Guide to Caminito del Rey

Estimated reading time: 21 minutes

Last updated: May 2026

There’s a moment, about halfway along the Caminito del Rey, when the gorge walls close in to just ten metres apart and the wooden walkway beneath your feet seems to be the only thing between you and a very long drop. You look ahead, not down. You keep walking. That’s when you understand why people come from all over the world for this.

The Caminito del Rey (literally the King’s Little Path) clings to the sheer walls of the Gaitanes Gorge, 100 metres above the Guadalhorce River, for nearly eight kilometres through some of the most dramatic scenery in Andalusia. For decades it lay abandoned and genuinely dangerous; climbers died attempting it. Since its painstaking restoration and reopening in 2015, it’s become one of the most popular attractions in Malaga province and one of the few places in southern Spain where the reality genuinely outpaces the marketing.

The good news: it’s not as terrifying as its history suggests. Safety barriers, a steel cable to grip, hard hats, and regular attendants mean that even members of our party who don’t love heights made it across the suspension bridge at the end, abeit slightly shaky-legged. The walk is dramatic, not reckless and you won’t want to miss the scenery.

We’ve walked it ourselves and answered every question we wished we’d had before we went – from buying tickets before they sell out, to exactly which train to catch from Malaga.

When to go

The Caminito del Rey is open year-round, but the time of year makes a real difference to the experience.

Spring (March to May) is, we think, the sweet spot. The gorge is green, the temperature is comfortable for walking, and the crowds, while busy, haven’t yet hit peak summer levels. Wildflowers line the access paths and the river runs with water after winter rains. If your holiday plans have any flexibility, aim for here.

Autumn (September to November) comes a close second to spring. The summer heat has backed off, the light is golden and softer, and you’ll find it noticeably quieter on the walkway than you would in July or August. Late September and October are particularly good.

Summer (June to August) is doable but comes with caveats. The gorge is genuinely hot, the rock walls trap heat and there’s little shade on the walkway itself. Go early (the first time slot of the day if you can get it) and take more water than you think you need. Weekends in August are busy; a Tuesday or Wednesday will give you a calmer experience.

Winter (December to February) is the hidden gem for those who don’t mind wrapping up. Visitor numbers drop sharply, the light on the gorge walls is dramatic, and you’ll likely have stretches of the walkway almost to yourself. The flip side: the wind through the gorge in winter is bitingly cold. Pack layers!

A note on weekends year-round: tickets go faster and the walkway feels more crowded regardless of season. If you can visit on a weekday, do.

What you’ll see along the Caminito del Rey

The walk runs north to south, starting near Ardales and finishing at El Chorro station. The total distance is 8km and most people take between 3 and 4 hours. Here’s what to expect on each section of the route.

The access path (2.7km)

Before the official walkway even begins, a forested trail leads you alongside the Guadalhorce river. The highlight here is the Gothic Arc, a dramatic circular hollow eroded into the sandstone cliff by centuries of wind and water. Look up from the dense riverside vegetation and you might see your first vultures.

The reception booth

This is where the official route starts. You present your ticket, show your ID, collect your hard hat and join your entry group. The old hydroelectric substation building beside it is worth a moment’s attention – it’s one of the oldest of its kind in Spain, and sets the scene for the industrial history you’ll encounter throughout the walk.

First gorge: Gaitanejo

The walls close in to barely ten metres apart and the boardwalk begins. Nothing quite prepares you for the scale of it. Glance down at the wooden boards underfoot – the distance walked is carved into them every 50 metres. Tick them off on a countdown if you need some motivation!

El Soto

Between the first and second gorges the canyon opens into a green valley, something of a wildlife sanctuary. Look up again and you’ll almost certainly spot vultures circling above. There’s also a small Neolithic cave tucked into the left-hand wall as you leave the first gorge, used by hunters around 5,000 BC. Easy to walk straight past, but worth knowing it’s there.

Second gorge: Tajo de las Palomas

The route crosses a narrow bridge, the same one King Alfonso XIII crossed in 1921, the visit that gave the whole walk its name. Further along, the Rocas Llanas viewpoint opens up a wide panorama of the surrounding cliffs, the rock face stained deep orange with iron oxide. The enormous wall of the Tajo de Ballesteros dominates the view ahead, speckled with caves that shelter a large vulture colony. Look for them riding the thermals overhead.

