Frequently asked questions

If you have any questions, please send us a support request via the contact form: contact.

Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The estimated response time for e-mails ranges between 24-72 hours.

You can come by train or by road

By rail, RENFE currently offers daily regional trains that stop in El Chorro. Check in advance with RENFE for schedules, prices and stations where stops are made before making the trip.
Access to the Caminito by road from Malaga is via the A-357 to the Ardales junction where we will take the MA-5403 exit to one of the entrances.

For more information click here

Access to the Caminito del Rey

To get to the Caminito del Rey access you can choose three ways:

1. Parking near the entrance to the Caminito de Rey (Ardales) in a regulated municipal car park (P1) (2 euros).
From this point to the entrance of the Caminito de Rey, there is a path through an illuminated tunnel (1.5km) and another next to the Kiosko restaurant (2.7km). The estimated time to get to the entrance of the Caminito de Rey is 20 and 35 minutes respectively.
Once the Caminito de Rey is finished (1:30 – 2:00 hours approx.), in the neighborhood of El Chorro (Álora) you return the protective helmet provided by the organization and 300 meters away is the shuttle bus stop (service not managed by Caminito del Rey).
The single ticket allows you to travel freely in both directions as many times as you need on the day of your visit. The bus ticket costs 2.50 euros/pax (not included in the ticket price) and you can buy it on our website (your ticket is linked), or directly at the time of use, which must be paid in cash to the driver on board the bus. CARD PAYMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
The bus service hours are from 07:40 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.: 00 hours. The journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to the stop near El Kiosko Restaurant.

2. Parking near the El Chorro exit (Álora).
In this case, we recommend that you be parked in this parking at least one hour in advance. It is a car park (P2) that is currently being refurbished but is fully operational right at the entrance to the neighborhood after passing the Tajo de la Encantada dam.
Once your vehicle is parked, the shuttle bus stop is 300 meters away, right on the train platform.
The single ticket allows you to travel freely in both directions as many times as you need on the day of your visit. The bus ticket costs 2.50 euros/pax (not included in the ticket price) and you can buy it on our website (your ticket is linked), or directly at the time of use, which must be paid in cash to the driver on board the bus. CARD PAYMENTS ARE NOT ALLOWED.
The bus service hours are from 07:40 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. . The journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to the stop near El Kiosko Restaurant.
From this point to the entrance of the Caminito de Rey there is a path through an illuminated tunnel (1.5km) and another next to the El Kiosko restaurant (2.7km). The estimated time to get to the entrance of the Caminito de Rey is 20 and 35 minutes respectively.
Once the Caminito de Rey is finished (1:30 – 2:00 hours approx.), in the neighborhood of El Chorro (Álora) you return the protection helmet provided by the organization and your vehicle is already nearby.

3. You can park in Visitors' Reception Centre Parking (P) (2 euros/day).
In this case, we recommend that you be parked in this parking at least one hour in advance. You can reserve and purchase your space through our website during the ticket purchase process. or directly upon arrival (depending on availability). There you will find the shuttle bus stop (service not managed by Caminito del Rey). Once the Caminito de Rey is finished (1:30 – 2:00 hours approx.), in the neighborhood of El Chorro (Álora) you return the protection helmet provided by the organization and the shuttle bus stop is 300 meters away ( service not managed by Caminito del Rey).
The single bus ticket allows you to travel freely in both directions as many times as you need on the day of your visit. The cost is 2.50 euros/pax (not included in the ticket price) and you can buy it on our website (your ticket is linked), or directly at the time of use, which must be paid in cash to the driver at the Boarding the bus DOES NOT ADMIT CARD PAYMENT.
The bus service schedule is from 07:40 am to 07:00 pm. The journey takes approximately 15-20 minutes to the stop near El Kiosko Restaurant.

Register

Access here and fill in your details.
After completing the registration you will receive an email to validate your account. If you don't receive it, please check your junk or spam folder.

Buy tickets

When visiting our official ticket sales platform, click on buy tickets or check availability. Select a day and you will be able to choose the available times. Select number of tickets (max. 10 per person). You must register if you have not already done so.
After selecting the day, time and number of tickets you will access a page where you can see the summary of your purchase and proceed to payment.
Do not forget to read with Carefully purchase conditions before accepting them.
Once the purchase is complete, you must enter your personal space to customize each of the tickets before downloading and/or printing them.
The minimum age for access is 8 years old, and must be accredited with an official document at the entrance to the venue.
It is not necessary to print the tickets, download them at your device.
The tickets offered on the website are solely and exclusively for private use, with the agencies having an exclusive space.
Do not buy tickets at unauthorized points of sale, their authenticity is not guaranteed.

