El Chorro
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El Chorro is a limestone gorge in Andalusia in southern Spain, through which passes the Guadalhorce river. It was dammed in 1921, forming three reservoirs which are flanked by pine forests.
It sits next to the 700m high Desfiladero de los Gaitanes pass, and is famous for the very dangerous path called Caminito del Rey (King's little pathway). The path took its name because it was officially opened by Alfonso XIII of Spain. However official access to the path was removed in 2000 after a tourist died trying to cross it. According to a tourist leaflet, four tourists died during the two years before the closure. There are now movements afoot (10/08) by the local council in Ardales to secure funding to restore the path although any work is not expected to happen before 2010 with completion maybe in 2012.
At present the walkway is accessible by climbers only (full protection gear recommended).
The gorge runs from the end of the embalse del Gaitanejo to El Chorro. There are two extremely narrow sections at each end of the gorge with a wider bowl in between. In addition to the, currently defunct, walkway the Malaga to Sevilla / Cordoba railway line runs through the gorge in a set of several tunnels, bridges and dams cutting through the gorge. It is possible, but illegal, to access parts of the gorge along and through the tunnels of the railway line from El Chorro.
It was used as a location for train scenes in the 1965 adventure film Von Ryan's Express.
The area is renowned as a popular rock climbing area in Europe, but is also very popular for mountain biking, hiking, and camping.
El Chorro is best known for its glorious water and outstanding views.
[edit] External links
- Video of walking the decrepit pathway in the pass
- El Makinodromo and El Chorro on planetmountain.com
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