Morning dawned and we woke up excited about a new adventure day. When we stepped out of our motorhome, daylight revealed the landscape before us. The reservoir's water level was exceptionally low, exposing the sandy bottom across wide areas.
After breakfast we briefly considered whether to drive closer to the shore. It quickly became clear that the sandy shores were treacherously soft. We decided to continue toward Caminito Del Rey. Today's tickets were sold out – you can't access the route without an advance booking. Fortunately, the next day had available spots.
Campsite and lake exploring
When the day's plans changed, we considered how to use the freed-up day. We met a nice older Swedish couple at the parking lot who were spending the winter motorhoming in Spain.
We found Camping del Caminito Del Rey right by the lake shore. After lunch we set out to explore the area. One of the area's highlights was a swimming pool with a stunning view. We also ventured to nearby islands that were now accessible on dry feet.
Caminito Del Rey hike
The next morning we rose before sunrise. We arrived at the parking lot in good time. The walk from parking to the route entrance passed through a magnificent tunnel carved into rock. You enter Caminito Del Rey from the north, and the route runs one-way southward.
We had booked tickets for a guided tour, which proved an excellent decision. The first part of the route followed a winding path along the canyon rim, but about halfway it changed completely – we walked along a vertical rock wall with only a metal grid beneath our feet.
The route's highlight was the Puente Colgante suspension bridge, which arcs across the canyon at 105 meters high. After the bridge we descended steep stairs.
