Caminito del Rey – The World’s once deadliest path is now Open

Whether you’re quite the fan of hiking or walking, the Caminto del Rey in Southern Spain may or may not be the thing for you. Established in 1905, this pathway has been considered the most dangerous in the world until its recent restoration, as it saw the death of 5 walkers between 1999 and 2000.

Summer is approaching near Malaga in Spain, meaning that the Caminto del Rey has been reopened for any daredevils to venture across. You may be wondering, who thought it would be a good idea to make this pathway in the first place? The original only spanned a meter across, which went on for a good 3km, whilst clinging 100 meters high to the side of a sheer drop. The path was only made from a thin sheet of concrete that was held by steel beams and over time this started to crumble away.

Daredevils? Or stupid? Some walkers risk the paths old state in 2006, despite being closed for safety reasons. (Image: Wikipedia)

Construction of the path started back in 1901 with intention to provide workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls with a means to cross between them, providing transport of materials, and to help facilitate inspection and maintenance of the channel. Health and safety wasn’t that much of a thing back then, clearly. I wouldn’t want to transport anything across that path even when it was brand new.

As mentioned, fatal incidents between 1999 and 2000 saw the pathway closed to the public as it was clearly becoming unsafe almost 1000 years since its inception. An extensive refurbishment was made which lead to its reopening in 2015, despite people still falling to their deaths as recent as 2013 when attempting to climb the closed gorge.

The new path is a lot more secure. The old path can be seen underneath it in most parts. (Image: Telegraph)

The Caminto del Rey is now safe for anybody to venture through, and the only requirement is that you wear a helmet. Sensible really, considering loose rocks probably fall from that cliff-side very often. Do you think you could stomach it?

Source: Telegraph