El Caminito del Rey, also known as “The King’s little pathway” in English, is an extremely dangerous walkway located on the steep walls of a gorge in El Chorro, Spain.
It was built in 1901 and took 4 years to complete. It was mainly used by workers at the hydroelectric power plant to move between the water falls, and to transport materials. The walkway was officially named in 1921 when King Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway for the inauguration of the dam.
The walkway rises about 100 meters above the river below, and is on average a mere one meter wide. It was constructed out of concrete resting on steel rails, anchored into the rock face. Today, the walkway is extensively deteriorated, with large sections of concrete missing. There is a safety wire anchored to the wall, but its strength is highly speculated on. In 2000, the local government closed both sides of the walkway after four people fell to their deaths in different incidents.
The regional government of Andalusia is busy restoring the walkway at a cost of almost €9 million, which will include car parking and a revamped shop. Most of the original sections of the walkway will be preserved, and the new walkway will incorporate many of the original designing features.
Crossing it, even when revamped, will definitely require nerves of steel!
Photo via Shockingnewz
Photo via Wikipedia
Photo via Wikipedia
Photo via MyTripsDiary
Photo via MyTripsDiary
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