A Caminito del Rey hike is one of the most dramatic walks in southern Spain: a cliff-side boardwalk hanging around 100 metres above the Guadalhorce river as it runs through the El Chorro gorge.
El Chorro gorge, near the villages of El Chorro in Alora and Ardales in Andalusia, is one of the most important outdoor destinations in Malaga province. It is famous for its natural beauty and for long being a popular rock climbing and mountaineering area. The walkway itself sits about 25 km inland from Malaga city.
The path is often called the King’s path, but the experience is far more controlled than the old name suggests. Entrance is ticketed, helmets are mandatory, and every visitor moves through the gorge in a set direction.
Dramatic Cliff-Side Walkway Views
Before you plan the route, it helps to understand how the restored walkway works. The main path is short and mostly descending, but the access roads, train times, and ticket slots shape the day.
What Makes the Caminito del Rey Hike So Special?
The Caminito del Rey hike follows a cliff-side trail above the waters of the Guadalhorce reservoir. The river runs through the El Chorro gorge near the villages of El Chorro in Alora and Ardales in Andalusia, Spain. This is a key tourist destination of Malaga in southern Spain, known for its natural beauty and as an attractive rock climbing destination for mountaineers. The path is about 25 km inland from Malaga city.
Who Built El Caminito del Rey and Why?
El Caminito del Rey was originally built as an access route for workers around 1901. The Hydroelectric Society of El Chorro used the trail to move workers and materials, and construction took four years. It soon became part of daily life for people in El Chorro and the surrounding villages.
In 1921 the trail was improved and inaugurated by King Alfonso XXIII, giving it the name the King’s little path. Around the 1980s the path began to deteriorate and was closed to the public. That did not stop the most adventurous, and several deaths and accidents occurred. The route became known as “the most dangerous path in the world” and “the walk of death”.
In the 1990s more fatal falls occurred. In the 2000s mountaineers set up a zip line to help hikers, but fatal falls continued. The Spanish authorities in Andalucia eventually restored the walkway, and it reopened on the 28th of March in 2015.
The reconstruction stayed as close as possible to the original 1921 pathway. The famous boardwalk is built with wooden planks and a simple 1.2-metre-high three-wire guard rail. In places the trail is no more than a metre wide, pinned to the cliff face. If you are comfortable with heights, you can look down and see the old path below. The hike also includes a steel suspension bridge with an open grid decking across the gorge, next to the original aqueduct bridge.
Caminito del Rey Hike Elevation and Trail Stats
The Caminito del Rey hike climbs and descends gently along the river. The Kings walkway and suspension bridge sit about 120 metres above the river at the highest point in the Gaitanes gorge. The hike starts at an elevation of about 400 metres above sea level and ends at about 300 metres. Because it follows the same direction as the Guadalhorce river, the trail mainly descends.
- Distance: 7.7 km (around 8.1 km from access path to exit)
- Difficulty: easy
- Total ascent: 120 m
- Total descent: 100 m
- Time needed: 2 hours walking, about 4 hours including the bus to the start
- Where to eat: El Kiosko
How to Get to El Caminito del Rey from Malaga
The walkway is around an hour inland from Malaga by car. Driving is often the easiest choice because the train stops at the end of the hike. Enter “El Kiosko Restaurant Ardales/El Chorro” in your navigation to get straight to the entrance. Parking is possible at El Chorro and by El Kiosko Restaurant; the latter puts you close to the trail entrance.
By public transport, take the train from Malaga’s Maria Zambrano station to El Chorro. It is a direct connection, and a one-way ticket costs €4.85. The ride takes about 45 minutes. Trains run throughout the day every day, but check your arrival against your Caminito del Rey hike time slot. From El Chorro, buses leave every 30 minutes to the El Kiosko restaurant at the start of the trail.
In summer, many tourists and locals come to the surrounding areas of the Caminito for years. There are water sports, and people cool down in the turquoise reservoirs. If you are flying in, you can compare flight prices through Aviasales for comparing flight prices.
Renting a Car for the Caminito del Rey Hike
Public transport works, but it can be a hassle to reach El Caminito del Rey from Malaga or Seville. Renting a car gives more flexibility and makes it easier to stop at the lake and enjoy the scenery. Rental cars in Malaga can be picked up at the airport or the train station.
Renting from the airport makes sense for three reasons: prices at the airport seem to be cheaper, it takes only about 15 minutes to get there by metro, and there is no need to drive into the city centre. Driving from the airport to El Caminito del Rey takes around 90 minutes.
For comparison pricing, Rentalcars is a practical starting point. If you prefer to check rates through one booking source, you can also look at AutoEurope for renting a car.
How Long Does the Caminito del Rey Hike Take?