How long is El Caminito?

The full length of the path El Caminito del Rey is 7.7 km, of which 4.9km are access ways and 2.9km is the stretch between the broadwalk (broadwalk- Hoyo Valley - broadwalk).

How long does it take to finish?

The boardwalks are the most famous part of the path due to its dangerous condition before their restoration. However, one must take into account the paths that lead to access routes and the shuttle bus (forest paths and trails with some slopes). Hence, the full estimated time is 3 to 4 hours.

For more information click here

What is the path like?

The route El Caminito del Rey is linear, not circular so one must ensure their return to the starting point by their own means. However, there is a shuttle bus service between the Northern access (Ardales) and the Southern access (El Chorro, Álora) and vice versa. For a small price it will allow visitors to travel to the starting point throughout the journey.

For more information click here

What is the terrain orography like?

The path is mainly descendent although there are both uphill and downhill parts. The route is only one-way, starting at the Northern access (Ardales) and ending at the Southern access (Álora).

For more information click here

What are the opening times?

Opening times, dates and any changes will be established by the management company and included in this platform.

For more information click here

How often can you access the path?

Group access to the path is every 10 minutes.

Which dates is El Caminito open?

El caminito del rey is open Tuesday to Sunday, except December 24th, 25th, 31st and January 1st.

Who is responsible for El Caminito?

There is an inter-institutional monitoring committee with members from the Málaga County Council, and Ardales and Álora Town Councils. This committee will monitor and make necessary changes following the evolution of this tourist spot. Therefore, these conditions might change in the following months due to the pandemic.

What is waiting for us?

El Caminito del Rey is part of a spectacular natural beauty spot. This already makes it breathtaking and attractive, although the path is more than just a walk along the hills. The boardwalks and a hanging footbridge that stands 105 metres high, as well as the rugged mountain slopes, make many visitors feel inevitably dizzy. The path is hazardous because of the heights and its very narrow paths, but El Caminito del Rey was restored to enjoy active tourism in natural surroundings. Therefore, the risk factor is inherent as well as a certain degree of physical effort and skillfulness, an aspect that is assumed by tourists who come to follow the route. Visitors are not risking their lives at all, but they must be aware this place might shock some individuals. That is one of the most attractive characteristics of el Caminito del Rey.

What level of fitness is required?

The terrain characteristics (uphills, downhills, steps, boardwalks...) make it difficult to move along although it is not necessary to be a sportsperson to visit the enclave. On the Caminito del Rey website, there is a list of Suggestions you should read before visiting in order to avoid any surprises along the way.

Are there any reasons why the path might close?

Yes, there are. It can be closed due to weather conditions (rain, strong winds etc) or for repair works. In these cases, the official information for visitors will be the website. Therefore, we recommend you check the website often, especially the morning you are due to visit. You can also find information on social media, email or subscribing to our Telegram channel

What happens if I forget my ticket?

Although it is not common or recommended, our staff will be happy to help and reprint your tickets at the Visitors' Reception Centre. Remember we are here to help you enjoy your visit.

Do tickets come with insurance?

Yes. Every visitor will get civil liability insurance that will cover any accident that occurred from the broadwalk access to the exit as long as it was not provoked by failure to comply with the established regulations or exclusively by the visitor’s fault.

Is punctuality important?

For the general visit:

Yes it is. You must arrive at the access area at least 30 minutes before your entry time slot (this is the access point to the boardwalks, after the control cabin).
For information on how to get there and to check the route click here

For the guided visit:

Yes it is. Guided visit visitors should arrive at the Visitor Reception Centre 30 minutes before your entry time slot (this is the access point to the boardwalks, after the control cabin).
For information on how to get there and to check the route click here

For organised group visits:

Yes it is. Organised groups must arrive at the Visitors' Reception Centre at least 30 minutes minutes before your entry time slot (this is the access point to the boardwalks, after the control cabin).
For information on how to get there and to check the route click here

Which way can one complete El Caminito?

The path is one way, from Ardales to Álora.

How to walk along the path?

Circulation will always be one way on the right way as indicated on the boardwalks. If you pass another visitor you must have maximum caution to avoid endangering anyone walking next to the gorge.

