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Before exploring the Caminito del Rey It’s worth being clear about a few things: where it starts, how to book it, how long it takes, and what you can and can’t take with you. These are simple details, but they make all the difference between a comfortable visit and a setback halfway through.
The route runs through the Gaitanes Gorge, a canyon with vertical walls in the north of the province of Málaga. If you’d rather go without having to worry about the logistics —car, parking, transport between the start and end points, timetables— you can sort it out with a excursion to the Caminito del Rey from Malaga, with transport and a guide included.
And just to clarify one thing straight away, as it causes a lot of confusion: the Caminito del Rey was considered one of the most dangerous trails in the world, but that was before its reopening in 2015. The current path has been fully upgraded, with new walkways and handrails, and it is a safe route low difficulty.
It is situated in the north of the province of Málaga, between the municipalities of Ardales, Antequera and Álora, nestled in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a gorge carved out by the River Guadalhorce. It lies 60 kilometres from Málaga city centre —about a 50-minute drive— and 137 from Granada, making it a convenient day trip.
The area forms part of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Nature Reserve, alongside the Guadalhorce and Guadalteba reservoirs. The route links the area of Ardales, to the north, with the hamlet of El Chorro, in Álora, in the south. It is essential to distinguish between the two endpoints from the outset, because the start and end points do not coincide.
From Málaga, take the road towards Ardales; the route is well signposted and takes about 50 minutes. The reference number for the northern entrance is El Kiosko Restaurant, where the approach path begins. There, you can park in the nearby car parks or at the official car park, at €2 a day, which was set up shortly before we arrived at the restaurant.
The other option is parking in El Chorro, the southern entrance, where there are several areas of free parking, and take the shuttle bus to the northern entrance. As the route is linear, this is usually the most practical option: you leave your car where you’ll be finishing and use the shuttle bus for the outward journey only.
In either case you’ll have to take the shuttle bus, either before or after the walk, so make sure you leave in good time: the two entry points are quite a distance apart.
There are regional trains from the station at Málaga to María Zambrano, with a stop at El Chorro. The journey takes about 40 minutes and prices start at around €5 return. It is advisable to check the timetables on the Renfe website, selecting El Chorro as your destination.
When you get off the train, the shuttle bus stop is about 100 metres. Please note that El Chorro is the southern entrance, where the Caminito ends, so the shuttle will take you north to get you started.
This is the section that confuses independent travellers the most. It links El Chorro with the northern access point; it’s a bit of a climb €2 each way and takes between 15 and 20 minutes. Two important notices: carry cash, and check the times on the day itself, as they determine what time you need to set off from El Chorro to arrive in time for your entry slot.
It’s the most convenient option, as it sorts out transport, parking and coordination between the two ends in one go. It includes a coach from Málaga and various locations along the Costa del Sol, guaranteed admission, an official guide throughout the tour and, above all, it drops you off at the northern entrance and picks you up at the southern entrance.
The Caminito del Rey opens all year round, Tuesday to Sunday, and is closed on Mondays, except on special occasions. It is closed on 1 January and on 24, 25 and 31 December.
General admission costs €10 per person Ages 8 and over. It is essential to understand two things: You cannot enter without a prior booking —tickets are not sold at the checkpoints— and places are limited per time slot, so that they usually sell out on the very day they go on sale on the official website. It is advisable to check prices and availability before organising your trip.
If you run out of tickets, there are two options. The tickets with guided tour from El Chorro include admission, the shuttle bus, a bottle of water and a guide throughout the tour. And if you don’t have your own transport, the day trip from Málaga Add return transport.
The full itinerary is as follows: 7.7 kilometres. The walkways have one metre wide and reach the 105 metres high on the riverbed. It is a a straight, one-way path: The route is followed in a downward direction, from the northern entrance in Ardales to the southern entrance in El Chorro. It cannot be done in the opposite direction, nor can you turn back halfway.
