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Good News For Once-Threatened European Crags

In Spain and Turkey, two areas are open to climbers after different issues almost caused them to close.

The once-broken El Caminito del Rey has been rebuilt.
The once-broken El Caminito del Rey has been rebuilt. Only a few daring climbers used it to access crags at El Chorro. Photo Amusing Planet

In Spain, the El Caminito del Rey (The King’s Pathway) has reopened and brought better access to climbers at El Chorro. The exposed, hanging walkway that clings to a cliff above the Guadalhorce River was once used to access a power station near the town of Malaga. It was called the most dangerous walkway in the world.

After 25 years of neglect, the trail was almost unusable and only the bravest climbers had been cautiously using it to access some of the many sport routes at El Chorro.

To use the new walkway you must book in advance. There are 1,800 routes at El Chorro, for more information see here.

In Turkey, Geyik Bayiri, one of Europe’s most popular crags, was threatened by a mining project. The group that was petitioning to have the area saved announced today, “The permit for mining in Geyik Bayiri is CANCELLED. Thank you all for supporting us.”

With more and more people starting to climb every year, it’s important we save access to crags everywhere. If only some areas in Canada could follow suit and realize the benefits of having access to climbing secured for future generations.

The rally to save Geyik Bayiri.  Photo Save Geyikbayiri
The rally to save Geyik Bayiri. Photo Save Geyikbayiri

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