A century ago, only power-station workers dared to cross these cliffs. Today, you can walk them with a helmet on and your heart in your mouth.
El Caminito del Rey is a walkway pinned to the vertical walls of the Gaitanes Gorge, more than 100 metres above the Guadalhorce River. It lies about 60 km, or an hour’s drive, inland from Málaga, between the villages of Ardales and El Chorro, and it’s one of the most popular day trips in Andalusia. In this article you’ll find everything you need to plan your visit: how to get Caminito del Rey tickets, how the one way route and the shuttle bus work, what to wear and which tours are worth booking.
💰 Casa Rural La Teja (Caminito del Rey) - A holiday home with its own pool in the countryside around El Chorro.
🏨 Complejo Turístico La Garganta - A hotel in an 1827 flour mill at the end of the walk in El Chorro.
💎 El Charcón Caminito del Rey y Vacaciones - A peaceful rural retreat about 1.6 km from the trail.
What is the Caminito del Rey?
El Caminito del Rey (the King’s Little Path) is a 7.7 km hiking route through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, also called the Gaitanes Gorge. It’s a protected natural area in the north of Málaga province. The famous part is the boardwalk section, which hugs the steep cliffs of three canyons and crosses the gorge on a suspension bridge. The rest of the route follows access paths through pine woods and along the turquoise Guadalhorce reservoirs.
For years, it was known as the most dangerous walkway in the world. The old path was a dangerous trail, a narrow concrete ledge with missing sections and rusty rails, and climbers crossed it clipped to steel cables. The new boardwalk runs just above the original path, so you can still see the crumbling ledge below your feet. That view alone explains its deadly reputation.
Today El Caminito del Rey in Spain is a safe, well-managed walk. You don’t need climbing experience or a harness, only a ticket for a specific time slot, comfortable shoes and a head for heights. The gorge has some of the most impressive landscapes in southern Spain, and the walk is short enough to fit into a single day.
A short history of the King’s Little Path
The path was built between 1901 and 1905 for the Sociedad Hidroeléctrica del Chorro, the company that ran the hydroelectric power station at El Chorro. Its workers used it to reach the water channel and the dams, and to move materials between the Gaitanejo and El Chorro falls. Engineer Rafael Benjumea designed both the power system and the route itself.
In 1921 King Alfonso XIII crossed the walkway along the steep cliffs on his way to inaugurate the Conde del Guadalhorce dam. From that day the route was called the Camino del Rey, or the Caminito del Rey. You’ll still find both names in guidebooks and on Google Maps.
Over the decades the original path fell apart. It became a magnet for climbers and thrill-seekers, and several people died on it in the late 1990s. The local government officially closed both entrances in 2001, although some daredevils kept sneaking in.
Restoration work started in 2014, with a new boardwalk, handrails, bridges and the Visitors Reception Centre near Ardales. El Caminito del Rey reopened in March 2015 and became an instant hit. Visitor numbers are now capped every day, which keeps the narrow boardwalks pleasant and safe.
Caminito del Rey tickets - how to book
You can’t just turn up at El Caminito del Rey. Every visitor needs a ticket with a fixed visit date and entry time, and staff at the control booth check them before letting you in. Tickets for Caminito del Rey often sell out weeks ahead, especially for weekends, Easter and the high season from spring to autumn.
There are two main ways to book. The first is a standard entry ticket for a self-guided walk. The second is a guided tour, where a certified guide walks with your group and explains the history, geology and wildlife of the gorge. Many guided tours also include transport from the Costa del Sol, which solves the trickiest part of the day - getting there and back.
If your dates look full, don’t give up. Tour operators hold their own allocations, so a guided tour or a day trip from Málaga often still has places when standard tickets are gone. Weekdays are always easier than weekends. Buy tickets online as early as you can. Check whether your chosen option offers free cancellation before you pay, as conditions vary from product to product.
A ticket gives you a time slot, not a whole day. You must reach the north entrance at your booked time, so allow plenty of time for parking, the shuttle and the walk to the start point. Staff won’t hold your slot if you turn up late at the start point.
When is the Caminito del Rey open?
El Caminito del Rey is open from Tuesday to Sunday all year round. It’s closed on Mondays (with a few exceptions in summer) and on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Opening hours are longer in summer and shorter in winter, with winter hours starting at the end of October.
The walk can close at short notice in heavy rain or strong wind, as falling rocks and gusts are a real danger on the boardwalk. If the weather looks bad, keep an eye on your email for updates from your ticket provider.
Best time to walk the Caminito del Rey
Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) are ideal, with April, May, September and October the sweet spot. The temperatures are pleasant, the gorge is green and the light is soft. Summer is popular, but the second half of the route is exposed to the sun and it can be over 35°C in July and August. If you go in summer, pick the earliest time slot you can find and bring plenty of water.
