Saturday, April 5, 2008

Caminito Del Rey

In 1921, King Alfonso XIII of Spain used a narrow walkway in the El Chorro gorge for the inauguration of the Conde Del Guadalhorce dam. The walkway then became known as 'The Kings Pathway', or Caminito Del Rey in Spanish. Finished in 1905, the walkway was originally built to enable access for workers maintaining irrigation channels across the gorge, between Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls.

The walkway has not been maintained for many years, and it is incredibly dangerous to use. The handrails are mostly gone, and in places the walkway is gone, leaving only narrow metal rails. After a number of deaths, the government officially closed the walkway, but tourists still find their way there; drawn by the incredible view, and perhaps a sense of thrill. This video is a chilling documentary of the Caminito Del Rey.

Found at Bits & Pieces.

Canyon paths on Whidbey Island.

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