El Chorro facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
El Chorro
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El Chorro Railway station
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Municipal location in the Province of Málaga
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| Country |  Spain |
| Autonomous community | Andalusia |
| Province | Málaga |
| Comarca | Valle del Guadalhorce |
| Population
(2012)
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| • Total | 245 |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST (GMT +2)) |
| Area code(s) | +34 (Spain) |
El Chorro ("The Cascade") is a small village in southern Spain. It is found in Málaga, which is part of the Andalusia region. The village is close to the town of Álora. El Chorro is very popular for outdoor activities. Many people come here for rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and camping. This is because it is right next to the amazing Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, also known as the "Gorge of the Gaitanes".
Exploring the Gorge of the Gaitanes
The Gorge of the Gaitanes is famous for a thrilling walkway. It is called the Caminito del Rey, which means "King's Pathway." This path hangs about 100 meters (328 feet) above the bottom of the gorge. It was first built to help workers get to a power plant. The path got its name after King Alfonso XIII of Spain visited it in 1921.
The King's Pathway: A Journey of Adventure
For safety reasons, the original path was closed in 2000 because it was very old and dangerous. However, rock climbers could still use a special climbing route called a "via ferrata." This route helped them get back onto parts of the old 'Caminito'. Later, the local government decided to fix up the "Caminito." They worked together to make it safe and exciting for everyone to visit again.
Nature and Railways in the Gorge
The gorge stretches from the "Embalse del Gaitanejo" lake to El Chorro village. It has two very narrow sections at each end. In between, there is a wider, bowl-shaped area. Besides the newly fixed walkway, an old railway line also runs through the gorge. This railway, which used to connect Málaga and Cordoba, goes through many tunnels and over bridges.
