Caminito del Rey

The walk itself is guided and wearing the helmet (included in your reservation fee) is mandatory, but with plenty of opportunities to explore at your own pace.

The trail is located near the village and Dam of El Chorro, 50 kilometers inland from Malaga. The easiest way is to park near the beginning (P1) of the path and upon finishing take the shuttle bus back to your car. Alternatively, organized day tours are offered in the tourist hotspots along the Costa del Sol.

Upon parking your car, you walk to the entrance/checkpoint via a pathway. Please note this is a 3-kilometer section and can take around 45 minutes. At the control point, you can “check-in” with your reservation, and a helmet will be provided. Groups (15-20 people, depending on how crowded it is) depart regularly and you can choose between Spanish and English guides. After an initial talk with the guide, you venture into the gorge, alternating between regular “forest,” boardwalk-type structures next to the cliffs, and footbridges high above the gorge.

Although you are expected to walk with the guided group, there is plenty of time for photos and taking a moment to enjoy the beautiful gorge by yourself, if desired.

One of the highlights is the 100-meter (328-foot) high bridge at 2/3rds of the walk, which offers magnificent views of the gorge, the path, and the river stream below. From there you descend, initially in the gorge, but the latter part on a regular forest path, back to the little village where a shuttle bus can take you back to P1.

The best time of the year to hike El Caminito is undoubtedly the shoulder season between April-May and late September-October. This way, you’ll avoid the intense summer heat (the temperature regularly hovers above 40C/105F in June-August) and the potential rainy winter weather. When a storm is forecasted the path is closed as a safety measure.

This is an easy hike, comfortable (hiking) shoes and a small backpack are sufficient. However, due to walking alongside steep cliffs, the hike is not recommended for people who suffer from vertigo. Also, be careful in rainy conditions as the trail might be closed. A safety helmet will be provided at the control/access point.