The Walkways of the Caminito del Rey – 3 km Above the Abyss

3 Kilometres of Wood. 400 Metres of Depth. No Way Back.

Around 3 of the total 7.7 kilometres of the Caminito del Rey run along wooden pasarelas – walkways drilled directly into the vertical limestone walls of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. They are 1.2 metres wide, secured with steel railings, and completely rebuilt during the 2015 restoration. Safe, stable, certified.

And yet: the moment one steps onto the first walkway, something shifts. Wood underfoot, railing in hand – and below, 200, 300, sometimes 400 metres of sheer rock before the river appears. This must be experienced firsthand.

3 kilometres of the Caminito del Rey run along wooden walkways
3 kilometres of the Caminito del Rey run along wooden walkways

Construction and design

The walkways were fully renewed during the 2011–2015 restoration. Steel anchors are embedded directly into the limestone; the planks are pressure-treated hardwood rated for continuous public use. A steel-mesh floor section in the central stretch offers a vertigo-inducing view directly downward.

Three walkway types on the route

Wall walkways (pasarelas de pared): The defining feature of the Caminito del Rey. Bolted into the vertical cliff face with nothing below. The exposure here is at its greatest – and so is the view.

Bridge walkways: Shorter sections spanning side gullies or minor ravines. More stable in feel than the wall walkways, but no less impressive.

Suspension bridge over the Guadalhorce: The highlight in the southern section. A full suspension bridge crosses the river – one of the most photographed moments on the entire route.

Suspension bridge over the Guadalhorce
Suspension bridge over the Guadalhorce

Heights: an honest assessment

On the Caminito del Rey, one is not standing at 400 metres altitude. The walkways run perhaps 50–100 metres above the riverbed – it is the gorge that has cut 400 metres into the rock.

For those with mild vertigo: the walkways are secure and wide enough. Looking straight ahead rather than down is entirely possible. Many visitors who started with reservations report afterwards that it was more manageable than expected.

For those with severe vertigo: honesty matters here. There is no way to bypass the exposed sections. No exit in the middle. No turning back.

The wooden walkways of the Caminito del Rey on the cliff face
The wooden walkways of the Caminito del Rey on the cliff face

Tips for the walkway sections

  • Walk at a steady pace – no time pressure, the route has no fixed speed
  • Use the railings, even without any sense of dizziness
  • On the walkways, keep distance and avoid crowding
  • Best photo spot: the mesh-floor section in the middle walkway stretch – nerve required
  • In wet weather: wooden planks can be slippery → sturdy footwear becomes even more important

Buying Tickets

Tickets can be purchased via the official website at caminitodelrey.info or through tour operators such as GetYourGuide.com – advance booking is strongly recommended, especially from March to October. Daily places are limited.