Winter brings fewer crowds and is often sunny, but mornings can be chilly in the gorge. A light jacket is enough on most days.
The route - what to expect on the walk
El Caminito del Rey is a one way route. You start at the north entrance near Ardales and finish at El Chorro in the south. You can’t turn round and walk back the way you came, so you’ll need the shuttle bus or a tour to return to your car.
The whole Caminito del Rey trail is 7.7 km long, from the start point near the reservoirs to the end point in El Chorro. It includes 4.8 km of access paths and 2.9 km of the controlled section, where you wear a helmet. Within that section, about 1.5 km is wooden boardwalk and the rest is forest path. Plan for three to four hours in total, including the walk to the entrance and the walk out to El Chorro.
From the car park to the north entrance
The start of the walk is near El Kiosko restaurant, beside the Guadalhorce reservoirs. From there you have two options to reach the control booth: a 1.5 km route through a pedestrian tunnel or a 2.7 km forest trail. The tunnel is shorter and flatter, while the trail is prettier and has views of the lakes.
At the control booth you show your ticket, get a short safety briefing and pick up a helmet and a disposable hairnet. The helmet stays on until the end of the controlled section.
Gaitanejo Gorge
The first canyon, the Gaitanejo Gorge, is the most dramatic start you can imagine. The walls rise almost vertically and in places they’re only about 10 metres apart. The boardwalk clings to the rock, and below it you’ll see the old path and the river rushing through the narrow gap.
Tajo de las Palomas and Valle del Hoyo
Next you cross the Puente del Rey, a small bridge over the gorge, and enter the Tajo de las Palomas. After that the canyon opens into the Valle del Hoyo, a wide valley with pines, wild boar tracks and views of the Sierra Parda. This part is an easy walk on a forest path, with benches and information panels about the old canal.
Look up and you may spot griffon vultures circling over the cliffs. Ibex also live on the rocky slopes, though they’re harder to see.
Desfiladero de los Gaitanes and the hanging bridge
The final section is the highlight. The boardwalk returns to the cliffs of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes and runs along the south wall, high above the railway line. On the way you’ll pass a glass balcony, a viewpoint with a transparent floor where you can look straight down into the gorge.
Then comes the hanging bridge, the famous suspension bridge that crosses the gorge about 105 metres above the river. It sways slightly as you walk, and that’s the part you’ll remember. If you suffer from vertigo, keep your eyes on the end point rather than the drop - most people who are nervous at the start enjoy it by the time they reach the other side.
The end point at El Chorro
After the bridge, the exit boardwalk leads you out of the gorge. The last stretch is a 2 km downhill walk along a track to the village of El Chorro, where you return your helmet at a small cabin. From there it’s a short walk to the shuttle bus stop and El Chorro railway station.
How difficult is the Caminito del Rey hike?
The Caminito del Rey hike is graded moderate. The path is well maintained, the boardwalks are wide enough for one person and there are handrails all the way. Most reasonably fit adults and children aged 8 and over manage it without trouble.
The real challenge is the height, not the effort. Parts of the walkway are more than 100 metres above the river, and the narrow path can feel exposed. If you’re unsure, remember that you can’t turn back once you’re inside the controlled section, so be honest with yourself before you book.
The access walks add some distance, and the route back to El Chorro is mostly downhill. Starting at the north entrance means the walk runs gently downhill overall, which makes it easier than the old south-to-north direction.
Rules and what to wear
El Caminito del Rey has strict safety standards, and staff do turn people away. Read these rules before you go:
- Minimum age is 8. Children must carry an official ID proving their age.
- Wear closed shoes with a good grip. Trainers or light walking shoes are perfect. Flip-flops, sandals and heels aren’t allowed, and heavy hiking boots aren’t necessary.
- No sticks of any kind. Selfie sticks, walking poles, tripods and umbrellas are banned. Drones are also prohibited.
- Bring only a small backpack. Large rucksacks don’t fit comfortably on the boardwalk.
- No dogs and no smoking on the route.
- Keep your helmet on for the whole controlled section.
There are no toilets on El Caminito del Rey itself, so use the facilities at the car park or El Kiosko before you start. Bring food and at least 1.5 litres of water per person, plus sun cream and a hat in summer. There are no shops between the entrance and El Chorro.
How to get to the Caminito del Rey from Málaga
The Caminito del Rey from Malaga is an easy day trip, from Málaga itself or from anywhere along the Costa del Sol. You can drive yourself, take the train, or join an organised tour that includes the transport and the entry. Which one suits you depends on how much freedom you want and how early you’re happy to start.
