Thirteen pairs of hiking boots, 17 pairs of socks, and five headlamps. Nine U.S. states, six national parks, and 25 backpacker hostels. Approximately 15 million steps and 6,875.5 total miles.
These dizzying metrics come from hiker Nick Gagnon’s recent completion of the Great Western Loop, a massive thru-hike that links together sections of the Pacific Crest, Pacific Northwest, Continental Divide, Grand Enchantment, and Arizona trails in a nearly 7,000-mile circle.
This unofficial via ferrata looked like my kind of adventure. 😀
Sadly — before I got there — it was shut down following five deaths in 1999 and 2000. The final incident was when 3 local men tried to do an unofficial zipline across the gorge. Simultaneously. The cable broke and all were killed.
It didn’t reopen for non-climbers until 2015.
I finally got there in 2022.
Today it’s super safe. Everyone must wear a helmet AND hair net to keep the helmet clean(er).
Originally, a walkway was built to provide workers at the hydroelectric power plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls with access. Families of those workers lived here and also used the simple paths.
You can still see remaining sections of the old walkways.
King Alfonso XIII actually did get off his private train and walk a short section in 1921, hence the name.
Construction of the railway is impressive, too. Here’s one of many bridges.
It is a fun half day — though crowded.
If you have a fear of heights, this might not be the best adventure for you. There are many OTHER great hikes in Spain.
The cliff walls are steep. This is one of the most popular rock climbing areas in Spain. Unsurprisingly, the climbers were not all that keen to have tourists return in 2015.
You can do this hike on your own — but since I didn’t have a vehicle, instead I signed up for a group tour from Málaga for about €60. And it was quite good.
besthike.com 