Ronda is finally opening the second phase of the Tajo gorge trail, known as the Camino del Desfiladero, on Wednesday, 16 September, completing one of the main tourism projects in recent years. The new section extends the walk from the base of Puente Nuevo (the 'new bridge') into the gorge, reaching the Padre Jesús area and creating a route of almost one kilometre.

The new section was officially opened on Tuesday by the president of the Junta de Andalucía, Juanma Moreno, who was accompanied by the mayor of Ronda, Mari Paz Fernández, and the head of the Diputación provincial authority, Francisco Salado..

Moreno praised this "new way of looking at the gem" that is Ronda's gorge, adding that the path will allow visitors to discover "an unknown Ronda, a different Ronda, a wonderful Ronda", combining historical heritage with natural surroundings.

The first section of the Camino del Desfiladero has been open since April 2024. It allows visitors to descend from the historic centre, through Plaza del Campillo, to the foot of Puente Nuevo. According to data from the town hall, it receives more than 160,000 visitors per year.

From Wednesday, visitors can walk 500 metres more, along a footbridge at the bottom of the Tajo gorge, next to the Guadalevín river.

The structure allows visitors to venture deeper into the gorge towards the town's other two historic bridges. The route ends at the old hermitage of San Miguel, near the Arab baths.

The second phase has cost the provincial authority of Malaga 1,087,426 euros. According to the town hall, the objective is to allow visitors to experience the Tajo gorge from within, rather than simply viewing it from the upper viewpoints.

"It's been many months of work," tourism councillor Ángel Martínez said. He stated that the opening of the entire route will have a positive impact on tourism in Ronda.

The opening comes several months after the town hall declared the infrastructure complete. At that time, it stated that the opening would take place soon.

The town hall has used this period to renovate a building on Calle Molino del Alarcón, next to the old hermitage of San Miguel, which will serve as a visitor centre and an office for Turismo de Ronda. It will be the starting point of the Camino after crossing the gorge and it will lead to the area around the Arab baths and Padre Jesús.

The first phase of the project opened to the public in April 2024. It was initially about 250 metres long. In its first month of operation, it recorded 18,000 visitors, an average of around 600 per day, according to municipal data.

That initial phase enhanced the path between Plaza del Campillo and the base of Puente Nuevo and served as a preview of the footbridge that now completes the route.

The town hall also intends to use the new exit to redistribute some of the tourist flow. Martínez believes that Padre Jesús and the Arrabal district, traditionally less frequented than the historic centre, will now be able to directly receive those who complete the walk.

The councillor also said that the new route would help reduce the concentration of visitors along Calle Tenorio and Calle Armiñán and generate activity in streets like Calle Real, which recently underwent a renovation.

The general admission price is 12 euros, while residents of Ronda have free access. The official Camino del Desfiladero website will be selling the tickets.

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