A GUIDE TO VISITING CAMINITO DEL REY IN SPAIN
COMPREHENSIVE CAMINITO DEL REY GUIDE:
ABOUT
WHEN TO VISIT
WHERE TO STAY
HOW TO GET TO CAMINITO DEL REY
GETTING TO THE START OF THE TRAIL
CAMINITO DEL REY HIKE
CATCHING THE BUS
FINAL TIPS
El Caminito del Rey is a walkway, pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge in El Chorro, near Ardales in the province of Málaga, Spain. The name derives from the original name of Camino del Rey, abbreviated locally to el caminito. The walkway had fallen into disrepair and was partially closed for over a decade. It was previously known as “the world’s most dangerous hike” following five deaths between 1999 and 2000. The hike reopened in 2015 with a new walkway. [The Rough Guide to Andalucia, 1995]
While doing tons of research on my husband and I’s Spain trip, I came across this hike and knew that we had to do it!
The path is closed every Monday, and January 1st, December 24th, 25th and 31st December.
The hike is doable year round. The opening hours differ depending on the season: in the winter season (November–March) 10 am to 2 pm; in summer season (April–October) the walkway is open from 10 am to 5 pm. One can enter every 15 to 30 minutes.
Ronda
This beautiful white-washed city is home to the famous Puente Neuvo. Located on a hill-top overlooking a deep gorge, this is one of the most famous of Andalucia's pueblo blancos (white towns). You will not be disappointed in the impressive views if you decide to make this your base camp for the night. I would recommend a stay at Hotel La Fuente de la Higuera which is a converted olive mill with amazing views or for a more luxury property, Hotel Montelirio.
Málaga
Málaga is known to many as the gateway to the Costa del Sol. Having not been here myself, I cannot really recommend it personally, but given the chance, I would definitely love to visit. I would recommend staying at Palacio Solecio, which is a luxury hotel in Málaga.
Antequera
Antequera is a city most known for its ancient burial mounds. Hotel options here include: Finca Eslava and Hotel Convento La Magdalena.
C/O CAMINITO DEL REY
BY ROAD:
If you travel by road from Málaga through Ardales or Álora:
If you start your trip in Málaga City, take the A–357 motorway and go towards the MA-5403, through the Towns of Cártama, Pizarra, Carratraca, and Ardales. This route is 59.1 km long, and it takes a bit more than 50 minutes by car. In Pizarra, you can also go to Álora by road, and then along the A-343 to El Chorro Train Station. This route is a little bit longer – 60 km, and you will take a little more than one hour to get to your destination. The road is narrower and curvier than the previous one.
Coming from Antequera:
From most points of Andalusia, placed to the north of the El Caminito del Rey, the best way to the trail is coming from Antequera (which is usually accessed by the A-92 motorway). At Antequera, you can choose one of the following two ways:
a) The first one is towards Camplillos (the A-384 motorway), which leads to the reservoirs of El Chorro (A-357 and MA-451) in Ardales. This route is 55 km long and takes about 54 minutes.
b) The other one is from Antequera to Abdalajís Valley (A-343), and then to El Chorro Train Station (MA-4401). This route roads are much narrower, have more curves and their surface is worse. Nevertheless, the way is shorter (34 km long, and you take 45 minutes).
Coming from Ronda:
Finally, you can also arrive at the trail coming from Ronda, along the motorway that stretches from Cadiz (A-367) and goes to Ardales. There you can take the above MA-5403. This route is 60 km long and takes one hour to be crossed.
BY TRAIN:
On 1st February RENFE short-distance trains are starting to run again, offering tickets which include journeys by Train and Bus, and the entrance to El Caminito del Rey
These trains connect Málaga and Seville, but use the road between the stations in Pedrera and Osasuna and the opposite. The rest of the route is along the railway).
• Direction Sevilla-Málaga:
1. Train MD 13900 (34950), which stops at El Chorro station at 10:15 a.m.and leaves it at 10:24 a.m.
2. Train MD 13904 (33904), which stops at El Chorro stationat 3:49 p.m. and leaves the station at 3:50 p.m.
• Direction Málaga-Sevilla:
1. Train MD 13907, which stops at El Chorro at 4:51 p.m. and leaves the station at 4:52 p.m.
The train that goes from Málaga to Ronda and back keeps using the road and has no station El Chorro-Caminito del Rey.
The above information can be found in detail on Caminito del Rey’s official website - Please check there for any updates to roadways or parking situations.
There are two paths if you come from the surroundings of the Conde de Guadalhorce (the Count of Guadalhorce) Reservoir in Ardales. The first one is shorter and it takes from 20 to 25 minutes. It goes through the smaller lit tunnel, which is placed some 200 m before El Kiosko restaurant, to the control cabin at the Gaitanejo Hydroelectric Power Station. The second path is longer, and it starts at the Chair of Alfonso XIII (this is a signposted downhill path). These 2.7 km can be covered in 50 minutes.
It is 10 minutes distance from the control point to the access to the boardwalks.
Total length of the inland route takes 150 minutes to be crossed: The controlled area: boardwalk – Hoyo Valley – boardwalk.
From the boardwalk exit at El Chorro (Álora) to the control cabin: 15 minutes.
From the control cabin (Álora) to the train station: 15 minutes (the distance from point 4 to 5 is 2.1 km).
When you come to the end of the path, you can take the train or go to your car if you parked it at El Chorro. If not, you should go back to the northern access by shuttle bus or on foot (as mentioned before, this way is rather long and goes along a narrow local road with no hard shoulder at some points).
See full details on the website linked above.
All-in-all, the hike was not strenuous in any respect. The path is mostly flat with a few stairs. I am actually very afraid of heights - if this is you, then I would take a look at photos or watch some videos before attempting this hike. The path is literally suspended to the side of the canyon with a raging river running below you. The views are absolutely breathtaking!
The pathway recently reopened after being closed for several years. When you are walking through the canyon, you can see why! Much of the old path remains below the new one..there are no handrails, many broken boards, among other hazards - you can easily see why this was named as one of the most dangerous hikes to attempt. The Spanish government really did an excellent job repairing this hike and making it as safe as possible to enjoy!
After you have hike the 5 km, you will either need to walk back to your car (which I do NOT recommend - it is very far!) or catch the bus. The bus pickup is a hike in and of itself to be honest. There were several signs that stated “bus stop 300 m”. I feel like this was actually the longest part of the day. The bus ended up being almost a mile from the end of the hike so just keep going when you finish and eventually you will make it.
The bus picks you up and then will drop you off at either of the two restaurants at which point you can either grab a bite to eat or a cold beverage (the cider is wonderful!) and use the toilet before heading to your final destination for the night.
Buy your tickets ahead of time and do not miss your time slot! - We saw several people walk up to the control tower without realizing that they needed to purchase tickets in advance only to be turned away.
Take the shorter path to the start of the hike. If you go through a tunnel and you see a sign that states “Caminito del rey - 2.7 km”, then turn around! If you go out to the main road and walk a little ways down, then you will see another entrance that is a much shorter walk.
I do not think that you need a guide for this hike as the trail is very well marked and there are several employees that are interspersed throughout the trail. If you would like to have a guide, then you can book a guided hike here.
If you’re heading to Spain, don’t miss my How to Plan Your Own Andalusia Spain Trip.
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