Caminito Del Rey

Everything you need to know before you go!

When I first saw pictures of el Caminito del Rey – small wooden platforms hanging off the side of a cliff over 100 meters (328 feet) in the air – I knew I had to go! I started trying to find out more information about it right away, however it was difficult to find answers to all of the questions I had before going. I’m hoping this post will answer all of your questions, but if not let me know and I’ll try to help!

What is the Caminito del Rey?

The Caminito del Rey was once known as one of the most dangerous hikes in Spain – some even say in the world! When looking up the Caminito del Rey, you may have even read about people dying on this hike. While this is true (you can hear more about that if you take a guided tour), it is now a very safe hike! El Caminito del Rey was built in 1921 while Alfonso XIII was king. He walked along the path and it was then named El Caminito del Rey or ‘the King’s Little Path’. Over the years the path was worn out and started to fall apart. The Caminito del Rey was completely renovated and reopened in 2015. It is now very safe with new platforms and boardwalks. However, the old platforms are still visible in some parts of the hike! These old platforms are proof of just how dangerous the hike used to be!

Even though it is now redone, it is still a very exciting hike! A majority of the hike is along wooden boardwalks that hang up to 100 meters (328 feet) in the air! You can see through the gaps in the boards. The hike even includes an open grate bridge and a glass platform where you can take pictures! Before we went I thought it might be a very difficult hike, however it was surprisingly easy. You follow a path for the entire hike. The most difficult part is climbing the steep, narrow stairs (although there are not too many of these).

The old path visible under the new path.

How to buy tickets

Yes, you do need tickets to hike el Caminito del Rey! You can purchase tickets on the official website by clicking here. Tickets directly purchased on the Caminito del Rey website are currently 10€ ($12usd) for a general ticket without a guide and 18€ ($21usd) for a ticket with a guide. Both tickets include the required helmet that you must wear, however the guided ticket includes a guide who will give you lots of information throughout the entire hike (in English or Spanish). It is important to book these tickets early as they usually sell out weeks in advance!!! While this is the cheapest option, you will also need your own transportation to and from el Caminito (see how to get there below).

Both tickets follow the same route. The entire Caminito del Rey is 7.7km (~5miles). That is broken down into the access ways (which total 4.8km (~3miles) before and after the entrance/exit gates) and 2.9km (~2miles) between the gates which include the famous boardwalks. It is also important to remember that this is a linear hike! It starts at the north entrance, close to El Kiosko Restaurante, and ends close to El Churro train station. You can only hike one way! That means once you get to the exit, you need to either walk back around to the entrance where you parked or take the shuttle.

Tickets + Transportation

Another option is to buy a guided tour that includes transportation. This is what we did as it completely eliminated the need to worry about transportation or having to use the shuttle at el Caminito, and it gave us more flexibility in what days still had tickets available! We paid 47€ from Malaga. The tour left the Malaga train station, took us directly to the north entrance of el Caminito, included a helmet and a guide, the bus was waiting at the exit so we didn’t need to return to the entrance, and it took us back to the train station in Malaga. The entire tour took 5 and a half hours from when we left Malaga to when we returned. It was about 2 and a half hours actually hiking. This was by far the most convenient option and I would recommend you to do this unless you have a car in Spain! They also have the same tour from Granada or Seville, however it is more expensive and is quite far.

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How to get to el Caminito del Rey

If you choose not to take a tour with included transportation, the easiest way to get to el Caminito del Rey is by car. However, it is possible to access with public transit as well.

The Shuttle Between Entrances

If you arrive at el Caminito del Rey on your own, keep in mind that it is a linear hike and at some point you will need to take the shuttle between the entrance/exit (or hike a lot more than is necessary). The shuttle is 1.55€ (~$2usd) which you can pay cash. It leaves every half hour and takes you from the north entrance to the exit and vice versa. If you park by the exit (or take the train there), you need to leave time to take the shuttle to the entrance before the time on your ticket! If you just miss the shuttle bus or if it is too full, you might end up missing your entrance time and not being allowed to hike!

By Car

As I said, the easiest way to get to el Caminito del Rey is to drive there. You can type ‘Caminito del Rey’ into your GPS. However if you want to park by the north entrance, you can search ‘el Kiosko restaurant el Chorro’ and it will take you close to the north entrance. As stated before, el Caminito del Rey is a linear hike. If there is space in the parking lot, I would advise you to park at the north entrance as you can then hike directly to the entrance gate in less than a half hour. Then once you finish the hike you can take the shuttle back to your car by el Kiosko restaurant. If you park at the exit by El Chorro train station, make sure you have enough time to take the shuttle up to the north entrance before your entrance time! Then once you finish the hike you will be at your car already.

How long does it take to drive there? Make sure you double check, however the approximate times are:

Malaga: 1 hour
Ronda: 1 hour
Granada: 1 hour 45 min
Cordoba: 1 hour 45 min
Seville: 2 hours

By Train

You can also access el Caminito del Rey by train. The train from Malaga Maria Zambrano station to el Chorro station takes less than an hour and usually operates 3 times a day. You can search train tickets here on the Renfe website. However, once you arrive at el Chorro train station you must still take the shuttle to the entrance of el Caminito. Make sure you give yourself enough time to arrive at the entrance gate before your ticket time!!! The train is 5€ each way.

By Bus

While it is possible to get to el Caminito del Rey by bus, it involves multiple buses as well as the shuttle to the entrance of the hike. If you need to take public transit, I’d advise you to take the train instead of trying to time all of the buses correctly to make it to el Caminito without missing your ticket time!

What to Bring (or not to bring)

I’ll start with what you shouldn’t bring as that is easier! First, you cannot bring drones. You also can’t bring tripods or selfie sticks. Even though it’s a hike, you can’t bring hiking poles with you. You also cannot bring big backpacks/other large bags.

So what should you bring? I brought a small drawstring bag which was allowed. If you have a similar bag, bring it along with:

lots of water
sandwiches/snacks
sunblock
some layers depending on the weather (we went in September and I was cold in the morning, but hot in the middle of the day!)

There are toilets, trashcans, and snacks before the entrance gate and once you leave the exit. However, when you are between the two gates doing the 2.9km section of the hike there are not any of these things.