surrounds the walkway is worth appreciating. The valley is home to numerous species of great biological value (in terms of flora and fauna). Due to these reasons and many others, this space was named a Natural Park in 1989.

The existence of the Caminito del Rey footbridge is due to maintenance reasons for the water channel inaugurated in the 1920s. The construction of this water channel took place under the reign of Alfonso XIII . The mentioned water channel began its journey in the reservoirs located to the north of Malaga until it emptied into the reservoir called El Chorro. The whole plan was devised in order to take advantage of the natural unevenness to build a hydroelectric plant. The footbridge built at that time was three kilometres long. Over the years it deteriorated until it was closed for restoration. Once restored in 2015, El Caminito del Rey is one of the most popular tourist symbols in Andalusia.

For your visit we recommend you booking some months in advance. Because the excursions that run along this spectacular walkway are in high demand. The visit can be done accompanied by tour guides or independently. The duration of the excursion is usually approximately three or four hours. Finally, El Caminito del Rey has a tremendously comfortable road access. From municipalities such as Nerja, the trip by car usually lasts 90 minutes.

In short, for us El Caminito del Rey is a must-see if the Costa del Sol is your next vacation destination.