Is being in shape required?

El Caminito del Rey is a restored infrastructure and its visit requires active tourism with certain physical effort, so being slightly in shape is recommended.
Visiting is not recommended to anyone who is not in the necessary shape, who suffers from vertigo or heart or lung-related disesases or that is undergoing treatment at the time of the visit.

Is food allowed during the visit?

Yes. Water or energy drinks, chocolate or energy bars, nuts and fruit are allowed.
Visitors must foresee lunch (sandwiches or else) but not much else. One must not forget this is a Natural Setting, without facilities to cook or bins. Furthermore, once beyond the boardwalks there are no areas to prepare food and stopping is not recommended because it will interrupt visitors’ flow and the path is narrow, not more than a metre and a half wide in the majority of the boardwalks.

Is anything else recommended?

Yes. Sun Cream is recommended as well as clothing appropriate to the season, especially hiking boots

Are there bins along the way?

No, other than at the exit and entry points where control cabins are placed. Any rubbish generated must be kept until you reach those points (papers, food rests, bottles, cans etc.) Being in a Natural Setting, extreme precautions must be taken to avoid leaving rubbish or objects as well as collaborating with the area’s hygiene.

Are there any bathrooms?

No. There are no bathrooms at the moment because only the restoration of the preexisting structure has taken place. Different ecological solutions are being discussed to install bathrooms at specific points along the path. At the minute they are only situated at the entry and exit points.

Is there security along the path?

Yes. At the access points and during the visit one must follow the rules and indications provided by information and security staff. Every indication given by the Environment agents or the Spanish military police must be obeyed. Furthermore, surveillance cameras are in place

Is there any danger?

Of course there is. Firstly, because we are in a completely natural setting. Secondly, because one is walking along a gorge where the visitor is surrounded by mountains and small rock falls can happen. Thirdly, because part of the walk is done at a high distance from the ground.

Can I stick my head out to see everything?

It depends on what you mean by that. As explained above, the walk is done 100 metres above the ground and it is forbidden to go over the rail. It is also not possible to pick anyone up in one’s arms at any point along the boardwalks whatever age they might have. The structure’s restoration has been carried out in order for it to have minimal visual impact without diminishing its safety. Therefore, mesh surfaces protect visitors from the gorge with cables and materials that are light but extremely resistant.

What happens if it rains or if there is a lot of wind?

During rainy days or days with excessive winds, management is allowed the right to close the access for security reasons. If there is minimal rain, visit will still be allowed but umbrellas won´t be given the width of most parts of the boardwalk. Therefore, a raincoat will be required. Regarding the wind, access will be closed when it carries a lot of speed along the hanging bridge between the gorge at the exit section through Álora. The days the path is closed due to weather conditions information will be displayed on the official platform social media, email and our Telegram channel.

Is smoking allowed?

Smoking is forbidden at all times as well as lighting a fire. One must not forget this is a Natural Setting.

Are photos or videos allowed?

You can take photos or videos but without a tripod, or any other element that can block the way. Drones or similar devices are strictly forbidden.

Are animals allowed?

No, access to animals is strictly forbidden for security reasons including guide dogs. Guide dog harnesses are an obstacle that might endanger individuals in case of evacuation given the narrow width of the boardwalks. Individuals with sight problems might visit El Caminito accompanied by another person.
Furthermore, pets might hurt their paws between the boards on the boardwalk.

Are bulky objects allowed?

No. Bulky backpacks, bags or any other big object is forbidden for security reasons.

What kind of behaviour is expected from the visitor?

We expect you to respect other visitors and the Natural Beauty Spot, which is full of protected plants and animal species. Therefore, shouting is not allowed as well as listening to loud music, jumping or running along the boardwalks in order to avoid accidents.

Is there phone signal on the path?

Due to the geographic nature of the space which is between the gorges, there is almost no signal, except Vodafone coverage.

Where can I find information on El Caminito?

On the official Caminito del Rey platform, which is available in Spanish, English, French and German. Here you can find not only basic information about the natural spot the Caminito del Rey is placed upon but also information on the route along the Gaitanes gorge.

As of July 11th 2018, the Environmental Council and the Andalucia Territory management board published a resolution in order to regulate climbing activities along the Natural Area of the Gaitanes gorge and the Torcal de Antequera (Málaga).

Click hereto download the regulations and find out where climbing is possible and where it is forbidden