ahoyne9We arrived in Malaga late last night from Lisbon. We stayed at Hotel Zen Airport. I picked this place because it was close to the airport so I figured a taxi/uber would be reasonable and in the morning I needed to pick up the rental car. Seven-minute trip from the airport to the hotel and it was nearly €30.
Caminito Del Rey 07.01.2023
The main event of our trip to Spain was to complete the Caminito del Rey hike. I booked tickets in advance, here, tickets cost €10 for self-guided and €18 for guided visits. I read online the general admission tickets fill up fast, so try to book 8 weeks in advance when availability opens.
We did a guided tour, it was interesting but did take significantly longer than doing the tour yourself, in fact towards the end when we cross the bridge we left the tour so we could head out to our next adventure.
You can pre-pay for the shuttle bus when you buy your tickets, which I recommend and you can add parking as well. They provide a GPS coordinate for where to park but for some reason on google maps it sent me up the hill to the top, with a scenic overlook, the road was a dirt road and very narrow, do not recommend it. Park at the Caminito del Rey reception center instead. It is where the shuttle bus picks up then they drive you up the hill, you get off and walk for about 20 minutes down the entrance.
The Caminito del Rey was originally built as a maintenance walkway for workers to access the hydroelectric power plants in the area. Over time, it fell into disrepair and became known as one of the world’s most dangerous hiking trails due to its deteriorated state. However, in recent years, the trail has been restored and revamped to meet safety standards while preserving its unique character.
The best part is towards the end when you get to cross a swinging bridge. Then walk back down to a small town that has cafes and restaurants. From there you take the city bus back to the main reception center.
Ronda, Spain 07.01.2023
Decided to make a few hour pit stop in Ronda to see the famous rock bridge. The drive from Caminito del Rey to Ronda takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, covering approximately 80 kilometers (50 miles) through picturesque Andalusian countryside. The route offers scenic views of rolling hills and valleys, with some winding roads. This drive is a pleasant journey showcasing the natural beauty of southern Spain, with opportunities to enjoy the serene landscape and local architecture.
I made a mistake in our trip to Spain and definitely should have spent a night in Ronda, a very charming town with a lot of character. People were very friendly as well. The main event was the Puente Nuevo
“New Bridge,” completed in 1793. The bridge spans the El Tajo Gorge and connects the old and new parts of Ronda. The bridge is 98 meters (320 feet) above the gorge and 30 meters (98 feet) wide.
We ended the day driving to Algeciras, the drive from Ronda to Algeciras covers approximately 120 kilometers (75 miles) and takes around 1.5 hours. We had initially planned to take the ferry over to Morocco, but a few weeks out from our trip the ferry was cancelled. So tomorrow we plan to spend the day in Gibraltar.
Cheers!