A new final section of the Caminito del Rey trail in Malaga province includes Spain’s longest suspension bridge and reduces temperatures by up to 11.4 degrees Celsius during the hottest parts of the day, according to measurements cited by the Malaga Provincial Council.
The council said a study by the health and safety department of Sando, the construction company, found the new bridge recorded temperatures up to 11.4°C lower than the previous route, with an average difference of 5.8°C during peak heat hours. The measurements were taken over two days and are described as preliminary.
The council said the temperature gap occurs at the most demanding point of the walk, when accumulated heat and physical effort raise the risk of exhaustion, dehydration, and fainting.
The redesign also removes nine flights of stairs and about 30 metres of elevation gain that the old exit required. The new route follows a descending profile and is described as shorter overall, benefiting older visitors, children, and people with reduced mobility in particular.
The council added that the new layout improves emergency response by allowing assistance vehicles direct access to the exit zone and removing the ascents and staircases that previously complicated evacuations. It also reduces visitor exposure to areas identified as prone to rockfalls.
