Beaches stretching for miles, crystal-clear sea, enchanting cities straight out of One Thousand and One Nights, tapas restaurants along the narrow city streets and flamenco performances: we know well that Andalusia certainly has no shortage of the classic tourist attractions. But there are other activities, perhaps less well known but equally interesting, for anyone wanting to discover the other side of Andalusia: that of its unspoilt natural beauty, the primary aim of those travellers who are not satisfied with the ordinary, and who love adventure and active holidays.
The Caminito del Rey is located in the province of Malaga and is an exceptional route through the mountains that winds along paths, walkways and bridges clinging to the rocky walls of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. This path is considered one of the most adventurous and breathtaking in Europe: just bear in mind that in places the walkways are only a mere metre wide and in others are suspended at 100 metres above the river.
Today the excursions are safe and suitable even for non-professionals, provided the guide’s instructions and, of course, common sense are respected. Clearly I strongly discourage the route for anyone who suffers from vertigo, for those who are not accustomed to walking in the mountains for several hours, and for anyone who, in general, lacks a sufficient sense of adventure.
Over the years, unfortunately, poor maintenance led to the collapse of part of the structures and, after several fatal accidents, to the closure of the entire area. Even so, the wild beauty of the place continued to attract many hikers and climbers from all over the world, making the Caminito one of the most dangerous paths in the world.
The Caminito del Rey today is safe: after its reopening, the entire route was made secure and is accessible to anyone who enjoys walking and is not afraid of heights.
Useful information about the Caminito del Rey
The questions about the Caminito del Rey are many and it’s often difficult to find answers online. I’m therefore happy to try to answer any questions and offer advice to help you make the most of this unforgettable experience, while bearing in mind that although the risks are few, it’s important to know yourself and your limits.
What is the Caminito del Rey?
The Caminito del Rey is a route of 7.7 kilometres (4,7 miles) that winds through gorges and canyons on walkways suspended over the void and anchored to the rock faces. It is linear rather than circular: as mentioned, the start is at Ardales and the arrival is at El Chorro. Those who have left their car in the Ardales car park can, at the end of the route, make use of a shuttle bus that returns from El Chorro to the starting point. For further information see here.
Where is it located?
The Caminito del Rey is located in the province of Malaga and is part of the municipalities of Ardales, Antequera and Álora. Given its strategic location, it is not uncommon to include it as an intermediate stop when covering the distance between Malaga and Seville: in the link you will find some ideas and tips for planning the itinerary.
How long does it take?
On average, completing the entire route takes between 2½ and 4 hours on foot.
What are the ticket prices for the Caminito del Rey?
The entrance ticket for the Caminito del Rey can be purchased on the official website or via the link shown. Children under 8 years old cannot take part in this type of excursion. With the general ticket available to purchase on site it is possible to enter and complete the route independently. Warning! If the official website is sold out, you may not find tickets available on site! Do not rely entirely on this option, as you risk travelling for nothing. Instead, buy a guided tour or check sites such as the one linked below.
Buy your ticket for the Caminito
If you’re not sure you can tackle this route on your own, I recommend considering a guided tour of the Caminito del Rey: thanks to a guide who speaks English and Spanish you will be able to discover the history, geography, flora and fauna of this magnificent place. In this case too, entry is prohibited for children under 8. Below you’ll find a link for the bookings for the Caminito del Rey.
Are there organised tours departing from Malaga?
Of course! If you don’t intend to drive to the Caminito, you can also opt for an organised tour from Malaga. The tour includes:
- Transport by bus from Malaga and other towns on the Costa del Sol
- Entrance to the Caminito del Rey
- Guided tour of the Caminito del Rey
- Travel insurance
- Option with free tasting -> link
The organised tour with a guided visit to the Caminito is also available departing from Seville. We discuss this in more detail in our article on day trips departing from Seville, and more specifically in this paragraph.
What are the opening times?
The Caminito del Rey è open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday with opening hours 9:00–14:50 or 9:00–17:20 depending on the season. Departures take place approximately every 30 minutes. On Mondays, 1 January, 24, 25 and 31 December the site is closed.
How do you get to the Caminito del Rey?
The Caminito del Rey runs north–south and is one-way only: the starting point for the Caminito del Rey is at Ardales (north entrance) while the finish is to the south, at El Chorro (Álora).
By public transport
For reaching the Caminito del Rey by public transport you can take a train from Malaga María Zambrano station to El Chorro station. From El Chorro station, shuttle buses (€1.55) run to the north entrance to the Caminito, where the route begins. As well as Malaga, El Chorro station is also well connected to Seville.
By car
To reach the Caminito del Rey from Malaga by car simply take the A-357 to the MA-5403, passing through the towns of Cártama, Pizarra, Carratraca and Ardales. It’s roughly 60 kilometres (37 miles) and takes about 50 minutes. In Pizarra you can also take the road to Álora and continue to El Chorro via the A-343. The roads linking this final part of the route, especially between Álora and El Chorro, offer breathtaking views and lush vegetation but are very winding, with many bends and hairpin turns.
- You can leave the car in the El Chorro car park and then take the bus that goes to Ardales, the start of the route. The bus takes about 25 minutes to reach Ardales. At that point the walk to the Casetta di Accesso, the starting point of the Caminito del Rey, begins. You can choose the shorter walk, 1.5 km, or the longer one, 2.7 km, to the starting point. In any case, I recommend allowing about an hour and a half between the time you park at El Chorro and your arrival at the Casetta di Accesso in Ardales. Having booked your entry time and the start of the route, it is essential to be on time for the departure in Ardales.
- The second option is to leave the car in the Ardales car park and begin one of the two walks to the Access Hut, where you will meet the rest of the group and then set off for the Caminito del Rey. In this case, at the end of the route you will need to take the bus that returns you from El Chorro to Ardales.
Where to stay?
Since the Caminito del Rey trail is a classic day trip from Malaga, I recommend organising your overnight stay in the city by following our tips on where to stay in Malaga.
Anything else to know?
- Walking boots and comfortable clothing are strongly recommended.
- At the start you will be provided with a protective helmet
- The ticket includes insurance.
- There are no toilets along the route.
- In the event of heavy rain or strong winds, departures may be cancelled.
