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Hi All,
I'm thinking about heading out to El Chorro at Easter, but have been hearing rumours that that Caminito del Rey is closed. Is this correct or is it still ok to do it? The rockfax page ( http://www.rockfax.com/areas/el-chorro/access.html ) doesn't say anything about it being closed, has anyone done it recently that could reassure me so it won't be a wasted trip!
Also what is the situation with the railway tunnels, are they still stopping people from getting through them by posting guards etc?
Cheers!
Mark
I'm thinking about heading out to El Chorro at Easter, but have been hearing rumours that that Caminito del Rey is closed. Is this correct or is it still ok to do it? The rockfax page ( http://www.rockfax.com/areas/el-chorro/access.html ) doesn't say anything about it being closed, has anyone done it recently that could reassure me so it won't be a wasted trip!
Also what is the situation with the railway tunnels, are they still stopping people from getting through them by posting guards etc?
Cheers!
Mark
In reply to mvr:
It is always officially "closed" but it didn't stop me or hundreds of others in the last few years.
Essentially the Camino is complete in all but a few areas that need you to traverse the rock because either the local council (?) blew it up or it was too old and fell down (most is perfectly safe, but beware!).
The first section is the worst, and can be bypassed by going through the train tunnels to the east, however you need to watchout for the police who occasionally hang around near the tunnels (the worst you'll get really is a talking to and stopped from going through. From the other end of the gorge there was a locked metal gate that we got round pretty easily iirc.
Really though there is plenty of good climbing outside the main gorge to have a go at anyway. e.g. Escalades el arab etc
Hope you enjoy your trip
It is always officially "closed" but it didn't stop me or hundreds of others in the last few years.
Essentially the Camino is complete in all but a few areas that need you to traverse the rock because either the local council (?) blew it up or it was too old and fell down (most is perfectly safe, but beware!).
The first section is the worst, and can be bypassed by going through the train tunnels to the east, however you need to watchout for the police who occasionally hang around near the tunnels (the worst you'll get really is a talking to and stopped from going through. From the other end of the gorge there was a locked metal gate that we got round pretty easily iirc.
Really though there is plenty of good climbing outside the main gorge to have a go at anyway. e.g. Escalades el arab etc
Hope you enjoy your trip
In reply to balmybaldwin:
yes the first 10 metres at the Lower end were removed to stop unprepared crazies getting on it in their quest for Darwin award nominations : )
There are many local stories.
Chorro is worth the visit just for the walkway
yes the first 10 metres at the Lower end were removed to stop unprepared crazies getting on it in their quest for Darwin award nominations : )
There are many local stories.
Chorro is worth the visit just for the walkway
In reply to mvr: There are alternative paths which avoid walking through the tunnels. The first section of the walkway is missing but can be bypassed by traversing beneath it and then climbing upwards to meet it. I believe that this is bolt-protected.
Also, the majority of routes in the area do not need to be approached via the walkway.
Also, the majority of routes in the area do not need to be approached via the walkway.
In reply to GeoffRadcliffe:
Went there for a short trip last month. A fantastic experience, We took a 60m rope, which allowed us to abseil down to get off the walkway rather than retrace our steps down the protected scramble which was the way up. It is easy to stay away from the prohibited bit, namely the railway line.
The locals were buzzing with the stories of (a) some mad guy who had done it on a mountain bike earlier in the year and (b) someone else a few days before we arrived who lost his bottle halfway and was stuck out there for a day or two before being found and rescued (the caminito was quiet because the weather was a bit miserable).
Went there for a short trip last month. A fantastic experience, We took a 60m rope, which allowed us to abseil down to get off the walkway rather than retrace our steps down the protected scramble which was the way up. It is easy to stay away from the prohibited bit, namely the railway line.
The locals were buzzing with the stories of (a) some mad guy who had done it on a mountain bike earlier in the year and (b) someone else a few days before we arrived who lost his bottle halfway and was stuck out there for a day or two before being found and rescued (the caminito was quiet because the weather was a bit miserable).
In reply to mvr: I'd second the suggestion to take a 60m rope so you can abseil off on the way back, plus there's a lot of ~30m routes in the area anyway.