By car
From Málaga, it takes about an hour to drive to the north entrance via the A-357. The main car park is at the Visitors Reception Centre near Ardales, and there’s a smaller parking area by El Kiosko restaurant. Both fill up early at weekends, so arrive in good time. If you’re staying on the Costa del Sol without your own transport, car hire gives you the most flexibility to combine the walk with other sights inland.
Because the route is one way, you’ll finish a long way from your car. The most common plan is to park at the north end, walk the route and take the shuttle back from El Chorro. Alternatively, park in El Chorro, take the shuttle to the start and walk back to your car.
The shuttle bus
The shuttle bus connects El Chorro with the north access and runs roughly every 30 minutes during the day. It isn’t run by El Caminito del Rey itself, but you can usually add a shuttle ticket when you book your entry or pay the driver in cash. The ride takes around 15-20 minutes.
Arrive at least an hour before your time slot, or 90 minutes in high season. Queuing for the shuttle and walking from the car park to the entrance take longer than most people expect.
By train to El Chorro station
If you don’t drive, the train works well. Trains run from María Zambrano station in Málaga to El Chorro station in about 40 minutes, and you can book train tickets online. There are only a few trains a day, so check the train times carefully and choose your time slot to match.
At El Chorro railway station, the shuttle bus stop is right next to the platform. Take the shuttle to the north entrance, walk the Caminito del Rey, and you’ll finish back in El Chorro, a short walk from the station.
Caminito del Rey tours and day trips
A guided tour is the easiest way to visit, especially from the coast. Most day trips pick you up at your hotel or a central meeting point in Málaga, Benalmádena, Torremolinos or Fuengirola, include the entry ticket and the guide, and bring you back in the afternoon. You don’t have to worry about parking, the shuttle or train times.
There are also longer tours from Seville and Granada, though they mean a lot of time on the road. When booking tours, look at recent reviews, the group size and whether the shuttle and water are included.
Is the Caminito del Rey worth it?
Absolutely. El Caminito del Rey is one of the most spectacular walks in Spain, and few places let you stand so close to such a deep gorge in total safety. The scenery changes all the time, from narrow canyons to wide valleys and turquoise lakes, so the three or four hours fly by.
It’s also good value for a day out. You can combine it with a swim in the reservoirs, lunch at El Chorro and a sunset drive back to the coast. If you love nature, history or simply great photos, it deserves a place on your itinerary.
What to see near the Caminito del Rey
The area around the gorge is worth exploring if you have extra time. The Cueva de Ardales is a cave with Palaeolithic paintings, open for guided visits in small groups. Near El Chorro you’ll find the ruins of Bobastro, a church carved into the rock in the 10th century, and the Necropolis of Las Aguilillas.
The Guadalhorce reservoirs have pine-shaded picnic spots, and El Chorro is one of the best rock-climbing areas in Europe. A little further east, the limestone maze of El Torcal de Antequera makes a great second stop on the drive back to Málaga. If you’re based on the coast, you can also pair the trip with whitewashed Mijas or the caves of Nerja on another day.
Practical information
- Tickets for the Caminito del Rey are best bought in advance. That way you won’t be turned away at the gate or find every time slot sold out.
- Address: Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, 29550 Ardales, Málaga (north entrance)
- Buy tickets on GetYourGuide
Hotels near the Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey is about an hour’s drive from Málaga, so staying nearby lets you start early, when the gorge is cooler and quieter. El Chorro has a handful of rural places to stay, all within easy reach of the trail and the shuttle bus.
💰 Casa Rural La Teja (Caminito del Rey)
A self-catering holiday home in the countryside around El Chorro, ideal for families and small groups. It has its own seasonal outdoor pool, a garden and a barbecue, so you can cool off after the walk and cook dinner on the terrace. Free private parking makes it easy to drive to the north entrance first thing in the morning. A good pick if you want space and privacy at a reasonable cost per person.
🏨 Complejo Turístico La Garganta
A hotel in a converted 1827 flour mill in the village of El Chorro, right at the southern end of the Caminito del Rey. The rooms are traditionally styled, with high ceilings, and many have views of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. There’s a pool and a restaurant with a terrace, and the shuttle bus and El Chorro railway station are a short walk away. Perfect if you want to walk out of the gorge and straight into your hotel.
💎 El Charcón Caminito del Rey y Vacaciones
A peaceful rural property in El Chorro, about 1.6 km from the Caminito del Rey, surrounded by mountains and the Guadalhorce valley. The units have fully equipped kitchens, satellite TV and pool views, and there’s free Wi-Fi and private parking. It’s a lovely choice if you’d like to combine the walk with a few quiet days in the Málaga countryside, swimming, reading and watching the vultures circle over the cliffs.
