El Chorro: Canyon, Cliffs and Archaeological Sites

The Desfiladero de los Gaitanes has a southern entrance via El Chorro. The canyon carved out by the Guadalhorce is only 10 metres wide in some places and reaches a depth of 700 metres. The cliffs in El Chorro can be up to 300 metres high.

The narrow sections of the canyon and the high cliffs shape the landscape around El Chorro. The southern entrance via El Chorro is therefore part of the route described, just as the location of the village at the end of the Caminito del Rey is. Thus, the geological dimensions of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes are situated directly alongside the area's historic and active routes.

For further reading: Pantano Del Chorro.

Nature

The surroundings of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes include Aleppo pines and pine trees. Holm oaks, eucalyptus trees and riverside vegetation are also present.

The vegetation therefore includes both conifers and holm oaks, eucalyptus trees and plants along the riverbanks. These different components belong to the surroundings of the canyon and complement the landscape shaped by cliffs and narrow passages.

The Sierra de la Pizarra mountain is located in the immediate vicinity of El Chorro. The Sierra de Huma is also located in the same immediate vicinity. The Sierra de Aguas mountain is likewise located in the immediate vicinity of El Chorro. The Sierra de Baños is located in the vicinity of El Chorro.

The mountains mentioned are spread across the immediate vicinity and the wider surroundings of El Chorro. The immediate vicinity includes the Sierra de la Pizarra, the Sierra de Huma and the Sierra de Aguas; the Sierra de Baños is located in the vicinity of the village.

The Haza del Río path offers panoramic views of the historic remains of the former 10th-century Mozarabic city of Bobastro. The view thus combines a stretch of path with the visible remains of the former city and its dating to the 10th century.

Active Routes

The Vía Ferrata El Chorro is 650 metres long and has 250 metres of positive elevation gain. It includes a Tibetan bridge and a Nepalese bridge. There is also a zip line approximately 35 metres long. The Vía Ferrata El Chorro has a medium difficulty rating of K3.

The route combines its length of 650 metres with 250 metres of positive elevation gain and several different elements. In addition to the Tibetan and Nepalese bridges, the facility also includes the approximately 35-metre-long zip line. The medium difficulty rating K3 describes the classification of the via ferrata.

When climbing in El Chorro, climbers mainly encounter technical walls with little overhang. Individual inclines can reach up to 90°.

Thus, climbing mainly involves technical wall sections with little overhang alongside individual inclines of up to 90°. The cliffs and climbing routes represent different described features of the mountainous surroundings of El Chorro.

History

The Caminito del Rey was built between 1901 and 1905 as a service path between the Gaitanejo and Chorro hydroelectric power plants. It ends in El Chorro (Álora).

Its original function as a service path between the two hydroelectric power plants is therefore part of the construction history of the Caminito del Rey. The stated construction period runs from 1901 to 1905; El Chorro in Álora is specified as its endpoint.

Culture

Castillo de Álora is a castle in the vicinity of El Chorro. The Conjunto Arqueológico Dólmenes de Antequera is a museum in the wider regional surroundings of El Chorro. The Dolmen de Viera is an ancient site in the wider regional surroundings of El Chorro. The Tholos de El Romeral in the Conjunto Arqueológico Dólmenes de Antequera is a museum in the wider regional surroundings of El Chorro.

The cultural destinations therefore include a castle in the vicinity, as well as a museum and an ancient site in the wider regional surroundings. Castillo de Álora represents the area's castle heritage; the Conjunto Arqueológico Dólmenes de Antequera, the Dolmen de Viera and the Tholos de El Romeral broaden the cultural scope to include a museum and archaeological site.

For the main travel overview: Ardales.