El Chorro: Canyon, Caminito del Rey and Climbing

El Chorro appeals to travelers who take rocky landscapes, trails, climbing and traces of history into account when choosing a destination. The Caminito del Rey ends in El Chorro (Álora). If you are looking for a hotel for a stay here, you can first consider whether landscape, historical use or a sporting activity should shape your stay.

Canyon, Cliffs and Vegetation

The Desfiladero de los Gaitanes has its southern entrance via El Chorro. The Guadalhorce River carved out the canyon; in some places, it is only 10 meters wide and reaches a depth of 700 meters. The cliffs in El Chorro can be up to 300 meters high. Width, depth and cliff height describe different dimensions of the landscape: they are not interchangeable measurements, but offer different perspectives on the natural environment. The surroundings of the Desfiladero include Aleppo pines, pines, holm oaks, eucalyptus trees and riverside vegetation. The landscape description therefore covers not only cliffs and canyon, but also trees and riverside areas.

Trails and Historical Traces

The Haza del Río trail offers panoramic views of the historic remains of the former 10th-century Mozarabic city of Bobastro. This view brings landscape and history together in a specific example. For travelers who want to include both in their trip planning, this trail differs from simply observing the canyon formations: here, the city remains take center stage.

The Caminito del Rey also has a technical history. Between 1901 and 1905, it was built as a service path connecting the Gaitanejo and Chorro hydroelectric plants. At the time, its function was to link these two plants. The history of the path thus complements descriptions of geology and vegetation with a look at hydropower and infrastructure.

Via Ferrata and Climbing

The Vía Ferrata El Chorro has several distinct features. The route is 650 meters long and has 250 meters of positive elevation gain. It includes a Tibetan bridge, a Nepalese bridge and an approximately 35-meter-long zip line. It also has a moderate K3 difficulty rating. Length and positive elevation gain are two different measurements; the bridges and zip line are additional elements of the via ferrata. As route conditions can change, check the operator’s current requirements before taking part.

Climbing in El Chorro is characterized mostly by technical, slightly overhanging walls; individual inclines can reach up to 90°. This description concerns climbing on the walls, while the information about bridges, the zip line and K3 describes the named via ferrata. If you are considering both activities when planning your trip, these provide two different points of reference rather than a general impression of mountain sports in El Chorro.

Discover more destinations: Pantano Del Chorro

Go to the main travel overview: Ardales.