Bike
MTB
This Guy Rode the World's Most Dangerous Path
Mountain biker David Cachón shows us the way on the infamous Caminito del Rey walkway.
Spanish rider David Cachón was granted special permission to ride El Caminito del Rey, a breathtaking cliffside walkway in Malaga. With plenty of sheer drops, it's not for those who suffer from vertigo!
Watch above to see how Cachón tackled the world's most dangerous path and read below for his experience.
An unforgettable experience
© Fernando Marmolejo
Before getting into the history of the El Caminito del Rey,I think I should clarify an important point of this project so that no one gets the wrong idea — El Caminito del Rey cannot usually be ridden by bicycle. We were granted special permission by the company that manages the Caminito del Rey and Malaga Provincial Government to take these images and to tackle the walkway by bike.
Stunning scenes and scary sheer drops
© Fernando Marmolejo
Built into the side of the sheer walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, Málaga, Spain, the El Caminito del Rey walkway opened in 1905. It was built to allow workers at the hydroelectric power plants there to cross the gorge.
1.5km of pathways located 100m above the river
© Fernando Marmolejo
After many years of use and little maintenance, the path fell into disrepair, and was dubbed the "world's most dangerous path" after several people died trying to complete the route. It was closed in 2000 for restoration and reopened again in 2015.
My first visit here was just before the restoration began. At that time, the layout and paths were so bad, but I’d seen enough to tell myself I had to go back. Now I’ve returned to an almost new walkway that was safe and in great condition.
If the height doesn’t distract you, the views will
© Fernando Marmolejo
When I first ventured here years ago it was madness, but it is something I recommend for the sheer experience of it all. Crossing through a place like this you get to enjoy the beauty — although you may have to cover your eyes in some sections if you suffer from vertigo.
Getting air along the 8km route
© Fernando Marmolejo
The trail perches 328 feet above the river below and the total distance of the route is about 5 miles, of which 2.8 miles is access routes, 1 mile is walkways and .8 mile is trail.
Not a route for those scared of heights...
© Fernando Marmolejo
It wasn’t all rideable
© Fernando Marmolejo
It did get complicated at times. The average width of the path is one meter, but in some spots the handlebars were too big to fit straight through the gaps.
A climber’s paradise, but for today a biker’s too
© Fernando Marmolejo
