You want to walk the famous walkway clinging to the gorge wall, a hundred metres above the river, but your head is full of questions. How to get there, where to leave the car, and whether tickets are still available. Caminito del Rey is located about 60 km north of Malaga, roughly an hour's drive. Getting there is simple, but two things can catch you off guard: the route is one-way, and entry slots sell out in advance.
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From Malaga, head north on the A-357 towards Cartama, then take the turn for Ardales and El Chorro (following signs for MA-5403). The whole route is about 60 km and roughly an hour's drive. The most convenient way to get here is by renting a car in Malaga, without depending on buses. Before you set off, check the traffic regulations in Spain.
Your destination is the parking lot at the visitor center. That's where the shuttle bus departs from to the trail entrance.
Tip: In your GPS, set "Caminito del Rey, visitor center" or the parking on the Ardales side, not El Chorro itself. The entrance is to the north; El Chorro is the end of the route.
The safest choice is the parking lot at the visitor center. It's the largest and has direct access to the shuttle bus. It costs around €2 per day (as of 2026).
There's also a smaller parking lot on the north side, below the El Mirador de Ardales viewpoint, at the same price. It fills up quickly, often by around 11 am.
Remember! In season and on weekends, arrive early. Spaces disappear before midday.
Caminito del Rey is walked in one direction only, from north to south. You enter from the Ardales side and exit at El Chorro. Your car stays in the parking lot.
The shuttle bus connects both ends of the route. The ticket costs €2.50 per person, paid in cash to the driver. The ride takes 15 to 20 minutes. On weekends the bus runs every 30 minutes (approx. 08:30–17:30), and hourly on weekdays.
Our advice: plan the shuttle at two points: from the parking lot to the entrance, and back from El Chorro after the walk. Check the time of the last service.
Entry to the trail alone costs around €10, with a guide around €18 (as of 2026). Tickets are bought online in advance, on the official booking platform. In season, slots sell out weeks ahead.
Remember! Without an advance reservation you often simply won't get in. Buy your ticket before you plan the trip.
The full route is 7.7 km, of which the walkway section itself is about 3.5 km. Set aside 2 to 3 hours for the walk.
Difficulty level: easy to moderate. You walk along wooden walkways bolted to the vertical wall of the gorge. A helmet is mandatory and included in the ticket price. In 2026, a new 110-metre suspension bridge opened, the longest of its kind in Spain.
Pro tip: wear comfortable, closed shoes, and bring water and a hat.
Children under 8 cannot walk the trail, no exceptions. Children aged 8 and up must have proof of age, and anyone under 18 may only enter under adult supervision. Planning more activities for the little ones? Check out our guide Malaga with Kids.
The most convenient way is by car, via the A-357 towards Ardales and El Chorro, about 60 km and an hour's drive. You leave your car at the visitor center parking lot.
Yes, a shuttle bus connects the parking lot with both ends of the route. It costs €2.50 per person. Every 30 minutes on weekends, hourly on weekdays.
The walk itself takes 2 to 3 hours. Including the drive from Malaga, parking, and the return trip, plan for most of the day.
No. Since its 2015 renovation, it's an easy-to-moderate route, with no climbing, on stable walkways with railings.
The old path was dangerous before it closed. The current route, opened after the 2015 renovation, is safe.
Cars for a mountain trip:
At Car4Rent Malaga you can rent a car with no deposit and no credit card required, with service in Polish, pickup at AGP airport, and no mileage limit within Andalusia.
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