Dangerous Walks
Dangerous Walks
More than just a gentle hike through the countryside...
SOUTHERN SPAIN: El Camino del Rey (The Kings
Walkway)
Billed in "Let's Go Spain" as
"The Most Dangerous walkway in Europe",
this takes some beating. It was built in the 1921 and named after King Alfonso
XIII of Spain and is a concrete path that clings precariously to the sides of
El Chorro gorge or the Garganta del Chorro, following the Gorge until it ends
at a reservoir and "the beautiful blue lakes" where there is a bar,
camping and swimming.
LATEST NEWS: I put these picture up on my website TEN years ago and people have
reported the gradual demise of the walkway. I heard in 2006 that it is closed
and you are fined if you try and walk through the tunnels. BIG BIG SHAME. This
was one man made wonder that should have been given World Heritage Status.
The lakes are man made and are the
result of the dam built across the riverr Guadalhorce, and are known as
"Malaga's Lake District. It is rumored that you can see them just before
you land at Malaga airport!
The walk commences at the railway station of El Chorro, which is about an hour
north of Malaga, walking though the woods until you
find the railway line. Walk along side the tracks though three tunnels (there
are trains going through too), until you see the walkway. The walk has been
restored in recent years, but photos were taken pre-restoration.
(Double Click on the pictures to enlarge them)
The Gorge as you approach El Chorro
from the south, and the start of the walkway (the path suspended from the middle
of the cliffs)
The walk starts at the right by the railway,
in the upper right of the picture and then follows the gorge as the walkway
clings on. You cross the bridge to get to the most dramatic part of the walkway
(picture 3)
On the walkway at the start. It looks wide
enough, but the drop off the edge is not for the faint hearted.
Spectacular!
The path at its best.
If you are too scared to do the
walkway, you have to go through the railway tunnel on the center left. Everyone
gets to do this bridge though,
no rails and a howling wind make it wicked.
Towards the top of the gorge=
The
end and the "beautiful blue lakes". Dos cervesa, por favor
Hope you enjoyed the walk. If you have any good, dangerous, walks let us know.
More walks here soon, contact me
Back to The Bizarre Basement
Back to Ross Martin Tax