Caminito del Rey

Description

The project of the “Caminito del Rey” path summarizes all the different disciplines involved in the understanding of Architecture.   It has been necessary to elaborate an environmental project, special planning, urban development and also a final design project in order to build both the pathway above the cliffs and the out buildings for the security boxes and reception centers.It is located in the centre of the province of Malaga, between the municipalities of Ardales, Álora and Antequera. The aim of the project is to restore the “Caminito del Rey” path which is a narrow pass built at the turn of the 20th century to give workers access from the Conde de Guadalhorce dam to the hydro-electric plant at El Chorro. Apart from its functionality, very soon after its construction it started to be part of everyday life for local people from El Chorro and surrounding villages. As an example, children got to use it as it was the easiest way to reach school by the swamp.The total length of the route is 7.7 km, divided into 4.8 km long access ways and 1.9 km long boardwalks, the most famous part of the trail, which comprises up to 100 meter high sheer faces over impressive gorges made by the Guadalhorce River.Once lost its former industrial importance the path was in danger of disappearing. This short but impressive communication route lay derelict and destroyed by nature and disreputable citizens.  Recovery of the trail is not only important as a visitor attraction but also for the visitors who come to Gaitanes because it is part of history.  From the path you will admire the stunning views, anthropology treasures, industrial archaeology or wild life. The goal has been achieved to the mimetic construction system with scarps that fit the vertical topography, as if a living being climbs the rocks, in absolute harmony with nature.The Path is the first stage in a special urban plan that schedules different investments in order to control the possible human impact on the environment and contributes to economic growth and improving of living standards in the region.The cost of the whole of the whole project was 2,7 M €. We can consider that we have recovered a space, private in recent years for thrill-seekers that like high risk sports.This is a unique place of undoubted anthropological, archaeological, landscape and wild life beauty. The conservation of the old path as industrial archaeology and the construction system of the new walkway minimizes the environmental impact. These are the reasons that make the project, Caminito del Rey, dignity of an exceptional heritage site in all of Europe.(Description provided by the architects)