The Axarquía's own Caminito del Rey is ready to welcome walkers
The highlight of the renewed El Saltillo walkway, which opened on Monday, is the new suspension bridge, among the three longest in Spain
The highlight of the renewed El Saltillo walkway, which opened on Monday, is the new suspension bridge, among the three longest in Spain
The so-called 'Caminito del Rey of the Axarquía' was officially opened by the provincial government, Diputación, on Monday.
The path, which runs along a gorge between the municipalities of Canillas de Aceituno and Sedella, is the latest part of the Gran Senda (Great Trail) circle of walking routes around the province.
The walk's real name is El Saltillo and it begins in the central square of Canillas de Aceituno and covers eight kilometres (round trip), giving spectacular views of the Almanchares river.
The highlight of the route is the new suspension bridge, made of wood and steel, which at 50 metres is among the three longest in Spain.
The provincial government invested around 600,000 euros in the project, which the authority's president, Francisco Salado, has described as "a major new attraction" for the area.
Salado, alongside regional government spokesman Elías Bendodo, was present on Monday for its inauguration. Bendodo said that this project would "activate" inland, green tourism in the area and stressed that 400 local companies are involved in the project.
The mayor of Canillas de Aceituno, Vicente Campos (PP), said that it was an "important" day for the town and that is was a clear example that the Diputación "supports small towns and inland tourism".
The route, which is free to use, was built on an existing path but significant improvements have been made to increase safety and ease of use of the walkways, some of which are 100 metres above ground.
Source: Diario Sur