Almería's 'Caminito del Rey' to open on December 11: spectacular walkway 60 metres above marble quarries

Andalusia is preparing to welcome a new tourist attraction reminiscent of Málaga's famous Caminito del Rey. The Macael Mining Park, in Almería province, is scheduled to open to the public on Friday, December 11, 2026, allowing visitors to explore a spectacular landscape of white marble quarries along elevated walkways and viewpoints more than 60 metres above the ground.

The new attraction, popularly nicknamed Almería's 'Caminito del Rey', offers an experience unlike conventional hiking routes. Instead of passing through a natural gorge, visitors will explore a landscape transformed by centuries of marble extraction, an industry that has shaped Macael's history, economy and identity.

The opening date was announced through a notice published on the park's Google Maps listing, according to local newspaper Diario de Almería. Visitors can request information and make reservations by calling +34 672 883 873.

The park was officially inaugurated on July 3, 2026, although the start of regular public visits was scheduled for a later stage, following arrangements for its operation by a private concessionaire.

With an investment of approximately €2 million, the project aims to transform Macael's historic quarries into a destination for visitors interested in unusual landscapes, elevated walkways and experiences connected to Andalusia's industrial heritage.

Macael Mining Park is scheduled to open on December 11, 2026

Several months after its official inauguration, the Macael Mining Park is preparing to welcome visitors on a regular basis.

The announced opening date is Friday, December 11, 2026, marking the planned beginning of public access to the attraction.

Although the project had already been presented to the public, its operation through a concessionaire still needed to be organised.

Macael's municipal tourism website continues to provide information relating to the project's launch phase, while the specific December 11 date comes from the Google Maps announcement reported by the local press.

For this reason, visitors are advised to confirm the opening date and availability before travelling.

The park aims to become one of the newest attractions in the Almanzora Valley, an inland district of Almería with a long history of natural stone production.

The experience will combine spectacular scenery with an explanation of how marble has been extracted and worked from ancient times to the present day.

Suspended walkways and panoramic viewpoints over 60 metres high

The most striking feature of the Macael Mining Park will be its elevated route, known as El Camino del Vértigo, or the Path of Vertigo.

This infrastructure allows visitors to walk alongside towering quarry faces and discover an unusual perspective of the marble extraction sites.

The route includes suspended walkways and two panoramic viewpoints positioned more than 60 metres above the ground, offering views across the quarries and the vast excavations created over generations.

The pale stone walls and dramatic changes in elevation create an extraordinary setting, very different from the natural landscapes traditionally associated with mountain walks.

One of the project's main objectives is to demonstrate how human activity has transformed the surrounding landscape and how the quarries have become part of the town's identity.

The walkways are designed to integrate the visitor experience into the mining environment, providing observation points overlooking former extraction areas.

The result is a route combining architecture, landscape and industrial history.

For visitors, the main attraction will be the opportunity to explore marble quarries that have traditionally been associated with industrial activity rather than conventional tourism.

Why is it called Almería's 'Caminito del Rey'?

The comparison with Málaga's famous Caminito del Rey comes primarily from the elevated walkways, steps and viewpoints that allow visitors to experience dramatic changes in height.

Málaga's Caminito del Rey passes through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, while the Macael Mining Park is located within a landscape of marble quarries.

The main difference between the two attractions is therefore their setting and the nature of the experience.

In Málaga, the route is closely connected to the gorge's geology and the history of hydroelectric infrastructure.

In Macael, the focus is on white marble, its extraction and the cultural legacy of the people who have worked in the quarries for generations.

Although both attractions share the appeal of spectacular heights, the Macael Mining Park is not a replica of the Caminito del Rey. It is a tourist experience with its own distinctive characteristics.

Alongside the walkways, the Almería attraction incorporates archaeological heritage and digital resources explaining the evolution of marble extraction.

A route lasting up to two and a half hours through the marble quarries

A visit to the Macael Mining Park is expected to last approximately two to two and a half hours, according to information released during the project's presentation.

The route has been designed to offer more than simply viewing the quarries from panoramic platforms.

Throughout the experience, visitors will discover different stages in the history of marble extraction, from its early beginnings to modern industrial techniques.

The itinerary will explain how this natural resource has influenced the municipality's economic and cultural development.

It will also highlight the changes to the landscape caused by quarrying activities.

The attraction aims to combine striking visual elements, heritage interpretation and areas where visitors can observe the quarry faces directly.

At present, the final access conditions, age restrictions and specific physical requirements for completing the route have not been clearly published.

As the park includes elevated walkways and significant changes in height, visitors should consult the operator's recommendations beforehand, particularly when travelling with children or people with reduced mobility.

Macael's marble quarries: one of Andalusia's most distinctive landscapes

The Macael Mining Park is located in Macael, a municipality in the Almanzora Valley, internationally associated with the extraction and processing of white marble.

The presence of this natural stone has shaped the town's development for centuries.

Its mining activity has created a distinctive local culture connected to quarry workers, stone-processing workshops and companies specialising in marble production.