The full route is 8.1 km in total and takes at least 3 hours to walk. In practice, plan for four to five hours door to door. The path is divided into five sections:
- 2.5 km access path from El Kiosko through the forest to the ticket entrance
- 1.3 km boardwalk through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes (Gaitanes gorge)
- 1.6 km path through the wooded Valle del Hoyo (Hoyo valley)
- 0.9 km cliff-hanging boardwalk through the Garganta del Chorro (El Chorro gorge)
- 1.8 km access path to El Chorro village
The Caminito del Rey hike is limited to 100 visitors per half hour, so it does not feel too crowded. Tickets are sold in time slots online in advance, although standby tickets are sometimes available. If you are new to hiking, this is a good trail to start with: the 3-hour route is mainly flat and suitable for any fitness level.
How to Return to the Start of the Caminito del Rey Hike
Shuttle bus services run the 9.5 km between El Kiosko Restaurant and El Chorro train station. The service costs €1.55, payable in cash on the bus unless you have bought a combined ticket. Buses leave every 30 minutes. If you arrive by train and need the bus to the start, choose a train that gets to El Chorro about 1.5 to 2 hours before your entrance time.
Can You Walk the Caminito del Rey Hike Without a Guide?
Yes. The route is easy to follow and you cannot get lost. Staff are often posted along the route if help is needed. Just check train schedules and match your arrival to your start time.
Opening Hours and Best Time for the Caminito del Rey Hike
The Caminito del Rey hike is open all year from Tuesday to Sunday; it is closed on Mondays. In winter, opening hours are from 9:30 am until 2:30 pm. If you are planning to explore Malaga or other cities, use Monday for those trips.
You can walk all year round, but the less hot months are more suitable for enjoying the route. In those months there are bigger temperature changes, more chance of rain, and fewer hours of daylight, so check the El Caminito del Rey meteo before you go.
What to Pack for the Caminito del Rey Hike
Although this is a 3- to 5-hour hiking trail, keep your gear simple. Take a small backpack, because large bags are not allowed, and bring enough water, snacks, and sunscreen. Wear good hiking shoes. A cap is useful in summer; the cliff face gives some shade, but it lowers the chance of sunburn and overheating. Comfortable clothing is best.
Do not bring hiking poles or selfie sticks; they are not allowed. If you hike during warmer months, you can combine the walk with a swim at the lake or a picnic afterwards. Alternatively, eat at El Kiosko Restaurant or at a restaurant or bar in El Chorro at the end of the trail.
Practical Information and Restrictions
Because of the narrow pathways, the minimum age for the Caminito del Rey hike is 8 years. Guided excursions with children under 8 are possible at the Saltillo gorge or El Torcal de Antequera.
- Pets are not allowed.
- There are no toilets along the path.
- The walk sometimes closes in bad weather, and refunds are not offered.
Since refunds are not offered, consider travel insurance before booking.
How to Book Tickets for the Caminito del Rey Hike
Tickets can be booked online on the official website and cost €10 per person, or €11.55 including the optional shuttle bus back to the starting point. You receive a mandatory helmet at the entrance. When booking, choose a start time in 15- to 30-minute intervals.
Tickets for sale to the public are only released in batches of two months at a time. They tend to sell out quickly, and most time slots are booked about a month in advance. This can make it difficult to buy tickets months ahead. Tour providers have a separate allocation and will accept bookings in advance; a guide can pick you up in Malaga or meet you at El Kiosko near the entrance.
Where to Stay Near the Caminito del Rey Hike
If you plan to stay overnight near the trail, look for accommodation near El Chorro or Ardales. There is also camping ground at the lakes close to El Kiosko Restaurant for those who prefer camping. If you plan to stay for a longer period, there are campsites, B&Bs and guest houses in the Guadalhorce valley with an amazing and breathtaking landscape.
- Complejo Turistico La Garganta – El Chorro: a good hotel with an outside pool. It has free parking and an airport shuttle bus if you do not have a car.
- Apartamentos Parque Ardales – Ardales: apartments and a campground for tents and caravans. It is located next to El Chorro Lakes and only a few minutes’ drive from El Kiosko Restaurant. You can also walk from El Kiosko Restaurant to the start in about 20 minutes, so you do not have to worry about parking.
What to Expect on the Caminito del Rey Hike
The restored path rewards visitors with a controlled walk through the El Chorro gorge. Even in narrow sections, the boardwalk feels secure, but the height is real. A fee and mandatory helmet help maintain the route, and the experience is not quite like other hikes.
If you are afraid of heights, this trail is probably not for you. The path hangs on the side of a cliff a hundred metres above the ground. For everyone else, it is a memorable, camera-ready walk through one of Malaga’s most striking landscapes.
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It is not for everyone — hanging on the side of a cliff a hundred metres above the ground.
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