Young Hiker Dies After Falling From Via Ferrata in Spain

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A 20-year-old British hiker has died after a horrific fall from a via ferrata in Spain called the Puente Mono or “Monkey Bridge.” The Puente Mono via ferrata is an optional part of the famous Caminito del Rey route, an 8-km (5-mile) path near Malaga, Spain. Caminito del Rey involves traversing hanging walkways built into a cliffside, giving hikers spectacular views of canyons and a large valley.

The young hiker reportedly fell while crossing a via ferrata, which consists of metal cables bolted into the rock faces on either side of a gap. Hikers/climbers are supposed to clip themselves to the line in case they fall, and it’s unclear whether this man’s safety line failed or if he did not clip in to begin with.

A spokesman for the Guardia Civil in Malaga told press: “Members of the specialist Civil Guard Greim mountain rescue team based in Alora near Malaga, supported by a Civil Guard helicopter based in Granada, have rescued the body of a young British man. He had suffered a fall while he was crossing a via ferrata in the area known as Monkey Bridge near to El Chorro. When officers reached the man he had gone into cardiac arrest. Despite practicing CPR on him and evacuating him rapidly from the scene by helicopter to a nearby heliport where medical services were waiting, they were only able to confirm his death.”

See the Puente Mono via ferrata from which the hiker reportedly fell and died:

Header image is a screenshot from Sendero Sur Aventura and does not show the deceased hiker.