Valle del Hoyo

The river slows, the valley broadens, and the walk takes on a different character, becoming quieter, greener and more sheltered. There are shaded rest areas along this stretch and this is the place to stop, and drink and eat something if you’ve brought provisions. This spot is roughly halfway.

Third gorge: Desfiladero de los Gaitanes

This is where the drama really begins! The suspended boardwalk clings to overhanging walls more than a hundred metres above the river, with the gorge rising a further 250 metres above your head.

Two moments stand out: the Glass Balcony, a transparent platform that projects out from the cliff and gives you an unobstructed view straight down into the void below; and the hanging bridge near the end, 35 metres long and strung 105 metres above the river, with a metal grid underfoot that leaves nothing to the imagination. Both are entirely safe. Both will make your legs feel a little wobbley.

The exit path (2.1km)

Once you’re over the bridge, a final boardwalk and stairway wind down past the old village of El Chorro to the helmet return cabin and the station below, where the shuttle bus or the train back to Malaga is waiting.

How to get the best photos

The Caminito del Rey is photogenic with a capital P, what with its dramatic gorge walls, vertiginous drops, extraordinary light and wobbley-leg moments. But getting good shots takes a bit of thought.

The hard hat problem. Let’s be honest about this upfront: the hard hats are not flattering. They’re white and bulky, and have the tendency to slip. We speak from experience – our younger daughter’s hat was lop-sided in every single photo. Sort it out before you set off and keep checking it. It makes more difference than you’d think.

Go early or go late. The gorge runs roughly north to south, which means the light inside it changes significantly through the day. Morning light filters into the Gaitanejo gorge first; the deeper Desfiladero de los Gaitanes catches better light in the afternoon. The first entry slot of the day also means fewer people on the boardwalk behind you in shots – worth considering, especially in summer.

Look up as much as down. The instinct is to photograph the drop, and yes, that shot is worth taking. But some of the best images on this walk come from pointing the camera upward — the gorge walls rising 250 metres, vultures circling on thermals, the railway viaducts threading improbably through the rock.

Phone or camera? A phone with a decent wide-angle lens handles the gorge shots well — the narrow width of the canyon actually works in your favour. If you carry a dedicated camera, keep it accessible rather than in a bag; the best moments come and go quickly and you won’t want to be rummaging around on a narrow boardwalk. A wrist strap is worth the investment.

Don’t stop on the narrow sections. This is practical as much as photographic because the boardwalk has passing places and the narrower stretches are not the place to set up a shot while other walkers queue behind you. Be a considerate visitor and move to a wider point or a viewpoint before stopping.

Questions about getting to and from the Caminito del Rey

How do I get there by car?

From Malaga take the A-357 to Ardales. Once you pass the village (on your left), turn right and follow signposts to ‘Los Embalses’. This winding road takes you to the lakes/ reservoirs.

You have two options to park your car:

1. At the Visitors Centre (centro de visitantes), open 8am to 5pm, cost €2. From here, you can get the shuttle bus to the start of the walk (€2.50 valid both ways and all day). The journey takes 15-20 minutes.
   You can book your parking space and bus ticket when you buy your Caminito del Rey tickets. The bus drops you off at the tunnel. Car park P on map below.
2. Or park near the restaurants and walk to a tunnel with a green sign ‘Caminito del Rey 1.5km’. Car park P1 in map below.

Go through the tunnel (with wooden boards and fully-illuminated) and follow the track round until you reach the start of the walk.

How do I get there on public transport?

Yes, if you fit your visit in with train times. There are 5 trains a day in each direction:

Regional trains

The fastest trains from Malaga central station (Málaga Maria Zambrano) to El Chorro leave at 9.16am, 1.34pm and 5.15pm, taking 60 minutes. The quickest returning to Malaga from El Chorro leave at 9.20am, 10.47am, 12.52am and 8.53pm, also taking 60 minutes. There are also two other much slower trains daily in each direction (from Malaga at 9.43am and 5.43pm; from El Chorro, 9.54am and 5.52pm), taking 90 minutes. A return ticket costs around €10.

