Description

Winding through a narrow gorge above the tiny Andalusian village of El Chorro, this hike is one of the most spectacular and "out there" experiences you can have without moving into the world of technical climbing.

The Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, which houses the walkway, is 300 metres high in places and some sections are just 10 metres wide, giving it an other-worldly feel which makes it hard to believe that the wide plains and lakes of Andalusia are just around the corner.

The 1 metre wide walkway traverses along the side of the gorge at mid-height, making it exposed and exciting throughout.

It was built between 1901 and 1905 to enable workers to travel between 2 hydroelectric power stations which were at each end of the gorge, and also to facilitate inspection and maintenance of the channel between the power stations.

It gained its name (Walkway of the King) in 1921 when King Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway for the inauguration of the Conde del Guadalhorce dam.

Over time the walkway deteriorated, making it increasingly fragile and dangerous to walk on.

Following 2 fatal accidents in in the late 1990's, the walkway became closed to the public but adventurous souls still found their way on to it and many illegal trips were made into the gorge every year.

After 4 more fatal accidents in the first 10 years of this century, it was decided by the local government that the walkway should be renovated and have a carpark and museum added to it.

The work was completed in March 2015 and this most stunning of locations is now accessible to any reasonably fit hiker who does not suffer from vertigo!