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Date Published: 10/07/2024

Terrifying near miss for elderly hiker on Caminito del Rey, Malaga

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The hiker plunged down a slope and crashed into a tree, prompting a safety review of one of Andalucía’s most famous trails

Terrifying near miss for elderly hiker on Caminito del Rey, Malaga

The Caminito del Rey is a famous hiking trail that clings to the sheer walls of a gorge in El Chorro, near Ardales in Málaga. This historic walkway, hanging up to 100 metres above the ground, offers breathtaking views but also presents a unique set of challenges, as one 63-year-old hiker learned all too well this week.

On Tuesday July 9, emergency services rushed to the aid of the man who had fallen down a 20-metre slope and crashed into a tree. The incident, which occurred just before the entrance to the famous trail at around 3pm, prompted a call to the 112 Andalucía Emergency Health Service.

Given the hiker's condition and the difficult access to the area, he was swiftly airlifted to the Hospital Clínico de Málaga for treatment.

Each year, thousands of thrill-seekers try their hand at the Caminito del Rey and while it's described as only moderately challenging, the walk isn’t without its dangers.

The trail, approximately 3 kilometres long, winds through a narrow gorge and presents various hazards along the way, including steep drops and uneven terrain.

With this in mind, and given the fact that the hike is one of Malaga's main tourist attractions, efforts are being made to make the route is a lot safer. Researchers from various institutions, including the University of Granada and the University of Jaén, have conducted geological surveys to identify areas prone to landslides and other potential danger zones.

By creating a 3D digital twin of the space, they aim to pinpoint areas of risk and take preventive measures.

With this impressive technology, researchers have already been able to identify the points landslides are most likely and, using simulations, determine the possible size of the rocks, the speed of their fall and the possible impact on the walkway that allows passage through this rocky canyon.

In other news: British tourist plunges head-first from Mallorca balcony

Image: Archive

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