Caminito del Rey

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Torrox_campo
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Torrox_campo » Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:41 am

Thank Gerry. Couple years ago we came to El Chorro when the sendero still closed and we walked a bit on the trail to the stop sign. Along the trail there were camping size and adventure business but they were all closed. I wonder whether these business return now that the route reopens.

Miro
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Miro » Mon Oct 26, 2015 12:47 pm

Due to go tomorrow. Anyone been up there in the last week or so, and if so, what's it been like? It's chucking it down here on the coast, so I'm thinking even if the rain eases up, it's probably pretty mucky on the walk through the woods to the northern checkpoint. Is it even worth us heading up there tomorrow, or is it likely to be closed? How nice it would be if they gave some information on such matters! :wink:
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wildside
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby wildside » Mon Oct 26, 2015 1:16 pm

Check the website first thing before you leave to go... The first image on the scrolling gallery at the top normally has an announcement if it's closed due to weather conditions,

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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Andalucia.com Editor » Sat Oct 31, 2015 3:27 pm

On 27th October Malaga press revealed what many on this forum had suspected that there is a secret parallel system for Caminito del rey tickets.

The town halls of Alora and Ardales have been each issued with 100 tickets a day, increased to 250 on 1st October. These tickets were given out at Ardales tourist office and given to local business on the justification of 'activating the economy'. The Diputacion de Malaga apears to have tolerated this system although it is forbiden in their own path's by-laws. They have stated that they are concerned about the negative image this gives the path althought they have not stopped issuing the town hall with these tickets.


Source
http://goo.gl/XUuTfu


and on a happier note

The original declared plan to construct a permanent visitors centre at each access has been moved into 'Phase 2' works by the Diputacion de Malaga (as announced on Oct 2nd 2015). As part of the 2016 budget of 1.2m € a tunnel and a waterfall will be added. The tunnel will be constructed from the north access point up to the bridge (making use of the original aqueduct tunnel) and including some view points. This initiative is to keep the path open to visitors during high winds. The other project is to reopen the original hydroelectric overflow spillway to recreate a spectacular 100m waterfall.

Miro
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Miro » Fri Dec 18, 2015 10:26 am

There are a few dates available in January & February to book now, while it's still free!
https://reservas.caminitodelrey.info/?l=en
:thumbup:
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gerryh
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby gerryh » Fri Dec 18, 2015 11:08 am

Hi Miro
Thanks for the post.
Just booked another visit for February :thumbup:
Cheers
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IreneD
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby IreneD » Fri Dec 18, 2015 7:35 pm

Four of us did the walk a couple of weeks ago. It was fantastic and we plan to go again some time. We parked at the information point next to the El Mirador de Ardales restaurant. The cost was 2 euros. There is a tunnel to the left of the parking area, on the opposite side of the road, which took us to the start of the walk - it didn't take us long going by this route, maybe 15 minutes from parking. It was quite funny, as the tunnel was pitch black and we kept bumping into each other. We could see daylight about 1.5 km ahead so knew we were OK :D

Hope that helps. Oh and the bus from the South end, the finish of the walk, did stop at the Mirador, so we didn't have to walk from El Kiosko, as we assumed. We had a meal at The Mirador prior to the drive home, which was very nice. The restaurant is great, can recommend, very picturesque and 'Spanish'.

Miro
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Miro » Wed Jan 06, 2016 3:43 pm

Interesting that there seems to be no mention of the access route from El Mirador on the official website. Is this the route that brings you down to the checkpoint via the wide gravel road used by official vehicles? I've been wondering how / where you get onto that, to avoid the treck through the woods from El Kiosko.
Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often

"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative," Mordecai Siegal 1935-2010.

wildside
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby wildside » Wed Jan 06, 2016 11:10 pm

Yep, you can park at the mirador area up the track from the mirador bar,,, and walk down the track to the checkpoint.....

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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby scotty » Thu Jan 07, 2016 12:33 am

Well I arrive on Feb 3rd and leave on the 8th. It appears there are no openings for the walk in February at all.

Miro
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Miro » Tue Jan 19, 2016 5:13 pm

Just come back from our second "caminito".
I can confirm that you can park up the track past the Mirador restaurant (for free) and it's an easy downhill 15-20 minute stroll to the access point, even though it's not actually signposted from there. The walk along the river from El Kiosko is perhaps prettier, but a bit harder and takes a good bit longer.
The toilets at the north access point were out of order :thumbdown:
Being coast dwellers, we were surprised how cool it was at 10:00 up there - about 7°C. It warmed up plenty during our walk, but it was a totally different experience from when we went in May at near on 40° - much pleasanter! I know it's currently impossible to pick and choose when you go, but I strongly recommend sticking to the cooler months if you have a choice.
Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often

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andalucia
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby andalucia » Thu Jan 28, 2016 10:55 pm

Hi there,
Tickets are currently available for weekdays in the month of March including Semana Santa. Link on Andalucia.com page about the Camino to the official website.
http://www.andalucia.com/province/malag ... el-rey.htm

Miro
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Miro » Thu Jan 28, 2016 11:28 pm

A report in today's EWN says the running of El Caminito is to be put out to tender from April, but seems to suggest there won't be many interested parties. It says there will be an annual payment of €75,000 to the council which will be used for maintenance, plus a further 9% of turnover to be used for maintenance. Ticket prices will be limited to a maximum €10, and the number of visitors limited to 300,000 pa. By my rough calculations, that allows for a potential gross profit of at least €2.5
Why wouldn't a company (which must have a current turnover of at least €750,000) be interested? Am I missing something, or should we expect this wonderful attraction to soon fall into disrepair and be closed for another 100 years? :?
Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often

"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative," Mordecai Siegal 1935-2010.

wildside
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby wildside » Fri Jan 29, 2016 8:19 am

Hi all, I translated the official Diputación announcement from last week....

http://www.caminodelrey.es/the-maximum- ... rs-a-year/

When you look at the potential overheads, the amount of staff needed etc 2.5million might not be enough.... Even Sando turned the offer to run the Caminito down after they completed the renovation.

Shadowkillaz
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Shadowkillaz » Fri Jan 29, 2016 11:50 am

What an amazing cliffs. This is worth to see live. :)

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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby ashtondav » Wed Feb 03, 2016 5:30 pm

Crap website. Can't book more than two months ahead. Also although the site shows as booked local agents and hotels are providing tickets - I guess they get a "special allocation"!

Miro
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Miro » Wed Feb 03, 2016 5:37 pm

You can't book beyond March because nobody knows who's going to be running it, or how much they'll be charging. Perhaps it will just close.
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby scotty » Thu Feb 04, 2016 9:20 am

Got my passes for tomorrow to do the walk. Really looking forward to it.

Miro
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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby Miro » Sat Mar 19, 2016 11:55 am

Less than 2 weeks left. WTF is happening? Is one of the best new tourist attractions for years going to just quietly disappear? :shock:
Don't worry about what people think, they don't do it very often

"Acquiring a dog may be the only opportunity a human ever has to choose a relative," Mordecai Siegal 1935-2010.

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Re: Caminito del Rey

Postby wollie » Sat Mar 19, 2016 12:19 pm

does anyone know when tickets available for april/may? I did not realize there was threat of closure and I not want to not see...


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