As we neared the end of our bendy ascent through the tiny town of El Chorro into the Guadalhorce Valley, I actually saw a chicken cross the road. Sensing the danger of the oncoming vehicle, its pace quickened from a composed strut to a panicked dash in a bid to avoid certain death. The punchline was still unclear, but the chicken had made it safely to the other side, and we could breathe a sigh of relief.

Before the grand re-opening of El Chorro's El Caminito del Rey earlier this year, such an event could quite plausibly have been the most exciting thing to have ever happened in the sleepy town, home to roughly 250 people.

Since its revival, El Caminito del Rey has probably been written about by every blogger and independent news publcation in all of Andalucía.

It's kind of a big deal, though to describe it as 'big' would be quite the understatement; when I finally visited a few weeks ago, I was astounded. From the moment we ducked into the 80m-long tunnel at the start of a scenic pre-amble, to the imposing drawbridge at the route's climax, a list of superlatives almost as bottomless as the 105m chasm itself could quite easily have escaped my lips.

It really is awesome, from start to finish. That's 7.7km of pathways, boardwalks and epic scenery.

Even before we get past ticket inspection we are amazed by the strange, Jurassic-like rock formations across the river Guadalhorce. Once the helmets and hair nets are on, we are left to stroll through at our own pace.

Inevitably there is an instant blockade of camera-wielding tourists within the first 30 yards, but you can hardly blame them (us); the views are magnificent and on the other side of the gorge, a tiny, signposted section - more like a ledge actually - of the old Caminito is just about still intact.

Beneath the refurbished, entirely secure boardwalk, the old a hole-ridden, stone walkway is held together by rusting steel beams - and it is just about still in place. It's a wonder how anyone ever had the courage to walk along it, and even more amazing that people would still consider doing it in the 21st century, since until last year when the route closed for refurbishment, this is exactly what harebrained adrenaline-junkies, like Matthew from expertvagabond.com, were able to do (seriously worth reading; great post complete with hair-raising video!)

Beyond the first gorge, the unspoiled and prehistoric-like beauty of the area ahead is such that we half expect a pterodactyl to come swooping down and spear a helpless Jurassic fish, or a herd of velociraptors to emerge on the horizon as a ruffle of leaves in a nearby tree reveals the head of a curious Diplodocus.

Well, perhaps only I imagine that, but as I clock the vultures circling above I can't help but feel there are a few details missing from the brochure. Later, my question is answered we pass a plaque commemorating the only three people to have ever died hiking El Caminito since records began.

The highlights of the trail are the glass balcony and the drawbridge, like something smack out of Indiana Jones, although unlike in the film this one does not snap quite so easily – and there are no man-eating crocodiles idly waiting with their jaws open in the river 105m below. Still, it's pretty damn scary.

On the bridge, it's hard to imagine a better view in Spain, or anywhere for that matter. The water is so still and turquoise it looks fake. In fact, the scenery in general is so dazzling I think my eyes actually hurt a little bit.

The rest of the trail, heading in the Álora direction, follows the river until eventually we arrive at the enormous hydroelectric power station, which kind of spells an end to the whimsical reverie that's been going on in my head for the last two hours.

There's just enough time for a round or two of tapas at the local bar before we are whisked back by bus to the car park at the Ardales end of the trail. A day trip definitely worth doing, free or not!

Need to Know

You must reserve your tickets online well in advance of your visit. Usually, visitors have to wait between four and six weeks for an available date, so it's important to plan ahead You can reserve tickets on the El Caminito del Rey website.

Make sure you take plenty of snacks and water, appropriate hiking shoes, sunglasses, clothes suited to the weather (so check the weather forecast daily during the week before you go!), a camera and pterodactyl repellent.

History

The original Caminito del Rey was built to allow workers from nearby communities 'easy' access to the large hydroelectric dam when it was being constructed at the beginning of the 20th century. The pathway started where the train station is now located and flanked the gorge all the way to the dam. In 1921, King Alfonso XIII visited El Chorro to inaugurate the dam but to get there he had to walk along the path first. Thus, the precarious pathway became known as El Caminito del Rey - 'The King's Little Pathway'.

Between then and some time last year, anybody was able to use the path, at their own peril!