Did it a few weeks ago - the Caminito is a great experience - feels a lot scarier than it is at first, just be sensible. We passed one guy genuinely shaking in fear, but also passed a 13 year old girl (with parents) strolling along it confidently and not clipped in :S
Did it a few weeks ago - the Caminito is a great experience - feels a lot scarier than it is at first, just be sensible. We passed one guy genuinely shaking in fear, but also passed a 13 year old girl (with parents) strolling along it confidently and not clipped in :S
In reply to johnpuddephatt:
ive seen families picnicing on the catwalk since they via ferrata'd it. Really quite busy sometimes. Non climbers sometimes get guided along it too.
It might be terrifying for non climbers but any climber will find its via ferrata length absolutely sound.
Before its via ferrata days it was quite scary in a high wind esp coming round that corner under Recordo. That bit was often completed on hands and knees in jibber mode : )
ive seen families picnicing on the catwalk since they via ferrata'd it. Really quite busy sometimes. Non climbers sometimes get guided along it too.
It might be terrifying for non climbers but any climber will find its via ferrata length absolutely sound.
Before its via ferrata days it was quite scary in a high wind esp coming round that corner under Recordo. That bit was often completed on hands and knees in jibber mode : )
In reply to mvr:
It was open on the 14th December, when I did it last (as it was the 39 other times I went on it last year!).
Just be aware that it is not 'officially' closed. Access is merely restricted to those that have the correct equipment to access it; climbers usually have what it needs to get on it and traverse it. The government of Andalucia have made it difficult to get on it, but have not stopped anyone from doing so, the "information" sign on the way up to it says that "it is intransible and that there is a grave risk", and it says "don't pass, thank you". The local area relys on it being accessible for climbers as they contibute to the local economy. The company that erected it in 1901-1905 still actually own it, andthey have confirmed that they do not an issue with climbers using to access the climbing areas. The difficulty accessing it is to stop Joe Bloggs from easily walking on to it and then falling off.
You can walk the railway lines if you choose too, but there is a hefty fine if you get caught. I have seen the authorities many times patrolling the lines, as well as seen a few people get caught as well.
ES
It was open on the 14th December, when I did it last (as it was the 39 other times I went on it last year!).
Just be aware that it is not 'officially' closed. Access is merely restricted to those that have the correct equipment to access it; climbers usually have what it needs to get on it and traverse it. The government of Andalucia have made it difficult to get on it, but have not stopped anyone from doing so, the "information" sign on the way up to it says that "it is intransible and that there is a grave risk", and it says "don't pass, thank you". The local area relys on it being accessible for climbers as they contibute to the local economy. The company that erected it in 1901-1905 still actually own it, andthey have confirmed that they do not an issue with climbers using to access the climbing areas. The difficulty accessing it is to stop Joe Bloggs from easily walking on to it and then falling off.
You can walk the railway lines if you choose too, but there is a hefty fine if you get caught. I have seen the authorities many times patrolling the lines, as well as seen a few people get caught as well.
ES
In reply to balmybaldwin:
> ... however you need to watchout for the police who occasionally hang around near the tunnels (the worst you'll get really is a talking to and stopped from going through.
>
A friend of mine got detained by the police for a few hours (along with a dozen or so others) and got quite a nasty grilling from them. Some were actually arested.>
In reply to GeoffRadcliffe:
Its protected by large metal spikes which you can monkey across on.
In reply to the OP:
Its also worth mentioning that most of the Camino (at least in the lower gorge) is protected by Via Ferrata cable, so the danger element is virtually non-existant for those in the know. The upper gorge is well worth a visit, many don't bother. The gorge gets so narrow, you can step across it onto another (wild!) Via Feratta which I've explored some of. Not sure whether its maintained...
> (In reply to mvr) There are alternative paths which avoid walking through the tunnels. The first section of the walkway is missing but can be bypassed by traversing beneath it and then climbing upwards to meet it. I believe that this is bolt-protected.
>
> Also, the majority of routes in the area do not need to be approached via the walkway.
>
> Also, the majority of routes in the area do not need to be approached via the walkway.
Its protected by large metal spikes which you can monkey across on.
In reply to the OP:
Its also worth mentioning that most of the Camino (at least in the lower gorge) is protected by Via Ferrata cable, so the danger element is virtually non-existant for those in the know. The upper gorge is well worth a visit, many don't bother. The gorge gets so narrow, you can step across it onto another (wild!) Via Feratta which I've explored some of. Not sure whether its maintained...
cool, thankyou all for the reassuring info. It sounds like I have been misinformed about it being closed. Although, maybe "discouraged" for tourists without climbing kit etc.
woo hoo, rock on easter!! those royals are good for something after all...
woo hoo, rock on easter!! those royals are good for something after all...
