The Tajo de Ronda Gorge: how to visit it

The Tajo Gorge Trail goes down to the base of the “Puente Nuevo”, from inside the gorge. It’s the opposite perspective to the one you’ve always had: instead of leaning over the precipice, you look up at it from below.

It opened in April 2024 and it’s still operating at reduced capacity. Here’s all the practical information, and I’ll start with the most frustrating bit.

 If you are visiting with children, read this before going down

Children under the age of 8 are not permitted entry. No exceptions.

The problem is that The entry control is downstairs, at the bottom of the slope leading down from María Auxiliadora Square. Some families walk all the way down only to find that their child can’t get through; the usual solution ends up being for one of the two adults to go in whilst the other stays outside to wait.

And you must bring the following documents: Those aged 8 and over must present Original National Identity Card or Family Register to prove their age, and to be accompanied by an adult.

Nor is it accessible: It is not accessible to wheelchair users or pushchairs, because they would hinder an evacuation.

 

Tickets, prices and timetables

• Price: €12. Maximum 4 tickets per purchase.
• Capacity: 30 people per hour. That’s why you need to book in advance.
• Where: on the official website, desfiladerodeltajo.info. There are also QR codes displayed in various establishments in Ronda.
• Residents registered in Ronda: free of charge and without a prior booking, on presentation of your national identity card.

 

They are open from Monday to Sunday; opening times can be found in the official website

Please note the access cut-off time: It does not match the closing time. Admission ends one hour before each session closes, so don’t leave it until the last minute.

Confirm the time on the day itself on the official website: the footpath may close due to rain or a rising river, which is quite common in winter.

What’s the route like, plain and simple?

 

It is a 250-metre-long footbridge from María Auxiliadora Square to the foot of the bridge, clinging to the rock a few metres from the Guadalevín. It follows the route of a path that was cleared in the 18th century to transport materials uphill during the construction of the Puente Nuevo.

Let’s be clear about the duration: The return journey takes 30 minutes, and some people cover it in ten. It’s short. If you’re expecting a long route like the Caminito del Rey, this isn’t it: people come here specifically to see the bridge from its base and to admire the river’s pools and waterfalls.

Along the way there are QR codes with information and viewing points overlooking the Hoya del Tajo. From certain vantage points, you can see the three bridges in Ronda: the New, the Old and the Roman.

The gorge, in figures

• More than 100 metres deep and a few 70 wide.
• Carved out of the rock by the Guadalevín limestone and sandstone.
• Its origins date back to the Cenozoic era, around 65 million years ago.
• It separates the two parts of Ronda: La Ciudad, the old town, and El Mercadillo.

The second stage: the Paso de la Garganta

The second phase has been open to the public since 16 September 2026, so it is now possible to complete the route of almost one kilometre through the heart of the Tajo Gorge, from Plaza de María Auxiliadora to the Arab Baths area.

The entire project, with an investment of over €1.5 million, is now complete. The second phase of the Tajo Gorge Trail adds around 500 metres to the route, allowing visitors to venture deeper into the gorge and enjoy a completely different perspective of the Tajo de Ronda, with access to the platforms of the former Molinos Harineros weir, the hydroelectric power station and the Huertas del Tajo.

What is prohibited

There are quite a few rules, and it’s worth knowing them so you don’t get a nasty surprise at the checkpoint:

• No bulky rucksacks, walking sticks, crutches or tripods on the walkway.
• Carrying children in your arms is prohibited.
• No umbrellas: If it rains, a raincoat is compulsory.
• No animals, without drones and without swimming in the river or the pools.
• Smoking, lighting fires and drinking alcohol are not permitted.
• You must not leave the footpath or enter unauthorised tunnels.

What you do need to bring: hiking boots with grippy soles — there are wet sections due to the proximity to the water —, water, and a cap and sun cream if it’s sunny.

How to get there and where it starts

The entrance is in María Auxiliadora Square. Walk to the end of the viewing platform’s balconies and you’ll see the path leading down towards the Casa del Manolillo, where the entry checkpoint is.

From Málaga it is around 100 kilometres: Take the A-357 to Ardales and then the A-367, which has a few bends on the final stretch. It takes about an hour and a half. There is also a regional train to Ronda station, just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre.

What to combine the visit with

As the trail is short, It doesn’t matter what time you do it: it fits into any gap in your day. You can find the rest of Ronda at What to see in Ronda.

• The New Bridge at the top, with its visitor centre, which is a separate attraction.
• The bullring, by 1785 and the headquarters of the Royal Cavalry Order.
• The museums of Ronda and their fair.
• Setenil de las Bodegas, half an hour away, and the White Villages Route.

And if you’re looking for a really long walkway, that’s the Caminito del Rey: that’s 7.7 km compared to these 250 metres. You can find their recommendations at Is the Caminito del Rey dangerous?.

Travelling to Ronda from Málaga

We are a local tour operator based in Málaga with over 50 years’ experience organising trips around Andalusia. If you’d rather avoid the mountain roads, the excursion includes a guided tour of Ronda with admission to the Don Bosco House Museum, some free time in Setenil and a glass of wine whilst enjoying the views of the Puente Nuevo:

Note: the entrance to the Gorge is not included on the excursion. If you’d like to do this, book it separately on the official website and make sure the time fits in with your free time.

Frequently asked questions

Are children allowed into the Tajo Gorge?

Children under the age of 8 are not permitted entry, and there are no exceptions. It’s worth knowing this before you head down, as the entry checkpoint is at the bottom of the slope from María Auxiliadora Square, and several families have found themselves there only to be told that their child couldn’t enter. Children aged 8 and over must carry their original ID card or family register and be accompanied by an adult.

How much do tickets cost and where can I buy them?

General admission costs 5 euros, with a maximum of four tickets per purchase, and can be bought on the official website desfiladerodeltajo.info or by scanning the QR codes displayed in various establishments around Ronda. Capacity is limited to 30 people per hour, so it is advisable to book in advance. Residents registered in Ronda can enter for free without a prior booking by showing their ID card.

How long does it take to walk through the Tajo Gorge?

It takes about 30 minutes there and back, though some people manage it in ten. It’s a 250-metre walkway from Plaza de María Auxiliadora to the foot of the Puente Nuevo. It’s a short walk, so it’s worth bearing that in mind: the highlight is the view of the bridge from below and the pools of the Guadalevín, not the length of the walk itself.

Is it accessible for wheelchairs or pushchairs?

No. You are not permitted to enter with a wheelchair, pushchair or any other item that might hinder an evacuation, and walking sticks and crutches are also not allowed on the footbridge. The route includes changes in level and flights of stairs, and the surface may be wet due to the proximity of the river.

Is the second stage of the route open?

Work on the so-called Tajo Gorge Walkway began in October 2024 and will extend the route by around 500 metres into the steepest part of the gorge, providing access to the platforms of the old Molinos Harineros weir and the hydroelectric power station. It is advisable to check the status on the official website before visiting, as the route may have changed. The first phase has remained open throughout the works.

What happens if it rains?

The trail closes during rain or when the river rises, which is common in winter, so check the opening hours on the official website on the day of your visit. If it rains during the visit, umbrellas are prohibited and a raincoat or similar is compulsory.