Caminito del Rey (Ardales – El Chorro)

The Caminito del Rey is a restored cliff walkway in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, between Ardales and El Chorro (Álora), about 60 km north-west of Málaga. You need a timed ticket from the official website (general admission 10 euros, checked November 2026), you walk one way from north to south, and a shuttle bus links the two ends. The official figures are 7.7 km and 3 to 4 hours in total, including the access paths. It suits anyone over 8 who is reasonably fit and fine with heights. Skip it if you suffer from vertigo, need a wheelchair or pushchair, or want to bring a dog.

Quick facts

• Names: Caminito del Rey (“the King’s little path”), locally el caminito, in the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge.
• Where: province of Málaga, starting in the municipality of Ardales and ending at El Chorro, in Álora.
• Coordinates: 36.9321, -4.7880 (the walkway in the gorge, from OpenStreetMap).
• Route: linear, one way, downhill overall from north to south. You cannot walk it south to north.
• Distance: 7.7 km in total, of which 2.9 km is the controlled section: 1,550 m of boardwalk and 1,405 m of path or track (official website).
• Time: 3 to 4 hours in total; the controlled section alone takes about 150 minutes (official website).
• Tickets (checked November 2026): general admission 10 euros, official guided visit 18 euros (groups up to 30, Spanish and English), shuttle bus 2.50 euros, parking 2 euros. Up to 10 tickets per purchase.
• Open: Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Mondays and on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January.
• Minimum age: 8. Bring an ID document for children; under-18s must be with an adult.

Access and parking

By car: from Málaga, take the A-357 towards Ardales and then the MA-5403; the official site gives 59.1 km and a little over 50 minutes. From Antequera it is about 55 km via the A-384 and A-357, and from Ronda about 60 km (official website).

Where to park: the official FAQ lists three options. The Visitors’ Reception Centre at Puerto de las Atalayas (Ardales) has a car park at 2 euros a day (bookable with your ticket) and a shuttle stop. The municipal car park in Ardales (P1, 2 euros) is near the north entrance. The car park at the El Chorro exit (P2, Álora) puts your car next to the end of the walk; from there you take the shuttle up to the start. Park at least an hour before your entry time.

Shuttle bus: the route is not circular, so you need the bus or a second car. The bus runs between El Chorro and the stop near the El Kiosko restaurant at the north end, a ride of 15–20 minutes, from 07:40 to 19:00. A day ticket costs 2.50 euros and covers as many rides as you need; you can buy it online with your entry ticket or pay cash to the driver. Cards are not accepted on board. The bus is not run by the Caminito del Rey (official website, checked November 2026).

By train: regional trains stop at El Chorro – Caminito del Rey station (Álora), close to the south exit. Check Renfe times first.

What to expect

From the north car parks you first walk to the control booth at the old Gaitanejo power station. There are two ways: the long tunnel next to El Kiosko and a 2.7 km forest path (about 50 minutes), or a shorter, lit pedestrian tunnel and a track of about 1.5 km (20–25 minutes). At the booth your ticket is checked, you are given a helmet and your shoes and bags are checked.

The controlled section runs through two narrow gorges joined by the open Valle del Hoyo. The boardwalk is fixed to the rock face, and near the south end you cross a suspension bridge. The official history page describes walls over 300 m high and, in places, under 10 m apart. The original path was built between 1901 and 1905 for the hydroelectric works, and took its name after King Alfonso XIII crossed it in 1921. After years of closure and decay, the restored walkway reopened on 29 March 2015 (Wikipedia).

After the exit you walk down to El Chorro, return the helmet, and the shuttle stop is about 300 m away.

Practical details

From the official rules (Málaga provincial council decree of 6 May 2026), checked November 2026:

• Book a timed ticket on caminitodelrey.info. You can also buy at the ticket office at the north access, subject to availability; the Visitors’ Reception Centre does not sell tickets. No changes or refunds, except an exchange when the path is closed for bad weather.
• Be at the entrance at least 30 minutes before your time. The gate is about a 25-minute walk by the shortest route from El Kiosko.
• Wear hiking shoes that are fixed at the heel. Flip-flops and heels are not allowed.
• Not allowed: pets, walking poles and crutches, wheelchairs, pushchairs, large backpacks, umbrellas, selfie sticks, tripods, drones, smoking, alcohol and swimming. Carrying anyone in your arms on the boardwalk is also forbidden.
• There are no toilets and no place to eat once you are inside. Bring at least 1.5 litres of water per person, snacks and sun cream.

Entry times run from 9:00 until 14:50 or 17:20, depending on the season (official timetable, checked November 2026).

Accessibility and safety

Best time to visit

The official route page recommends March and April for the flowers. In summer, take an early slot, and in winter keep the remaining daylight in mind: the walk lasts 3 to 4 hours. It is closed every Monday.

Nearby alternatives

• Finca Colores, 30 km away: a campsite inland from Málaga.
• Setenil de las Bodegas, 36 km away: the white village with houses built under the rock.
• Montes de Málaga Natural Park, 39 km away: hills just north of Málaga, with easier walks.
• Ronda, 40 km away: the town on its own gorge, with the Puente Nuevo.
• Málaga, 40 km away: the city, its port and museums.

Distances are in a straight line from the walkway.

FAQ

Do you need tickets for the Caminito del Rey?

Yes. Entry is by timed ticket from the official website, caminitodelrey.info: 10 euros general admission or 18 euros with an official guide (checked November 2026). Do not buy from unofficial sellers.

Is there parking at the Caminito del Rey?

Yes. The Visitors’ Reception Centre car park costs 2 euros a day, the Ardales municipal car park (P1) is 2 euros, and there is a car park at the El Chorro exit (P2). Use the shuttle bus to get back to your car.

How do I get to the Caminito del Rey from Málaga?

By car, take the A-357 towards Ardales and then the MA-5403, about 59 km and 50 minutes. By train, go to El Chorro – Caminito del Rey station and take the shuttle bus to the north entrance.

Can children do the Caminito del Rey?

Only from age 8, with an ID document to prove it. Under-18s must be with an adult, and you may not carry a child on the boardwalk.

Sources and freshness