In reply to mvr:
Hey Mark
Check this dude out:
youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDhRvvs5Xw&
My challenge to you is to beat this guys time...
Cheers Dave
Hey Mark
Check this dude out:
youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDhRvvs5Xw&
My challenge to you is to beat this guys time...
Cheers Dave
In reply to BALD EAGLE:
Not exactly the hardest challenge that.
> (In reply to mvr)
>
> Hey Mark
> Check this dude out:
> youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDhRvvs5Xw&
> My challenge to you is to beat this guys time...
> Cheers Dave
>
> Hey Mark
> Check this dude out:
> youtube.com/watch?v=ZmDhRvvs5Xw&
> My challenge to you is to beat this guys time...
> Cheers Dave
Not exactly the hardest challenge that.
In reply to BALD EAGLE:
Brings back memories! Remember being quite excited at the section with gaping holes in the walkway!
Has this guy got excellent balance and a cool head or what??!!
Brings back memories! Remember being quite excited at the section with gaping holes in the walkway!
Has this guy got excellent balance and a cool head or what??!!
In reply to pec:
Don't go through the tunnels...
I was there in November, some people were accessing it via the tunnels. It's stupidly dangerous - it's a moderately busy singletrack railway, if a train comes there may not be much room to get out of the way, and really the tunnel access route is only needed if you're unable to do a straightforward scramble with a load of metalwork to clip to. If you're a climber, getting onto the walkway via the direct route from below is trivial.
Here's a diagram I made detailing the approach: http://www.sarahlizzy.com/CaminoApproach_small.jpg
It takes about 5 minutes, and does not involve risking your life in railway tunnels or having to then cross the gorge at the far end.
Don't go through the tunnels...
I was there in November, some people were accessing it via the tunnels. It's stupidly dangerous - it's a moderately busy singletrack railway, if a train comes there may not be much room to get out of the way, and really the tunnel access route is only needed if you're unable to do a straightforward scramble with a load of metalwork to clip to. If you're a climber, getting onto the walkway via the direct route from below is trivial.
Here's a diagram I made detailing the approach: http://www.sarahlizzy.com/CaminoApproach_small.jpg
It takes about 5 minutes, and does not involve risking your life in railway tunnels or having to then cross the gorge at the far end.
In reply to sarahlizzy:
The tunels are perfectly safe - the trains go slowly and there is absolutely bags of room either side of the track in the tunnels to stand aside. Having said that you have to do the walkway once just for the experience.
The tunels are perfectly safe - the trains go slowly and there is absolutely bags of room either side of the track in the tunnels to stand aside. Having said that you have to do the walkway once just for the experience.
In reply to sarahlizzy: Naaa, i've walked through those tunnels countless times, had a train go past me three or four times in total. As long as you're sensible its fine, you can hear the tracks shake a bit before the train turns up. We just stood to the side, it went no where near us
In reply to mvr:
The Rockfax page is up to date.
The tunnels are banned but many still use them. They do get patrolled though but only at weekends and holidays.
Alan
The Rockfax page is up to date.
The tunnels are banned but many still use them. They do get patrolled though but only at weekends and holidays.
Alan
In reply to GrahamD:
Yep seconded the tunnels are fine if you use a bit of common sense.
Mark-I would recommend doing the Camino Del Ray, then cross the river as long as not in full spate, and then head to Los Cotos for some good sunny slab climbing for the rest of your day.
http://www.rockfax.com/databases/results_crag.html?id=507
Then just use the tunnel to walk back (takes about 15 minutes) to the village. Enjoy!
Yep seconded the tunnels are fine if you use a bit of common sense.
Mark-I would recommend doing the Camino Del Ray, then cross the river as long as not in full spate, and then head to Los Cotos for some good sunny slab climbing for the rest of your day.
http://www.rockfax.com/databases/results_crag.html?id=507
Then just use the tunnel to walk back (takes about 15 minutes) to the village. Enjoy!
In reply to GrahamD:
Not all the trains go slowly. There is an express train that occasionally goes through and it is very fast!
> (In reply to sarahlizzy)
>
> The tunels are perfectly safe - the trains go slowly and there is absolutely bags of room either side of the track in the tunnels to stand aside.
>
> The tunels are perfectly safe - the trains go slowly and there is absolutely bags of room either side of the track in the tunnels to stand aside.
