The Caminito Del Rey was once known as one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. It’s located in the El Chorro gorge in the province of Málaga, Spain. It was closed in 2000 as the trail had deteriorated and became dangerous. In 2011 repairs began and the trail reopened in 2015. You can now safely hike this iconic trail! Keep reading to find out everything you need to know for the Caminito Del Rey hike. 
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Caminito Del Rey Hike Trail Length
The Caminito Del Rey hike is 7.7 km long which is just under five miles. It takes about three hours on average to walk the entire trail. The trail is linear and does not loop back around. You can only enter from the northern entrance in Ardales to the exit in the south at El Chorro in Álora. Shuttle buses go to and from the two entrances on a regular schedule.
Caminito Del Rey Tickets
You’ll need to book your trip to walk the Caminito Del Rey by purchasing tickets. You can do so on the official Caminito Del Rey website. Up to 50 tickets are available for every half hour. And you can choose what time works best for you online. As soon as you know when you’ll be visiting look at the website to reserve your tickets. During peak travel periods the tickets will sell out quickly.
The entrance is 10€ per person or 11.50€ if you choose the bus option to take you back to the car park. There is also an option on the website to go with a guide.
Join a Guided Tour From a Third Party
If you don’t have luck booking a spot that lines up with the time you’ll be visiting you can always go join a guided tour from a third party. Tour companies offer this as a day trip from nearby cities including Malaga.
This is what I did since spots were completely sold out during the days I would be in Malaga. I also found this to be a better option for me as I was traveling solo and renting a car would have been a more expensive option. Even though taking the train would be the cheapest option I found the tour to be a better option for me so I didn’t have to worry about the train times.
The tour I booked included roundtrip transportation from Malaga city center, a guide, and tapas at the end. I hiked at your own pace once I started the trail. The guide gave us info during the ride and at the start of the trail. The drive from Malaga to El Chorro is about an hour.
How to Get to Caminito Del Rey
Caminito Del Rey is located in El Chorro and can be reached by car or train. Keep in mind that the trail is linear, stretching from north to south, so visitors will need to take a bus back to the car park at the start of the trail. The northern entrance is in Ardales, and the southern exit is in Álora.
Malaga to Caminito Del Rey by Car
You can drive from Málaga to El Chorro through Ardales or Álora by taking the A–357 motorway and going towards the MA-5403 which takes about an hour. Málaga is a common place that most international visitors visit as its the closest major airport to Caminito Del Rey. It’s also a great place to visit as there are plenty of things to do in Málaga.
Malaga to Caminito Del Rey Train
You can take a train from Málaga Maria Zambrano station to El Chorro station. It takes 40 minutes and costs 6,25€ each way. The El Chorro station is located at the south exit of the trail so you’ll need to take the bus to get to the north entrance.
If you’re visiting from Ronda or Sevilla it is also possible to take the train from these cities as well. However, if coming from Seville you’ll have to leave from the Seville Santa Justa station.
Is the Caminito Del Rey Dangerous?
Dangerous? No. Scary? It can be. Parts of the trail can give some a bit of vertigo. The suspension bridge can be a bit nerve-wracking especially if you have a fear of heights. It does sway slightly with heavy wind. Some parts of the trail reach up to 330 ft (100 meters) above the river below. However, it is safe because the walkway is 3 feet wide (1 meter) in width and has guard rails.
What to Wear
Wearing comfortable shoes is a must but hiking boots are not necessary. The trail does go over some dirt paths but it’s well maintained. Most of the tail is a wooden pathway. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a hat to protect yourself from the sun before and after the start of the actual hike. You will have to wear a “hard hat” helmet (as seen below) which will be given to you at the beginning of the trail.
What to Bring
You’ll want to bring a small daypack with plenty of water (there isn’t any water along the trail) and a light snack. I usually take an energy bar or two along with some fruit and nuts. Also, take some cash for tapas and drinks after.
Things to Keep in Mind
There are no restrooms along the trail but there are some at the beginning and end so plan accordingly.
Plan Your Visit
I hope this helps you with your Caminito Del Rey hike!
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