The Caminito del Rey is one of the most thrilling walks in Spain. This one-way route winds through the dramatic Gaitanes Gorge, following cliff-hugging boardwalks, forest trails, tunnels, and suspension bridges high above the canyon floor. The scenery is spectacular, but for many people, the big question is whether those narrow walkways and dizzying heights are as scary as they look.
The Caminito del Rey once had the distinction of being one of the most dangerous walks in the world, when the original, deteriorating concrete trail fell into disrepair. It attracted thrill seekers from around the world, but in 2015, brand new boardwalks were built, making this a much safer walk. Some may say that it lost some of its thrill factor, but it remains one of the most popular hikes in southern Spain.
We walked the entire Caminito del Rey unguided, and in this guide, we show you exactly what to expect from start to finish. Along with step-by-step photos of the route, we cover how long the walk takes, how difficult and scary it really is, how tickets and the shuttle work, where to park, and whether the Caminito del Rey is worth adding to your Spain itinerary.
Our Caminito del Rey Experience
We walked the full length of the Caminito del Rey on our road trip through Andalusia, completing the route independently rather than as part of a guided tour. We photographed the experience step by step, so all of the photos in this guide are our own and show what you can expect along the route.
We’ve also hiked extensively throughout Europe and around the world, from exposed mountain trails in the Dolomites and Norway to routes in the Alps, New Zealand, and the US national parks. That experience gives us a useful point of comparison for the Caminito del Rey’s difficulty, exposure, and fear factor, and whether this famous walk lives up to the hype.
Caminito del Rey: At a Glance
LOCATION | Gaitanes Gorge, near Málaga, Spain
DISTANCE | About 7 km for the full experience, including the access and exit trails
TIME | Plan on about 3 to 4 hours from the entrance trail to the end of the route
DIFFICULTY | Easy to moderate
ROUTE | One-way, from the northern entrance near Ardales to El Chorro
TICKETS | Reservations are required; general admission is €10
GUIDE REQUIRED? | No. You can walk the Caminito del Rey independently
MINIMUM AGE | 8 years old
BEST FOR | Dramatic scenery, cliffside walkways, and a memorable half-day adventure
BIGGEST CHALLENGE | Heights and exposure rather than physical difficulty
August 2026 Update: In June 2026, Caminito del Rey opened a new 110-meter suspension bridge near the southern end of the route. The new bridge changes the final portion of the walk and eliminates several stair sections from the former route. We’ve updated this guide with the latest route, ticket, parking, and shuttle information.
New in 2026: Caminito del Rey Suspension Bridge
On June 10, 2026, a new suspension bridge opened near the southern end of the Caminito del Rey. At 110 meters (361 feet) long, it is the longest suspension bridge of its type in Spain. The bridge spans the gorge at a maximum height of about 50 meters (164 feet) and has a 1.2-meter-wide metal walkway.
The new bridge changes the final portion of the Caminito del Rey. It was constructed along with roughly 300 meters of new trail and provides a more direct route through this section.
Important: We walked the Caminito del Rey before this bridge opened, so the step-by-step photos in this guide show the previous route through the final section. The majority of the walk remains the same, but expect the experience near the southern end to look different from our photos.
What is the Caminito del Rey?
El Caminito del Rey (The King’s Little Path) is a walkway that runs through the Gaitanes Gorge. It was constructed between 1901 and 1905 to access the Hydroelectric Power Station El Chorro.
In 1921, King Alfonso the 13th walked this trail, giving it the name “Caminito del Rey.”
Over the years, the concrete trail fell into disrepair. Hikers and thrill seekers from around the world walked the crumbling concrete platforms, using mountaineering gear for safety.
In 2014 the original trail closed. Between 2014 and 2015, wooden boardwalk trails were built, replacing the original concrete trails. The concrete trails still are in place, they just sit a meter or two below the newer boardwalks.
The boardwalk paths run along the cliffs of the gorge. In some places, these trails hover 100 meters above the river.
How Long is the Caminito del Rey Walk?
It takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to walk the Caminito del Rey, depending on your pace and whether you take a guided tour. Guided tours generally move more slowly through the gorge. If you are walking independently and move at a quick pace, you can complete it much faster.
Including the walk to the North Entrance, the shuttle bus, and the additional walking at the end of the route, plan on 3 to 5 hours for the entire experience.
2026 update: The new suspension bridge shortens and simplifies the final portion of the route. It bypasses nearly 1 km of the former mountain descent and eliminates nine sections of stairs and about 30 meters (98 feet) of elevation change. This makes the finish easier and a little faster, but it does not significantly change our overall time estimates.
Caminito del Rey Stats
Distance: Approximately 4.8 km (3 miles) one-way when we walked it; the current route is slightly shorter
Difficulty: Easy
Time: 1 to 3 hours
These stats refer to the Caminito del Rey route itself, not the entire experience. You will also need to walk to the North Entrance and from the end of the Caminito to the shuttle bus or train station.
When we walked the Caminito del Rey, our route measured about 4.8 km (3 miles) from the North Entrance to the South Entrance. Since June 2026, the new suspension bridge has shortened the final section of the route, so the current walk is slightly shorter than the distance we recorded.
The Caminito del Rey is one-way only, starting at the North Entrance near Ardales and ending near El Chorro.
To reach the North Entrance from Restaurante El Kiosko, we used the shorter access route, which is about 1.6 km (1 mile). From the South Entrance, it is a 450 meter (0.25 mile) walk to the El Chorro bus stop.
TOTAL WALKING DISTANCE | Expect roughly 6 to 7 km (3.7 to 4.3 miles) of walking for the complete experience when using the shorter northern access route. The exact distance varies depending on the access route you use, and the new 2026 suspension bridge has shortened the final portion of the Caminito.
Why Do Caminito del Rey Distance Estimates Vary?
You may see several different distances listed for the Caminito del Rey because some measurements refer only to the trail through the gorge, while others include the walks to and from the entrances. The access route you choose to reach the North Entrance also affects the total distance.
In addition, the new suspension bridge that opened in 2026 shortened the final portion of the route.
For trip planning, expect to walk roughly 6 to 7 km (3.7 to 4.3 miles) in total if you use the shorter northern access route.
Caminito del Rey Trail Guide: What to Expect Step by Step
What is it actually like to walk the Caminito del Rey? Below, we take you through the route from the North Entrance to El Chorro, with our step-by-step photos showing the boardwalks, tunnels, forest trails, gorge crossings, and exposed sections along the way.
Map of the Caminito del Rey & Parking
Below is a map of the area, which includes the parking lots, shuttle bus stops, Caminito del Rey walking trail, and the walking route to get to the Caminito del Ray path.
How to Use This Map: Click the icons on the map to get more information about each point of interest. To take this map with you, click the star next to the title of the map which adds it to your Google account. Next, within your Google Maps app, select ‘Saved’ and then select ‘Maps’. This map title will now appear in your list.
Start: Restaurante El Kiosko
This restaurant is the starting point for the entire experience. There is a shuttle bus stop here (more on this later) and the drop off point for tours of the Caminito del Rey. A short walk up the street is a small parking lot.
This restaurant has three toilets and when we did this, it took us 30 minutes to wait in line to use the bathroom. There are also toilets at the North Entrance, but for whatever reason, they were not open during our visit (but there are quite a few of them and they look relatively new so hopefully they open soon!). Once on the trail, there are no toilets.
Water and snacks are available for purchase from the restaurant.