You can book train tickets for the Caminito del Rey online via the Renfe website.

When you arrive at El Chorro station, look for the Caminito del Rey bus stop just outside and take it to the start of the walk.

Book your Caminito del Rey ticket for a 10.30 or 11am slot, complete the walk and then get the train back.

How do I get from one end to another?

Shuttle buses link the two ends of the walk. They run roughly every 30 to 50 minutes on a first-come-first-served basis so you may not get on the first bus that comes along. The journey costs €2.50 and takes about 15 minutes. You can buy a ticket for the walk with the bus trip linked to it – we think this is a great idea. The buses run every 30 minutes from 8.30am to 4.30pm. 

Questions about the Caminito del Rey walkway itself

Is it dangerous?

Compared to the original walkway, not at all! But there is a degree of danger because after all, the walk runs 100m above the gorge. That said, we felt very safe throughout the walk. A steel mesh fence runs along the entire walkway and there’s along a steel cable on the cliff side to hold on to if you wish. Cameras, alarm posts and attendants are placed along the walk so help at hand if needed. You’re also equipped with a hard hat.

Can you look down?

If you have any sort of fear of heights (see question below), then don’t look down because when you walk through the gorge the drop down is sheer and long. Do look up and ahead because the scenery is magnificent.

What about if you’re afraid of heights?

Two people in our party have issues with heights but they both managed the walk more or less easily. They said they felt safe throughout and even managed to look down a couple of times. The suspension bridge at the end was a real challenge for them (the high winds didn’t help) but they made it. However, this isn’t a walk if you suffer from vertigo.

Is it suitable for children?

Children under 8 are not allowed to go on the walk. For over 8s, we think it’s a great experience.

Questions about walking the Caminito del Rey

How long does it take?

The total length is nearly 8km so you can in theory finish it in less than 2 hours. However, this is a walk to be savoured – the scenery and engineering are amazing – so you’ll probably take longer. We took 3 and a half hours, which included stopping for photos and to read the information panels on the way.

Is it a hard walk?

No, but it isn’t a stroll either. It’s practically all flat except for some steep steps at the end.

What about food and drink?

There’s nothing en route so take your own. The middle section (non-walkway) has some nice spots for a picnic if you’re making a day of it. There are several restaurants at both ends for lunch.

What sort of clothing should I wear?

Sturdy footwear such as trainers or walking boots. The regulations say that visitors in flipflops or high heels won’t be allowed on the walkway. If you’re visiting in the summer, take a hat to protect yourself from the sun and in the winter, take some warm layers – the wind blows very cold down the gorge!

Are there toilets on the way?

No, but there are toilets at the start and finish.

How to get Caminito del Rey tickets

How do I book?

One of the biggest challenges for this walk can be getting tickets! They can only be booked via the website and once they’re released, they go very quickly, although availability has improved a lot over the last few months.

Check the website regularly for new booking windows or contact the tourist offices in Álora or Ardales to see if they have tickets.

What do I need to book?

To book you need to register on the site with an email address and password. Once you’ve registered, you must provide your full name and the number on your identification document (passport or national ID card) when you book. You must show this document when you arrive to start the walk.

What does it cost?

The Caminito del Rey costs €10. We think this is good value for one of the prime attractions in Malaga and well worth the price of a ticket. When you book online you have the option to buy the bus ticket (€2.50) at the same time. Handy if you’re planning to get the bus from one end to the other.

Do I have to book far in advance?

As one of the most popular things to do in Malaga, tickets get sold out quickly. The website offers limited availability too so it pays to plan ahead and book in time to be sure of a visit.

Can we do a guided tour?

Some tour companies offer guided tours of Caminito del Rey and you can also book them via the website. They take place in English on weekdays at 10am and 1pm, and on weekends at 10am, 1pm and 1.30pm. They cost €18 (€19.55 with bus ticket included). We haven’t been on a guided tour ourselves but we know several people who have and they highly recommend them. You get a unique insight into the history of the Caminito and its geology and fauna.

You can also take a guided tour from Malaga that includes the bus trip there and back as well as entry to Caminito del Rey. This sort of tour costs from around €90. 

