Caminito del Rey: tickets, getting there and tips for the hike

In short: The Caminito del Rey is a walkway along the rock walls of a gorge in the hinterland of Málaga. The route is 7.7 kilometres long, technically easy and can only be walked with a ticket booked in advance. It is closed on Tuesdays, and the minimum age is 8.

How do you get tickets?

Tickets are only available with a fixed time slot via the official shop: reservas.caminitodelrey.info. They are released in blocks covering several months. The current block covers visits from 7 December 2026 to 2 May 2027 (as of October 2026). The early time slots go first.

According to media reports, general admission costs 10 euros and the guided option 18 euros. Different prices are circulating for the shuttle bus. You will see the valid amount when you book.

When is it open?

According to the tourism portal of the Junta de Andalucía, these are the opening hours:

• 1 October to 31 March: 10 am to 2 pm
• 1 April to 30 September: 10 am to 5 pm
• Entry: every 30 minutes
• Closed: on Tuesdays and on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January

How does the hike work?

The path is a one-way route from north to south: the start is near Ardales, the finish in El Chorro. Of the 7.7 kilometres, 2.9 kilometres are walkways, the rest are forest tracks and paths.

1. Access

   From the car park in the north, you first walk a good distance to the checkpoint. Factor this into your time slot. At the entrance you are given a helmet.

2. First gorge

   The wooden walkways hang high above the river on the rock face.

3. The valley in between

   In the middle, the gorge opens out into a wide valley with pine trees.

4. Second gorge and suspension bridge

   The most spectacular part comes at the end: the walkway in the narrow Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge and the suspension bridge across to the other side. According to media reports, a 110-metre suspension bridge was added in 2026 for the tenth anniversary.

5. Way back

   From the exit in El Chorro, the shuttle bus takes you back to the start.

Who is the Caminito suitable for?

Since its restoration, the path has lost its old reputation as the most dangerous path in the world. The walkways are wide, have railings and hardly any incline. You need normal fitness, but no mountain experience.

• Children aged 8 and over may come along.
• If you have a strong fear of heights, the path is not for you: you often look straight down.
• The path cannot be done with a pushchair.
• Turning back is not intended, the route only runs in one direction.

How do you get there?

By car, you drive from Málaga into the hinterland towards Ardales or El Chorro. You either park at the north entrance and take the shuttle back after the hike, or park in El Chorro and take the shuttle beforehand.

Without a car, there is El Chorro station on the line between Málaga and Seville. Only a few trains a day stop there. Match the time slot of your ticket to the Renfe timetable before you book.

What should you bring and what goes well with it?

There is nothing to buy along the way. Pack water, something to eat, sun protection and your ID, and wear sturdy, closed shoes. In summer it gets hot in the gorge, so take the earliest time slot.

After the hike, a stop at the turquoise reservoirs right by the north entrance is worthwhile. If you still have energy, drive on to the rocks of El Torcal or to Ronda. More destinations are listed under Day trips from Málaga, and the city itself under Málaga sights. If the hinterland appeals to you as a place to live, read Where in Spain?.

Frequently asked questions

As of October 2026. Opening hours, prices and entry rules change. Check them on the official websites before your visit.

Cover image: Diego Delso · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0