The quarries form part of an unusual landscape characterised by vast areas of pale rock and excavation sites displaying different phases of extraction.

This environment will be one of the park's main attractions.

The experience aims to show how an economic activity can also become an important cultural and tourism resource.

Macael marble has historically been used in architecture, decoration and sculpture, with the town's name associated with projects in Spain and internationally.

The new park will allow visitors to understand where this material comes from and the work involved in transforming raw stone into finished products.

Roman remains, an Islamic settlement and archaeological heritage

Although the suspended walkways will be the park's main visual attraction, its historical content will be equally important.

The route incorporates heritage sites connected to Macael Viejo, an ancient settlement containing evidence of occupation during several historical periods.

Among the identified remains are traces of an Islamic rural settlement, a Roman dwelling and a water cistern dating from the Andalusi period.

Archaeological evidence also suggests human activity in the area dating back to the Neolithic period.

These discoveries demonstrate that Macael's history extends far beyond the modern industrial exploitation of marble.

The territory was inhabited and used by different communities long before the quarries developed into the major economic activity they are today.

By incorporating these archaeological remains into the visitor experience, the park will connect the history of marble with the development of human settlements and changing techniques for using natural resources.

The result will be a broader interpretation of local history, bringing together landscape, archaeology and mining heritage.

Augmented reality and 3D reconstructions reveal the history of marble

The Macael Mining Park will also use technology to help visitors understand its historical and industrial significance.

The project includes three-dimensional reconstructions and augmented reality experiences designed to illustrate how marble extraction techniques have evolved.

These resources will help explain historical processes that can be difficult to imagine through conventional information panels alone.

Digital reconstructions will allow visitors to explore different periods of mining activity and understand how working methods have changed over time.

Technology will also help provide context for the archaeological remains and other heritage features incorporated into the route.

This combination aims to make the experience educational and accessible to different types of visitors.

The park will therefore offer an experience in which the dramatic landscape is complemented by explanations of Macael's industrial and cultural history.

A €2 million project to boost tourism in inland Almería

The creation of the Macael Mining Park represents an investment of approximately €2 million.

The development forms part of Andalusia's 2023 Territorial Tourism Sustainability Plan, supported by European Next Generation EU funding.

The project has involved several public administrations and aims to strengthen tourism opportunities in inland Almería.

Its official inauguration took place on July 3, 2026, attended by Macael's mayor, Raúl Martínez; the president of Almería Provincial Council, José Antonio García Alcaina; and representatives of the Andalusian Regional Government.

The development forms part of a strategy to diversify local tourism by creating new experiences connected to industry, heritage and the landscape.

Macael hopes to use one of its most recognisable features to attract visitors seeking alternatives to the region's traditional sun-and-beach destinations.

The park will also help introduce younger generations to the historical importance of an industry that remains central to the municipality's identity.

How to book tickets for the Macael Mining Park

Information released about the opening indicates that visitors can request details and arrange reservations by calling +34 672 883 873.

This telephone number appeared in the announcement about the start of public visits published through the park's Google Maps listing.

However, an updated official admission price for the new Macael Mining Park has not yet been independently confirmed.

A final timetable detailing opening hours, available tour slots and specific access conditions from December 11 has also not been clearly established.

Visitors are therefore advised to contact the operator directly before planning their trip.

It is important to distinguish tickets for the Mining Park from other existing attractions in Macael, such as the Marble Interpretation Centre, as prices and visitor experiences may differ.

The Macael Turismo website provides information about the town's tourist attractions and is another useful source for updates about the new park.

A new day-trip destination in inland Andalusia

The opening of the Macael Mining Park will introduce a new option for cultural and nature-based tourism in Andalusia.

The attraction is particularly appealing to people who enjoy panoramic walks, unusual landscapes and places connected to industrial history.

It will also provide an opportunity to explore a district of Almería whose heritage is closely linked to natural stone extraction.

Unlike a conventional hiking trip, the experience will combine dramatic scenery with explanations of archaeology, history and technology.

Walking alongside towering marble walls and stopping at elevated viewpoints will be among its most distinctive features.

The project also aims to establish a tourism experience connected to the local area that can operate throughout the year.

Almería's new 'Caminito del Rey' prepares for its December opening

December 11, 2026, is the announced opening date for public visits to the Macael Mining Park, an attraction designed to transform the town's quarrying heritage into one of inland Almería's newest tourist destinations.

Its main feature will be the Path of Vertigo, with suspended walkways and viewpoints positioned more than 60 metres above the ground.

The route, lasting approximately two to two and a half hours, will also incorporate archaeological remains, digital interpretation and explanations of the history of white marble.

With an investment of around €2 million, the municipality aims to strengthen its tourism offering through an experience combining adventure, culture and industrial heritage.

The Macael Mining Park offers a completely different perspective on the region's marble quarries: walking alongside towering stone walls, enjoying panoramic views from above and discovering the history of one of Almería's most important traditional industries.

Before travelling, visitors should confirm that the December 11 opening date remains unchanged and check the latest information about reservations, admission prices and access requirements.