Easter is just around the corner, so if you are lucky enough to have vacations during these days you better start planning them. Without a doubt, one of the best options is to make a getaway to any corner of Spain, which is full of interesting places.
Today, for example, we want to talk to you about the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Natural Park, a canyon excavated by the Guadalhorce River located in the province of Malaga that surprises for the beauty of its surroundings, for its geomorphological interest and, of course, for the Caminito del King. We will tell you about this impressive gorge and the vertiginous Caminito del Rey below!
The gorge
As we were telling you, the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes is a gorge opened by the Guadalhorce located in a place known as El Chorro. The result of the river passing through the Jurassic limestones and dolomites has resulted in an impressive canyon about three kilometers long, reaching the municipal terms of Antequera and Ardales. It has a minimum width of 10 meters and a maximum height of about 300 meters, although at some points it reaches a depth of 700 meters.
Geomorphological importance
As we have mentioned before, this place has a great geomorphological value, since in this canyon you can find rocks of different origin and age, giving rise to curious geological formations, among which are numerous caves and chasms. In fact, it is estimated that there are about 20 cavities that have great geological and archaeological importance, having found samples of rock art.
Flora and fauna
Beyond the rocks and caves, it must be taken into account that this place also has an ecological value. And it is that on the walls we can see both animal and plant life. Regarding the flora, we can highlight species such as Aleppo pine, holm oak, eucalyptus, black juniper, stone-tree, rockrose, hawthorn, gorse and white steppe, while from the animal kingdom the birds of prey stand out, among which we find the Bonelli’s eagle, the peregrine falcon and eagle owl. Other animals present in this place are mountain goats, blackbirds, swifts, kestrels, goshawks, medium-sized raptors, griffon vultures, wildcats, genets, dormouse and mongoose.
Caminito del Rey
Of course, if we have to highlight something about this impressive place, it is the Caminito del Rey, a pass hanging from the mountain wall that in some sections is very vertiginous. And we are talking about pieces of no more than one meter wide located about 100 meters high. Although this road has been closed for a long time because it is considered dangerous, it will reopen at Easter, as it has undergone a major rehabilitation process. The total route is 7.7 kilometers, of which 4.8 kilometers are accesses and 2.9 kilometers are walkways. Of course, you must bear in mind that it is a linear path, so each one must ensure for himself the return to the starting point, at least for the moment. And it seems that this situation could change in the coming months when infrastructures are improved, spaces are enabled to park cars or buses or minibuses are included.
If you want to request access to this natural area, which, by the way, is free, you must enter the website www.caminitodelrey.com. The funny thing is that since February 24, the day the page was put into operation, more than thirty thousand reservations have been received. Then we leave you with our gallery , where you will discover more images of the Gaitanes Gorge and the Caminito del Rey. Do not miss it!
