Experience the Original Caminito del Rey – Before Restoration
Before its restoration, the Caminito del Rey was a very different place. Large sections of the old walkway had deteriorated, with missing railings, damaged concrete and exposed beams above the Gaitanes Gorge.
This famous video, filmed by climber and adventurer Daniel Ahnen, gives a remarkable view of the old Caminito before the restoration. It shows just how exposed some sections of the original walkway were and helps explain the extraordinary reputation the path gained before it was closed and eventually rebuilt.
If you suffer from vertigo, you may want to watch this one from a safe distance!
A Tribute to Daniel Ahnen and the Spirit of Adventure
Daniel Ahnen was a German climber and adventurer who filmed this remarkable footage of the old Caminito del Rey. At the time, the walkway had already fallen into a seriously deteriorated state and was officially closed, making the video an extraordinary record of what the gorge and its old pathways looked like before the restoration.
Daniel later died in a mountaineering accident in the Himalayas in 2011. His Caminito del Rey footage has lived on, giving viewers around the world a rare glimpse of the walkway before it was rebuilt.
Today, the contrast is remarkable. The modern Caminito del Rey is a managed visitor attraction with a completely different level of infrastructure and safety. Watching Daniel’s footage is perhaps the best way to appreciate just how much the Caminito has changed.
Plan your visit to the Caminito del Rey
Learn more about the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park
Discover the Ardales Cave and its prehistoric art
Planning to visit the modern Caminito del Rey?
If watching the old Caminito has made you want to see the gorge for yourself, you can book tickets and guided tours through GetYourGuide. The modern Caminito is a very different experience from the dangerous walkway shown in Daniel Ahnen’s video, with a restored route and controlled visitor access.
A quick Q and A about the video and the Caminito del Rey
The video was filmed in the late 2000s, before the Caminito del Rey was restored. At the time, large sections of the old walkway had deteriorated badly and the route was officially closed to the public. The restoration was completed several years later, with the new Caminito del Rey opening to visitors in 2015.
Daniel Ahnen was a climber and adventurer who filmed this famous footage of the old Caminito del Rey. He later died in a mountaineering accident in the Himalayas in 2011. His footage remains one of the best-known records of the Caminito before its restoration.
No. The old, deteriorated Caminito del Rey is not open to visitors. The route was closed after a series of fatal accidents, and the Caminito was subsequently restored and reopened in 2015. Accessing the old sections by climbing around the official entrances is prohibited and can result in a substantial fine.
The modern Caminito del Rey is much more than the old walkway seen in the video. The section between the two official walkway gates is 2,955 metres, including 1,550 metres of walkways and 1,405 metres of paths and tracks. Allow around 3–4 hours for the complete visit, including the access routes to and from the walkways.
Yes. Guided tours of the modern Caminito del Rey are available, and some include transport to and from the area. A guide can also add historical and geological context to the walk. If you are planning your visit, you can find out how to book your Caminito del Rey tickets here.
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!
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