There are two routes from El Kiosko to the checkpoint at the northern entrance, and choosing one or the other makes quite a difference to the journey time:
The two of them arrive at the checkpoint, situated at the Gaitanejo Hydroelectric Power Station. There, you show your ticket – either on paper or on your mobile – and they give you a protective helmet with a medical cap to put underneath for hygiene reasons.
From the northern entrance to the exit there is almost 3 kilometres: 1.5 km of footbridges and 1.5 km of riverside path. It takes about 2 hours walking at a leisurely pace until we crossed the suspension bridge, and from there it’s about 2 kilometres downhill to El Chorro, where you return your helmet at the checkpoint.
The total duration is 3 to 4 hours depending on your pace. The technical difficulty is low and the gradient is gentle and downhill, although there are sections through woodland and a few flights of steps. It’s not a route to rush through. You can find out more about the route in our dedicated guide.
If you don't want to worry about transport:
You don’t need mountaineering kit, but you do need to be prepared:
The space is narrow, so anything that might fall into the gorge or obstruct the passage is ruled out. Furthermore, There are no ticket offices There’s nowhere to leave your belongings, so it’s best not to bring them. The following are not permitted:
The A helmet is compulsory throughout the entire route and must be handed in at the entrance. The reason is simple: the walls are made of rock and, although the path has been prepared, this protects against any occasional rockfalls. For the same reason, you are not allowed to lean over the railings to take photographs.
It can be done as a family, but there is one rule to which there are no exceptions: Children under the age of 8 are not permitted entry. Please check this before booking.
If you have children of this age, please bear in mind that:
Access with animals is not permitted, due to the nature of the facilities: narrow walkways, grating on the floor in some sections, and helmets are compulsory.
If you’re travelling with your dog, make arrangements for its care whilst you’re away, whether at a day-care centre or with a local dog-sitter, and Never leave it in the car, especially during the hot summer months. Plan ahead to avoid being turned away on the day of your booking.
On the best time of year, spring and autumn They offer more pleasant temperatures and are less crowded than in the height of summer, when the heat on the exposed sections really makes itself felt. If you can only go in summer, choose the early morning hours.
Two articles that address the most common queries: Is the Caminito del Rey dangerous? y Where to eat at the Caminito del Rey, as there are no places to eat along the route.
These are the options available, with and without transport from Málaga and the Costa del Sol:
General admission costs €10 per person aged 8 and over, and tickets can only be purchased by booking in advance: tickets are not sold at the entry points. Places are limited per time slot and usually sell out on the same day they go on sale, so it’s advisable to book in advance and check the price on the official website.
Between 3 and 4 hours, depending on your pace, for a total distance of 7.7 kilometres. Of these, 1.5 kilometres are along the footbridges and the rest along the approach and descent paths. The route is one-way, from north to south, from Ardales to El Chorro.
No. It was once considered one of the most dangerous trails in the world, but that was before it reopened in 2015. The current trail is fully equipped with new footbridges and handrails; a helmet is compulsory and the technical difficulty is low. It is, however, an exposed route at height, with the footbridges 105 metres above the riverbed – something to bear in mind if you suffer from vertigo.
Yes, but children under the age of 8 are not permitted. Children must be accompanied by an adult and carry their own ID, and it is forbidden to carry them in your arms or enter with bulky rucksacks.
It connects El Chorro (the southern entrance) with the northern entrance, next to the El Kiosko restaurant. It costs €2 each way, takes between 15 and 20 minutes, and you must pay in cash. The stop is about 200 metres from the end of the route, next to El Chorro railway station. You’ll need to use it whether you park at the north or south end, as the route is a straight line.
There are no toilets along the route: they are located next to the El Kiosko restaurant and at the ticket offices at the north and south entrances. There is also no mobile phone signal or Wi-Fi inside the gorge, so it’s a good idea to download your ticket before you arrive.
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