3 Ways To Experience Extreme Adventure In Andalucía, Spain

Andalucía in Spain is known for its iconic, historic cities and the popular Costa del Sol, but also offers adventure for the daredevils of the world. Among the region’s offerings are sports like base jumping and skydiving.  Meanwhile, another option tests people’s nerves and their fear of heights while navigating El Caminito del Rey, a walkway along the steep walls of a rocky gorge in El Chorro. Read on to find out three of the best options for extreme adventure sports in Andalucía.

1. El Caminito del Rey, Ardales, Malaga, Andalucía

Pictured above and top, El Caminito del Rey is a walkway pinned along the steep walls of a gorge in the craggy El Chorro Natural Park, near Ardales. The path was originally built between 1901 and 1905 to give workmen access to a nearby hydroelectric dam.

When the dam was officially opened on May 21, 1921, by King Alfonso XIII of Spain, his royal highness was invited to walk along the narrow pathway. From then onwards, it was named El Camino del Rey (the King’s Pathway) and eventually was abbreviated to El Caminito. However, be warned, you need a good head for heights to navigate this narrow trail! You’ll see why in the video included here.

2. BASE jumping in the Sierra Nevada and Ronda

Many daredevils BASE jump from towering skyscrapers around the world. However, Andalucía doesn’t really have any, but this Spanish region does have plenty of seriously high cliff faces. The best places in the region are in the hilltop city of Ronda and the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

For those new to the sport, it involves running as fast as you can toward the edge before hurling yourself off, while assuming the straddle position. From there onward you should maneuver as far from the cliff face as you can, then open your ‘chute – all within around six to seven seconds. If all goes well, you will then float gently down to terra firma. The video below shows people base jumping from the historic New Bridge in Ronda.

3. Skydiving in Andalucía

Anyone looking for another true adrenaline rush should give skydiving a go. Skydiving is similar to regular, free-fall parachuting, except it’s much faster. In fact, you will dive from the plane, inverting yourself with your head pointing directly to the ground. Keep your legs together and your arms clamped to your sides.

The main aim of the sport is to travel as fast as possible, even hitting speeds of up to 200 mph on the way. Meanwhile, shortly before hitting the ground, you will pull out of the dive and assume the straddle position, while releasing your parachute. Ideally, anyone trying this out for the first time should try a tandem skydive as seen in the video below.

Try Andalucía for an adrenaline rush of extreme adventure in 2023 – you will definitely return for more.