Not all the trains go slowly. There is an express train that occasionally goes through and it is very fast!
In reply to GeoffRadcliffe:
Quite. I saw a couple going at some considerable tilt!
But seriously, why even bother going through the tunnels? The direct access route is shorter, involves no trains, and doesn't risk arrest. All it involves is a protected scramble which is utterly trivial for anyone who has done any outdoor climbing ever. For goodness sake, this is a climbing forum and we have people advocating trespassing on a live railway line and walking a mile out of your way in order to avoid a 2 minute mickey mouse scramble!
> (In reply to GrahamD)
> [...]
>
> Not all the trains go slowly. There is an express train that occasionally goes through and it is very fast!
> [...]
>
> Not all the trains go slowly. There is an express train that occasionally goes through and it is very fast!
Quite. I saw a couple going at some considerable tilt!
But seriously, why even bother going through the tunnels? The direct access route is shorter, involves no trains, and doesn't risk arrest. All it involves is a protected scramble which is utterly trivial for anyone who has done any outdoor climbing ever. For goodness sake, this is a climbing forum and we have people advocating trespassing on a live railway line and walking a mile out of your way in order to avoid a 2 minute mickey mouse scramble!
In reply to sarahlizzy:
How is the Walkway shorter than the tunnels? It takes two or three times as long to reach Los Cotos and El Polverin. I do agree that the tunnels are a bit dangerous mind.
Chris
How is the Walkway shorter than the tunnels? It takes two or three times as long to reach Los Cotos and El Polverin. I do agree that the tunnels are a bit dangerous mind.
Chris
In reply to Chris Craggs:
The OP is asking about the walkway itself - the scramble is a much shorter route to access it than the tunnels.
> (In reply to sarahlizzy)
>
> How is the Walkway shorter than the tunnels? It takes two or three times as long to reach Los Cotos and El Polverin. I do agree that the tunnels are a bit dangerous mind.
>
> How is the Walkway shorter than the tunnels? It takes two or three times as long to reach Los Cotos and El Polverin. I do agree that the tunnels are a bit dangerous mind.
The OP is asking about the walkway itself - the scramble is a much shorter route to access it than the tunnels.
In reply to sarahlizzy:
>For goodness sake, this is a climbing forum and we have people advocating trespassing on a live railway line and walking a mile out of your way in order to avoid a 2 minute mickey mouse scramble!
Having done the Kings walkway 3 times with various groups, it takes most folks, depending on ability, photo taking etc, anywhere up to 2 hours to start and finish the Camino del ray, with about another 30 minutes or so to descend,cross the river and climb up to reach Los Cotos if intending to climb. Are you telling me you took 2 minutes to complete the Camino del ray? If so you are Wonder Woman in disguise...
>For goodness sake, this is a climbing forum and we have people advocating trespassing on a live railway line and walking a mile out of your way in order to avoid a 2 minute mickey mouse scramble!
Having done the Kings walkway 3 times with various groups, it takes most folks, depending on ability, photo taking etc, anywhere up to 2 hours to start and finish the Camino del ray, with about another 30 minutes or so to descend,cross the river and climb up to reach Los Cotos if intending to climb. Are you telling me you took 2 minutes to complete the Camino del ray? If so you are Wonder Woman in disguise...
In reply to sarahlizzy:
How can you access the King's Way from the tunnels - they are on opposite sides of the valley?
Chris
How can you access the King's Way from the tunnels - they are on opposite sides of the valley?
Chris
In reply to BALD EAGLE:
I'm telling you it took me two minutes to do the approach scramble, because I didn't engage in the ancient Darwinian sport of train dodging.
> (In reply to sarahlizzy)
> >For goodness sake, this is a climbing forum and we have people advocating trespassing on a live railway line and walking a mile out of your way in order to avoid a 2 minute mickey mouse scramble!
>
> Having done the Kings walkway 3 times with various groups, it takes most folks, depending on ability, photo taking etc, anywhere up to 2 hours to start and finish the Camino del ray, with about another 30 minutes or so to descend,cross the river and climb up to reach Los Cotos if intending to climb. Are you telling me you took 2 minutes to complete the Camino del ray? If so you are Wonder Woman in disguise...
> >For goodness sake, this is a climbing forum and we have people advocating trespassing on a live railway line and walking a mile out of your way in order to avoid a 2 minute mickey mouse scramble!
