Once known as the world's most dangerous footpath, the Caminito del Rey was rebuilt in 2015 and is now a safe, thrilling walk that anyone with a reasonable head for heights can complete. It sits about an hour north of the city near El Chorro and Ardales, which makes it one of the easiest big-nature escapes you can do from Málaga in a single day.
The route at a glance
The full itinerary is 7.7 km and takes most people 3 to 4 hours at a relaxed pace. Of that distance, roughly 4.9 km are access paths and forest track, and about 2.9 km are the boardwalks themselves, including more than 3 km of suspended walkway clinging to the gorge, over 100 metres above the Guadalhorce river. The difficulty is easy to moderate: there is no climbing, just steady walking on wide boardwalks with continuous railings.
- Total distance: 7.7 km (about 2.9 km of boardwalk, plus access paths)
- Duration: 3–4 hours end to end
- Difficulty: easy to moderate; exposed to heights but structurally safe
- Direction: one-way only, from the North entrance (Ardales) to the South exit (El Chorro)
Tickets and prices (2026)
Guided bus tour: El Caminito del Rey Hiking RouteCheck availability →Buy through the official platform at caminitodelrey.info. A standard self-guided entry costs €10, and a ticket that includes an official guide costs €18. Numbers are strictly capped each day, and in spring and summer slots sell out weeks ahead, so book as early as you can rather than hoping for the gate.
- Standard entry: €10 per person
- Entry with official guided tour: €18 per person
- Shuttle bus between the two entrances: €2.50 (cash, paid to the driver)
- Parking at the visitor centre: €2 per day
Opening hours and closures
The site opens Tuesday to Sunday and closes on Mondays. Summer hours run roughly 08:30 to 17:00; once winter hours begin at the end of October, the site runs about 09:00 to 16:00. It also closes on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January, and can shut at short notice in severe weather such as heavy rain or strong wind. Selected Mondays are opened during peak months, so check the calendar when you book.
How to get there from Málaga
You have three realistic options: train, car or an organised tour. The train is the cheapest and lands you right at the finish line in El Chorro.
By train: Renfe runs services from Málaga to El Chorro station. The Cercanías (commuter) service from Málaga Centro-Alameda reaches El Chorro in about 53 minutes, and a Media Distancia regional train from Málaga María Zambrano can do it in around 42 minutes. Expect roughly €6 one way and under €10 return. Services are limited to a handful per day, so check timetables at renfe.com and book ahead, especially on weekends.
By car: it is about a 50–60 minute drive to the North entrance near Ardales, where there is parking. Remember the walk ends in El Chorro, so you will need to take the shuttle bus (€2.50) back to your car afterwards.
By guided tour: an operator handles the transfer, timed entry and a guide, which removes all the timetable and one-way logistics. It is the simplest choice if you do not want to juggle trains and shuttles.
Rules, restrictions and who can go
The minimum age is 8, and children must be able to prove their age with a passport or family book; anyone under 18 must be with an adult. Bring valid ID, as it can be checked at entry. Helmets are provided and there is a short safety briefing before you set off.
- Minimum age 8; under-18s accompanied by an adult
- Closed-toe walking shoes are mandatory — open-toe footwear is refused
- Selfie sticks and drones are not allowed on the walkway
- No pets; only ticket holders may enter
- Toilets are at the entrances only, not along the path
What to bring and how to time it
There is no shade and no water point on the boardwalk, so come prepared. In summer, the early slots are far more comfortable than midday, when the gorge bakes.
- Water and a light snack (nothing is sold on the walkway)
- Sun protection: hat, sunscreen and sunglasses
- Sturdy closed shoes with grip
- A phone or camera — the views genuinely earn the photos
- Valid ID for you and proof of age for children