Thrill-seekers hoping to walk along the Costa del Sol's famous mountain trail Caminito del Rey, the King's Walkway, in El Chorro near Marbella next year will have to purchase a ticket to do so, it has just been announced by the local councils involved. Since its reopening to the public in March 2015, the walkway provided free access to tourists and locals alike, although people had to book their space online.
As of April next year, visitors will have to pay in the region of 7.00 to 10.00 euros per person for admission. The exact price is yet to be announced, but this is what local councils have so far agreed upon, according to Marina Bravo, Malaga Provincial Council’s Environmental Delegate.
Current Ticketing System inadequate to deal with Demand
Already 200,000 visitors from around the world have come to walk the gorge walk, a stunning mountain trail that runs for several miles between Alora and Ardales council terrain. The management of the tourist attraction is most likely to be placed in the hands of a private group, although the news over ticket pricing and change in management style has already inflamed locals, who are worried the trail may be mismanaged in future or fall into the wrong hands altogether.
A variety of storms in a tea-cup have brewed up over the issuing of vouchers by local councils to local businesses, and in that light it was clearly felt that the local councils were perhaps not the best choice for managing the immensely popular attraction.
It is envisaged that a ticket system where people have to pay for admission will result in better distribution and even more people being able to see the attraction. There had been numerous complaints over the past few months that people were unable to visit Caminito del Rey because they were unable to book their (free) tickets online, even though later reports confirmed that the site had been nearly empty and not overcrowded at all.
Were the Councils to blame for Muddle over Vouchers handed to Businesses?
Malaga Provincial Council has always stated that the main problem has been caused by people booking tickets online but then not turning up on the appointed day. The council believes that charging for tickets will stop this practice from happening and should result in greater availability.
That vouchers had been handed to local businesses who were then able to either hog these in favour of their own customers or simply not bother handing them out at all has also been a hotly debated bone of contention.
That local councils are not the best caretakers of tourist attractions can be seen in many different areas. For example, at the archaeological dig at Basílica Paleocristiana Vega del Mar in Marbella's district of San Pedro Alcántara the surrounding park is finally getting a make-over after many complaints over the total neglect the park had been received. Works to restore the landscaped areas and natural areas of these gardens to their former beauty have already started.
Although having to pay for Caminito del Rey access won't be welcome news for many locals, it will be received as good news by all those who visit their Marbella holiday homes several times a year. Sometimes bringing friends and relatives with them who have yet to explore the area, they will feel that a much fairer system will now be in operation that will guarantee everybody an equal chance to experience the spine-tingling walkway in El Chorro.