{"id":74275,"date":"2022-08-22T11:01:32","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T09:01:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/visitanddo_1790.test\/?p=74275"},"modified":"2026-09-30T22:37:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T20:37:09","slug":"caminito-del-rey-recomendaciones","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.visitanddo.com\/en\/caminito-del-rey-recomendaciones\/","title":{"rendered":"Caminito del Rey: recommendations and tips for your visit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Before exploring the Caminito del Rey<\/strong> It\u2019s worth being clear about a few things: where it starts, how to book it, how long it takes, and what you can and can\u2019t take with you. These are simple details, but they make all the difference between a comfortable visit and a setback halfway through.<\/p>\n

The route runs through the Gaitanes Gorge<\/strong>, a canyon with vertical walls in the north of the province of M\u00e1laga. If you\u2019d rather go without having to worry about the logistics \u2014car, parking, transport between the start and end points, timetables\u2014 you can sort it out with a excursion to the Caminito del Rey from Malaga<\/a>, with transport and a guide included.<\/p>\n

And just to clarify one thing straight away, as it causes a lot of confusion: the Caminito del Rey was<\/strong> considered one of the most dangerous trails in the world, but that was before its reopening in 2015<\/strong>. The current path has been fully upgraded, with new walkways and handrails, and it is a safe route<\/strong> low difficulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Caminito del Rey tickets with guided tour<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Where is the Caminito del Rey?<\/h2>\n

It is situated in the north of the province of M\u00e1laga, between the municipalities of Ardales, Antequera and \u00c1lora<\/strong>, nestled in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a gorge carved out by the River Guadalhorce. It lies 60 kilometres from M\u00e1laga city centre<\/strong> \u2014about a 50-minute drive\u2014 and 137 from Granada, making it a convenient day trip.<\/p>\n

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<\/strong>, with the hamlet of El Chorro, in \u00c1lora, in the south<\/strong>. It is essential to distinguish between the two endpoints from the outset, because the start and end points do not coincide.<\/p>\n\n

How to get to the Caminito del Rey<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The old footpath and the current footbridge, built over it in 2015.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

By car<\/h3>\n

From M\u00e1laga, take the road towards Ardales; the route is well signposted and takes about 50 minutes<\/strong>. The reference number for the northern entrance is El Kiosko Restaurant<\/strong>, where the approach path begins. There, you can park in the nearby car parks or at the official car park, at \u20ac2 a day<\/strong>, which was set up shortly before we arrived at the restaurant.<\/p>\n

The other option is parking in El Chorro<\/strong>, the southern entrance, where there are several areas of free parking<\/strong>, 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\u2019ll be finishing and use the shuttle bus for the outward journey only.<\/p>\n

In either case you\u2019ll have to take the shuttle bus<\/strong>, either before or after the walk, so make sure you leave in good time: the two entry points are quite a distance apart.<\/p>\n\n

By train<\/h3>\n

There are regional trains from the station at M\u00e1laga to Mar\u00eda Zambrano, with a stop at El Chorro<\/strong>. The journey takes about 40 minutes<\/strong> and prices start at around \u20ac5 return<\/strong>. It is advisable to check the timetables on the Renfe website, selecting El Chorro as your destination.<\/p>\n

When you get off the train, the shuttle bus stop is about 100 metres<\/strong>. Please note that El Chorro is the southern entrance<\/strong>, where the Caminito ends, so the shuttle will take you north to get you started.<\/p>\n\n

The shuttle bus<\/h3>\n

This is the section that confuses independent travellers the most. It links El Chorro with the northern access point; it\u2019s a bit of a climb \u20ac2 each way<\/strong> and takes between 15 and 20 minutes<\/strong>. Two important notices: carry cash<\/strong>, 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.<\/p>\n\n

On an organised excursion<\/h3>\n

It\u2019s the most convenient option, as it sorts out transport, parking and coordination between the two ends in one go. It includes a coach from M\u00e1laga 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.<\/p>\n\n

Tickets: prices and bookings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"The
The walkways of the Caminito del Rey, through the Gaitanes Gorge.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Caminito del Rey opens all year round, Tuesday to Sunday<\/strong>, and is closed on Mondays, except on special occasions. It is closed on 1 January and on 24, 25 and 31 December.<\/p>\n

General admission costs \u20ac10 per person<\/strong> Ages 8 and over. It is essential to understand two things: You cannot enter without a prior booking<\/strong> \u2014tickets are not sold at the checkpoints\u2014 and places are limited per time slot, so that they usually sell out on the very day they go on sale<\/strong> on the official website. It is advisable to check prices and availability before organising your trip.<\/p>\n

If you run out of tickets, there are two options. The tickets with guided tour from El Chorro<\/a> include admission, the shuttle bus, a bottle of water and a guide throughout the tour. And if you don\u2019t have your own transport, the day trip from M\u00e1laga<\/a> Add return transport.<\/p>\n\n

The route: distance in kilometres, duration and direction of travel<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Map
Map of the Caminito del Rey route.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The full itinerary is as follows: 7.7 kilometres<\/strong>. The walkways have one metre wide<\/strong> and reach the 105 metres high<\/strong> on the riverbed. It is a a straight, one-way path<\/strong>: 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.<\/p>\n\n

The two approach paths<\/h3>\n

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:<\/p>\n