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Caminito del Rey: one step to its restoration

MarConfort Hotels-20/06/2011

Caminito del Rey restoration project made his first step after with the agreement between Regional and Central governments, which determines the financing of this project.

Thus it is established that both entities will be split 50% of the budget for this purpose, which will add a total of 9,076,880 euros (just over 4.5 million each), for use in restoration the road, matching the surrounding area, building a museum and a center for enabling the reception of visitors, plus parking. A major project, as Clara Aguilera, regional councillor, said, will make the place "in a first class tourist resort in the province of Malaga."

El Caminito del Rey, located in the natural area of El Chorro and built over a century, is one of  most emblematic routes in the province of Málaga and has three kilometers, much of which runs through Los Gaitanes cliffs. The gradual deterioration of these facilities led to its temporary closure, hence the "urgency of restoration," said Salvador Pendón, acting chairman of the Diputación de Málaga.

Once agreed the budget and financial players, the bidding of the works is to determine. Pendón hopes that "as early as possible so that they can begin this year."

The restoration of the Caminito del Rey is part of the Zone Plan promoted by the Andalusian government for the economic development of rural areas of the community, among which includes a section devoted to the western highlands of the province of Malaga.

In this sense, Aguilera applauded the performance of the Diputación de Málaga in the Plan area, "one of the supramunicipal that have contributed to the development of this program from the beginning."

Pendón wanted to remember the "long haul" of this rehabilitation project, which began in 1995 but was suspended several times because of opposition from environmental groups, among others reasons. President also wanted to highlight the "extraordinary situation of this wonderful location" and its proximity to the train station of Santa Ana, Laguna de Fuente de Piedra, Sierra del Torcal and the towns of Ronda and Antequera. As the tourism and economic impact will bring the municipalities of Alora and Ardales, very close to this area.

Source: laopiniondemalaga.es