Axarquia’s ‘Caminito Del Rey’ is seeing visitor numbers rise, but warning, it’s not for the faint hearted

Word is spreading fast about the walking route locals have nicknamed “El Caminito del Rey de la Axarquia” the mega trail with a swinging bridge and drops of 150 metres.

Numbers on the rise

Local tourism body APTA Axarquia reported a 3 per cent year-on-year rise in visitors to the wider region at the INTUR Viajeros travel fair, naming El Saltillo among the flagship attractions driving that growth. Mayor Vicente Campos has said on several occasions that the trail “attracts more visitors every year,” crediting it with fresh bars, guest houses and shops opening in the village to keep pace with demand. Weekend reports from recent years describe walkers arriving in their hundreds from Cordoba, Seville, Almeria and Granada.

Where the drama happens

Setting off from the upper streets near the El Pilar water spouts, walkers pass the Maria “la Chofa” viewpoint before tracking an old irrigation channel toward the Almercon reservoir. Drama builds gradually until the ravine finally opens up. Metal walkways bolted directly onto the rock face sit more than 150 metres above the Rio Almanchares gorge, according to local hiking guides, delivering views straight down into the canyon. Further along comes the showpiece: a suspension bridge roughly 54 metres long, crossing the ravine at around 70 metres up, ranked among Spain’s longest hanging footbridges, before the path continues toward Sedella along the Gran Senda de Malaga.

Definitely not one for the wobbly knees

Signage at the trailhead spells things out clearly: anyone prone to vertigo should avoid the route entirely, children under ten aren’t allowed on, and those aged ten to twelve must be accompanied and holding an adult’s hand.

Two main options exist. Shorter route to the walkways and natural pools runs roughly 7 kilometres and takes three to four hours, while the longer stretch toward the Los Pozuelos viewpoint near Sedella reaches 10 to 11 kilometres and up to five hours, with narrower, steeper sections near sheer drops. Canillas de Aceituno rewards a stop afterwards, roast kid goat, homemade black pudding and honey pastries. A fitting reward once your legs stop shaking.