El Caminito del Rey

Attention! This is perhaps one of the most beautiful places of Andalusia and that’s why we definitely recommend walking the Caminito del Rey.

North of Álora is the famous El Chorro nature reserve, named after a small village in these mountains. The highest point you can climb on foot is the Sierra de Huma (1191 m). In the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, you will find the famous Caminito del Rey (so named because it was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII in 1921). A wooden hiking trail against the rock walls built in the early 20th century and completely renovated in 2015. The path runs through the famous Garganta del Chorro mountain gorge. The Guadalhorce River winds through it and is surrounded by beautiful nature and beautiful landscapes. Top activity!

The Caminito was built between 1901 and 1905 and was used to transport people and equipment between two power stations that lay on both sides of the El Chorro gorge. However, it took a lot of years until the path was officially opened: in 1920 King Alfonso XIII walked the route and that gave it its current name.

The El Chorro gorge (La Garganta del Chorro) is a beautiful place, with gigantic cliffs of up to 400 meters high, along the full length (3 kilometres). ̈El Chorro ̈ can be translated as “the stream ̈, which the water did when it went along the narrow gorge. The height difference between the reservoirs at both ends of the gorges offered a unique ability to generate water energy; at that time an almost revolutionary concept.

The path was constructed with sand and cement and then reinforced with metal brackets. A simple iron railing was attached to the wall for support. However, the Caminito has fallen into decline over the years and was officially closed in the year 2000 after several people fell to death. The dangerous route attracted adrenaline junkies from all over the world, making many referred to the route as the world’s most dangerous path.

The renovation of the Camino had been a point of discussion for years, but in 2013 the government finally gave the starting shot. The local authorities of Málaga spent up to 5.5 million euros for this project. In the end, 2.2 million euros were spent on the construction of the new Caminito, the rest has been used for surrounding facilities such as roads, parking and bus stops. It was estimated that as many as 250,000 people would visit the Caminito in the first year, which would create 180 jobs and a turnover of 20 million euros. It is one of the biggest attractions of Andalusia.

THE VISIT

2 approaching footpaths starting from the main road through a tunnel lead to the entrance of the Caminito del Rey. The first path is just next to the restaurant El Kiosko through a big tunnel and is about 2,5 km, the second path through a narrow tunnel is at about 300m right from the restaurant and is shorter, about 1,5 km. The Caminito del Rey is 2,9 km and the exit path 2,1 km. The whole experience takes about 3-4 hours, including the shuttle bus.

At the entrance you find the checkpoint where you valid your ticket and get a safety helmet. For guided tours booked on the official website, you ‘ll meet the guide there.

TICKETS

Tickets must be reserved in advance on the Caminito del Rey

website: www.caminitodelrey.info

You need to choose the date and the time that you want to make the walk.

Note: this walk is very success full and it is advisable to book your admission tickets on time. It might be sold out weeks in advance.

Tickets are also available from tour operators (at a higher price).

Other options:

If you are not able to book tickets on the website you can go early in the morning before opening to the entrance of Caminito del Rey and hope that you can get one of the 50 daily tickets that are sold for the first walk at around 9.00 o’clock (make sure you are early enough!).

If you don’t succeed to find tickets, feel free to contact us. We can try to help you.

Note: The Caminito del Rey is closed on Mondays (except for some Mondays in July and August and holiday Mondays). No access to children under 8 years and pets.

Note: Some guided tours organised by tour operator start from El Chorro.

ACCESS

The walk is linear. This means that the walk starts in Ardales (Acceso Norte-entrada) and ends at El Chorro-Álora (Acceso Sur-salida). There is a shuttlebus that goes between the entrance and the exit.

Parking at ‘CENTRO RECEPCIÓN VISITANTES CAMINITO DEL REY’.

This parking (2 euro/day) is located at a 30 minute drive away from here.
From there you take the shuttle bus that brings you to the access road of the Caminito del Rey (5 minutes ride). Tickets for the bus can be bought. from the bus driver in cash money. Keep the ticket as it’s also valid for the return way.
Walk one of the 2 access paths that lead to the checkpoint.
Valid your ticket at the checkpoint and start the walk.
At the end of the walk you arrive at the train station of El Chorro.
Take the shuttle bus at the station back to the parking ‘Centro Recepción Visitantes Caminito del Rey. Use the same bus ticket.

→ Tickets for the parking and bus can also be booked together with your entries on the Caminito del Rey website.

Parking at ’ACCESO NORTE’

Drive 35 minutes to the north access (‘Restaurante El Kiosko’).
Park your car in the street or on one of the 2 parkings in the area.
Walk one of the 2 access paths that lead to the checkpoint.
Valid your ticket at the checkpoint and start the walk.
At the end of the walk you arrive at the train station of El Chorro.
Take the shuttle bus at the station back to the northern access.

Parking at EL CHORRO

Drive 25 minutes to El Chorro.
Park your car at the free parking or at the train station.
Take the shuttle bus at the train station that brings you to the north access point of the Caminito del Rey.
Walk one of the 2 access paths that lead to the checkpoint.
Valid your ticket at the checkpoint and start the walk.
At the end of the walk you arrive back at the train station of El Chorro.

By TRAIN

Take the train Álora – El Chorro/Caminito del Rey:
The journey takes about 10 minutes.
There are 2 trains in the morning and 2 return trains in the afternoon.
Check the exact time table on www.renfe.com or renfe servicios de Proximidad departure: Álora, destination: El Chorro-Caminito del Rey) or feel free to contact us, so that you can coordinate your access time for the Caminito del Rey with the train hours
At arrival in El Chorro take the shuttle bus at El Chorro train station that brings you to the north access point of Caminito del Rey.
Walk one of the 2 access paths that lead to the checkpoint.
Valid your ticket at the checkpoint and start the walk.
At the end of the walk you arrive back at the train station of El Chorro

By BUS

Bus M-340 (Álora-Bermejo-El Chorro/Caminito del Rey) runs only a few times a day, (Monday till Saturday) from Álora Centre to El Chorro train station.
At arrival take the shuttle bus at El Chorro train station that brings you to the north access point of Caminito del Rey.
Walk one of the 2 access paths that lead to the checkpoint.
Valid your ticket at the checkpoint and start the walk.
At the end of the walk you arrive back at the train station of El Chorro. where you can take the bus back to Álora centre.