Book now to visit the King’s Walkway

VISITS to one of the most impressive mountain trails in the world are soon to be possible for the first time in 15 years.

Intensive work to make the Caminito del Rey (King’s Walkway) in El Chorro safe for walkers is reaching an end, after the trail was closed in 2000 due to the excessive number of accidents that occurred on the route.

Malaga Provincial Council has launched a website allowing those who wish to visit the thrilling walkway between Alora and Ardales to book online.

Elias Bendodo, head of the provincial council, announced that visits, which must be booked in advance, will be free for at least the first six months following the official opening of the walkway on March 28.

Bookings can be made at www.caminitodelrey.info two months beforehand, and are limited to five tickets per person.

Due to the limited space on the walkway, booking is obligatory and groups of 50 people will be allowed to enter at half-hour intervals with an initial maximum of 600 visitors per day permitted.

Bendodo explained that although there are no particular limits for elderly people or those suffering certain illnesses, the walkway has special conditions and visitors will need to use common sense.

Children under the age of eight will not be allowed to visit, and the walkway will remain closed when wind speeds pass 35 kilometres per hour for safety reasons.

Visitors will have to wear helmets (provided free of charge) and smoking, giving children piggybacks and use of umbrellas will be forbidden.

The walkway will open from 10am to 2pm in winter months and 10am to 5pm in the summer, and will be closed on Mondays.