>
> Having done the Kings walkway 3 times with various groups, it takes most folks, depending on ability, photo taking etc, anywhere up to 2 hours to start and finish the Camino del ray, with about another 30 minutes or so to descend,cross the river and climb up to reach Los Cotos if intending to climb. Are you telling me you took 2 minutes to complete the Camino del ray? If so you are Wonder Woman in disguise...
I'm telling you it took me two minutes to do the approach scramble, because I didn't engage in the ancient Darwinian sport of train dodging.
In reply to Chris Craggs:
I believe those who engage in such muppetry walk through the tunnels into the valley then scramble down to the river, cross it, and scramble back up and then access the walkway from the other end.
> (In reply to sarahlizzy)
>
> How can you access the King's Way from the tunnels - they are on opposite sides of the valley?
>
> How can you access the King's Way from the tunnels - they are on opposite sides of the valley?
I believe those who engage in such muppetry walk through the tunnels into the valley then scramble down to the river, cross it, and scramble back up and then access the walkway from the other end.
In reply to sarahlizzy:
Ok you took 2 minutes to do the approach scramble, as shown on your topo I presume: http://www.sarahlizzy.com/CaminoApproach_small.jpg
That takes you onto the beginning of the walkway itself, so how long did it then take you to get to the end of the walkway? As Chris rightly states (incidentally he has been to El Chorro a bit over the years it takes way longer to access Los Cotos and El Polvorin via the walkway as opposed to the tunnel...
> (In reply to BALD EAGLE)
> I'm telling you it took me two minutes to do the approach scramble, because I didn't engage in the ancient Darwinian sport of train dodging.
Ok you took 2 minutes to do the approach scramble, as shown on your topo I presume: http://www.sarahlizzy.com/CaminoApproach_small.jpg
That takes you onto the beginning of the walkway itself, so how long did it then take you to get to the end of the walkway? As Chris rightly states (incidentally he has been to El Chorro a bit over the years it takes way longer to access Los Cotos and El Polvorin via the walkway as opposed to the tunnel...
In reply to BALD EAGLE:
I don't remember how long it took me to get to the end, I spent plenty of time taking photos and exploring. However, since the OP was asking about accessing the walkway itself and not any climbs at the far end, that was the question I addressed.
> Ok you took 2 minutes to do the approach scramble, as shown on your topo I presume: http://www.sarahlizzy.com/CaminoApproach_small.jpg
> That takes you onto the beginning of the walkway itself, so how long did it then take you to get to the end of the walkway? As Chris rightly states (incidentally he has been to El Chorro a bit over the years it takes way longer to access Los Cotos and El Polvorin via the walkway as opposed to the tunnel...
> That takes you onto the beginning of the walkway itself, so how long did it then take you to get to the end of the walkway? As Chris rightly states (incidentally he has been to El Chorro a bit over the years it takes way longer to access Los Cotos and El Polvorin via the walkway as opposed to the tunnel...
I don't remember how long it took me to get to the end, I spent plenty of time taking photos and exploring. However, since the OP was asking about accessing the walkway itself and not any climbs at the far end, that was the question I addressed.
In reply to sarahlizzy:
Erm all the OP asked was whether the walkway was closed or not. Mark did not enquire about accessing the walkway itself, if you check his original post. Also knowing the OP and his group rather well (I can see his office as I type) I suspect they will be very interested in climbing in Los Cotos after the walkway, hence my recommendation to him...
Erm all the OP asked was whether the walkway was closed or not. Mark did not enquire about accessing the walkway itself, if you check his original post. Also knowing the OP and his group rather well (I can see his office as I type) I suspect they will be very interested in climbing in Los Cotos after the walkway, hence my recommendation to him...
In reply to BALD EAGLE:
>I suspect they will be very interested in climbing in Los Cotos after the walkway, hence my recommendation to him...
I hope they enjoy climbing on very polished rock. The 'easy routes' don't seem that easy.
> (In reply to sarahlizzy)
>>I suspect they will be very interested in climbing in Los Cotos after the walkway, hence my recommendation to him...
I hope they enjoy climbing on very polished rock. The 'easy routes' don't seem that easy.
In reply to GeoffRadcliffe:
They are all from Bristol so the routes at Los Cotos have grit-like friction when compared to the Avon Gorge...
> (In reply to BALD EAGLE)
> I hope they enjoy climbing on very polished rock. The 'easy routes' don't seem that easy.
They are all from Bristol so the routes at Los Cotos have grit-like friction when compared to the Avon Gorge...
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