If you’re looking for a hike that will really test your mettle, look no further than El Camino del Rey, located in the Malagan province of Spain. The trail, which means “king’s pathway” in English, was built as a means of connecting two hydroelectric power plants found on either side of two major waterfalls, towering about 350 feet above the river. At just over 3 feet wide, workers used this trail to transport supplies and perform maintenance on the channel. It has remained untouched since its completion in 1905, which has led to a highly deteriorated condition. Some parts of the concrete pathway have completely collapsed, leaving gaping holes and no other option but to cross the steel beams that support the path. A safety wire runs the entire length of the path, but not much else exists to ensure the security of brave hikers, a fact that has resulted in several fatal accidents and caused the local government to close both entrances to the trail, leaving hikers to enter at their own risk. The trail is currently in the midst of restoration, and is expected to be completed in 2014 with many of the original features intact. Check out this video of one courageous hiker’s journey along El Camino del Rey.
Image via lukasz dzierzanowski
