How I Became an Accidental Hero on the World’s Scariest Hike

Some people visit Málaga for the beaches.

Others come for the tapas. But our good friend Carolina? She arrived with a bucket list.

Before flying in from Costa Rica, she sent us a list of things she absolutely had to do while here.

Flamenco? Check. Eat churros con chocolate? Easy. Stroll through the whitewashed villages? Done. But then, there was the big one: Hike Caminito del Rey, once known as the most dangerous hike in the world.

Now, Carolina knew she was afraid of heights, but she still wanted to challenge herself.

I, on the other hand, was beyond terrified. But with my husband, my daughter, our friend Dale, and Carolina all excited to go, I wasn't about to be the only one backing out.

What I didn't know was that Carolina's fear wasn't just a mild discomfort. It was full-blown, paralysing terror. And I was about to become her emotional support human for the entire "death-defying" journey.

Immediate Regrets

The start of the hike was lovely.

The stunning turquoise colour of the dam was striking.

The trail begins with a tunnel through a mountain, a scenic path with a gentle breeze, and the pleasant sound of birds chirping. I almost believed this would be fine.

Then, we saw it! The infamous narrow wooden pathway bolted to a sheer cliff face 100 meters above the ground.

My brain: Nope. Absolutely not. This was a mistake.

Reality: Too late. No turning back.

The thing about Caminito del Rey? There's no way to back out once you're on it.

It's a one-way trail. So, the only option was forward.

That's when Carolina froze. Not just nervous but completely unable to move. Her eyes locked on the drop below, her body refused to take another step, and she whispered, "I can't do this."

"Oh, we're doing this," I replied, despite also wanting to lie down and cry.

The Death Grip & The Betrayal

From that moment on, I held Carolina's hand in a vice grip, leading her inch by inch across the walkway while simultaneously trying to manage my own sheer panic. Slowly, step by step, she shuffled along, refusing to look down, whispering a string of Spanish words that I'm pretty sure were prayers or curses.

My husband? He was happily striding ahead, enjoying the views.

Dale? Taking pictures like this was a casual Sunday stroll.

My daughter? Laughing and skipping ahead.

What. A. Traitor.

Meanwhile, I had become a human anchor, dragging a completely frozen Carolina forward while internally screaming, "WHO PUT THIS ON HER BUCKET LIST?!"

The Worst Possible Moment

Just when I thought it couldn't get worse, we reached the grand finale: the wobbly suspension bridge.

Carolina stopped dead in her tracks.

I sighed. "Carolina, we don't have a choice."

She shook her head. "Nope. I live here now."

Unfortunately, living on a tiny ledge halfway through Caminito del Rey wasn't a viable option. So, I did what any good friend would do: I lied.

"It's totally fine! Super safe! Hardly moves at all!" (This was false.)

And so, hand in hand, we half-walked, half-ran, half-cried our way across.

Sweet, Sweet Victory

And then, solid ground. We had survived.

Carolina let go of my hand and looked at me, her face a mix of exhaustion, gratitude, and betrayal. "I hate you," she said.

I patted her shoulder. "You're welcome."

Would I do it again? I believe I would want to, but I won't know for sure until that day comes.

But if you're looking for an unforgettable day trip from Malaga, add Caminito del Rey to your list.

Just bring a friend to suffer with. And don't let go of their hand.

Oh, and definitely reward yourself with churros and a lot of wine after. You'll need it.

If you need a base for your adventure, check out where to stay in Malaga. And for more ideas on things to do in Malaga, we've got you covered. Don't forget to check out one day in Antequera if you're in the area.