Ronda’s Camino del Tajo Begins Countdown to Its Official Opening

The Camino del Tajo in Ronda has entered the final stage before its official opening. With the main obstacles now cleared, the new route through the Guadalevín river gorge has begun welcoming local residents through organised visits with different social groups from the town.

Ronda Town Hall is arranging these preliminary tours so that residents can discover a completely different perspective of one of the town’s most iconic natural and architectural landmarks.

The official inauguration is still awaiting a final date, which will depend on the agenda of the new Andalusian regional government. However, the project has already begun its countdown with social and technical visits.

A Route Beneath the Puente Nuevo

The new walkway allows visitors to descend to the base of the Puente Nuevo, pass beneath Ronda’s most famous monument and continue through the interior of the Tajo gorge.

The route begins at the visitor reception centre and ends near the Arab Baths, beside the San Miguel hermitage and close to the Padre Jesús neighbourhood.

For many residents of Ronda, who are used to seeing the Tajo from the viewpoints above, the path offers a completely new view of the landscape.

The route reveals the houses perched above the cliff edge, the natural ledges of the gorge and the huge vertical stone walls from below.

A New View Even for Local Residents

The first visits have made a strong impression on those taking part.

Several residents said they had never walked through this part of the gorge before and described the view from inside the Tajo as far more striking than they had expected.

The new path allows visitors to enjoy the setting slowly, with a closer look at the natural environment, the historic water systems and the architecture that blends into the rock walls.

Walking just a few metres above the river, with the cliffs rising on both sides, makes the route one of the most unusual experiences in Ronda.

Safety Tests and Evacuation Checks

Members of Civil Protection have also completed the route as part of the preparations before opening.

During the visit, they carried an evacuation stretcher to test how a rescue operation could be carried out in the area if needed.

The terrain, the narrowness of some sections and the position of the walkway make safety planning an essential part of the process before the route opens to the public.

These tests are intended to ensure that visitors will be able to enjoy the Camino del Tajo with the necessary safety measures in place.

Historic Heritage Inside the Gorge

Along the route, visitors can see several elements that help explain the historical importance of the Tajo and the Guadalevín river for Ronda.

One of these is the water intake area linked to the old hydroelectric power station.

Another important feature is the entrance to La Mina, an excavation cut into the rock that once allowed the town to access water secretly during periods of siege.

These elements make the route more than just a scenic walk. The Camino del Tajo also helps visitors understand the relationship between Ronda, water and the town’s defensive history.

A Walkway Integrated into the Landscape

The wooden walkway was designed by architect Luis Machuca and runs along the walls of the gorge.

In some areas, it is positioned around three or four metres above the water, creating a close connection with the river and an unusual feeling of “inverted vertigo”, as visitors are below the town rather than looking down from above.

The design aims to blend into a sensitive natural setting where the landscape and the scale of the gorge remain the main focus.

The combination of wood, stone and water creates a visual experience very different from the traditional viewpoints of Ronda.

Wildlife Returns to the River

Another striking feature of the route is the presence of wildlife.

Visitors can see birds along the cliff walls and fish in some areas of the river, a scene that contrasts with the memory many residents have of previous decades, when pollution severely affected the Guadalevín and there was very little life in the water.

The environmental recovery of the area now allows visitors to see a more vibrant Tajo and strengthens the value of the new route as a space for natural interpretation.

A New Tourist Attraction for Ronda

The opening of the Camino del Tajo will add a new tourist and heritage attraction to Ronda.

The route will expand the experience available to visitors, offering a different way to discover the Puente Nuevo, the gorge and the Guadalevín river.

It will also give local residents the opportunity to rediscover a place that forms part of their identity but had remained inaccessible to many of them until now.

While the official opening date has yet to be confirmed, the Camino del Tajo has already begun to show its potential as one of Ronda’s most important new natural and cultural attractions.

Location: Ronda, Málaga
Route: From the visitor reception centre to the area near the Arab Baths
Setting: Guadalevín river gorge and the base of the Puente Nuevo
Main features: Puente Nuevo, former water intake area, entrance to La Mina, wooden walkway and river wildlife
Official opening: Date pending

Information source: Málaga Hoy