Where can I stay at El Caminito del Rey?

What if you want to make a weekend of it to enjoy the gorge walk and explore the area while you’re there? The good news is that there are some excellent accommodation options in El Chorro, such as:

Complejo Turístico Rural La Garganta – this hotel sits up the hill from the station and its rooms have commanding views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains. Decoration is rustic in keeping with the hotel’s previous life as an early 19th-century flour mill. The best rooms have terraces with those views. Extras include a good restaurant and outdoor pool. Book your stay now.

La Barbería de Miguel – this self-catering option is also handy for access to Caminito del Rey and has commanding views of the countryside. The cottage sleeps four people (two on sofa-bed) but is probably better suited for two. It comes fully equipped. Book your stay now.

Questions about the history of Caminito del Rey

What is the origin of the walkway?

The Gaitanes Gorge (Desfiladero de los Gaitanes in Spanish) carved by the Guadalhorce River – just 10 metres wide at some points and 700 metres high – is an essential part of communications and the water and electricity supplies in Malaga.

In 1866, the railway line connecting Cordoba and Malaga via the gorge was completed and a hydroelectric station at El Chorro was built shortly afterwards. At the beginning of the 1900s, a walkway was installed along the gorge so that local people could easily get from one end to the other.

Why’s it called the King’s walkway?

It’s named after King Alfonso XIII who walked along it in 1921 when he placed the last stone on the reservoir dam. A white stone seat and plaque commemorate the occasion – see this on the right as you cross the road over the reservoir. The walkway has just celebrated its centenary!

Why was it closed?

When you walk the Caminito del Rey, the answer’s obvious – the old path became extremely dangerous from rain erosion and lack of repair. So dangerous in fact that several climbers were killed while attempting to walk it. The walkway was closed in 1990.

When did it open again?

In March 2015 the walkway was finally opened to the public again. It took several years of ambitious engineering – some stretches of the walkway had to be put in place by helicopter – and 2.24 million euros to restore the Caminito del Rey to its former glory.

Questions about the area

The Caminito del Rey is in one of the most dramatic parts of Malaga province where there’s plenty to do besides walk the walk:

Visit the lakes – combine your walk with a day out at the lakes. Relax on the beaches and take a turn on the water in a kayak or pedalo. Read about a Day at the Lakes.

Discover Ardales – a pretty little village with some great caves (get tickets for a guided tour at the museum) and lovely tapas bars.

Explore Bobastro – a medieval Christian Basilica built a rebel Moor in the middle of nowhere. Read all about it here.

Does Caminito del Rey live up to the media hype?

Caminito del Rey isn’t the world’s most dangerous walk – it’s actually safe – but it definitely counts as one of the most spectacular. And being 100m up on a wooden walkway does come with a certain adrenaline rush. It makes a great day out and we certainly recommend it as a must-do activity for anyone on holiday in Malaga.

Any new developments at Caminito del Rey?

More than a decade after opening the gorge walk, the provincial authorities have several upgrades in the pipeline. The most significant is a new suspension bridge at the end, measuring 110m and sitting 50m above the gorge. It opened in early summer 2026 and is one of the longest in Spain and provides an alternative exit to the walk. The bridge has been a real feat of engineering, involving helicopters to instal the parts.

You might also like

A day at the lakes in Malaga The Caminito del Rey sits right on the edge of the Guadalhorce lakes. If you’ve got a car, it’s worth making a full day of it – beaches, kayaks, pedalos and some genuinely beautiful scenery.

A day trip to Ronda from Malaga Another dramatic provincial classic. Ronda’s gorge isn’t quite 100 metres below your feet, but the Puente Nuevo comes close and there’s a gorge walk. A natural follow-up for anyone who liked the vertigo.

Guide to visiting the Axarquía If the landscape around El Chorro left you wanting more of rural Málaga province, the Axarquía delivers. Think white villages, dramatic hill country and far fewer crowds than the coast.

A day trip to Granada from Malaga For when you want something completely different after a day in the gorge. Granada is just over an hour away and makes one of the best day trips in Andalucía.

Ideas for day trips from Malaga Not sure what to do next? This is the full run-down of everything worth doing within reach of the city.

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