Walk from El Kiosko to the North Entrance
Distance: 1.6 km (1 mile) | Time: 20–30 minutes
From Restaurante El Kiosko, there are two walking routes to the North Entrance. We picked the shorter of the two (the official website uses the distance of the longer route in their stats). This walk starts off flat and runs along the road, then goes through a short tunnel, and then is a slightly downhill walk on a wide gravel road. This walk is 1.6 km (1 mile) and takes 15 to 20 minutes.

This is the map located at the El Kiosko Restaurant showing the two walking routes to the entrance of the Caminito del Rey. We walked the dark blue route, the shorter of the two routes.
North Entrance
This is where you will show your ticket and pick up your helmet.
There are three lines: those with tickets for a guided visit, those with tickets for an unguided visit, and a line to purchase tickets. On the day we did this, only guided tours were available for purchase.
Once you have your helmet and have joined your group (for those taking a guided tour), you will start the hike.
There are toilets here but again, they were closed during our visit.
Gaitanejo Gorge & the First Boardwalks
Distance: 1.2 km | Time: 20 – 40 minutes | Exposure: Moderate
As you walk the Caminito del Rey from the North Entrance, the very first thing you will see is the hydroelectric plant. This is a popular spot to stop and take photos, plus you will get your first glimpse of the gorge.


The first view into the gorge
From the start of the trail at the North Entrance, it is roughly a 400-meter walk to get onto the first boardwalk trail.

Entrance onto the boardwalk paths

The first series of boardwalk paths takes you through a very narrow gorge. This first section is the shorter of the two boardwalk trails and not quite as high as what you will walk later. It’s a nice warm up for what is to come.
Here is the first section in photos:





The Forest Trail
Distance: 1.5 km | Time: 20 – 40 minutes | Terrain: Easy, mostly level
Once you emerge from the gorge, you will walk on dirt paths that take you in and out of trees, with views of Rio Guadalhorce. This section is about 1.5 km (1 mile) long.

Desfiladero de los Gaitanes
Distance: 1 km | Time: 30 – 40 minutes | Exposure: High
Next comes the best part of the Caminito del Rey. This second section of boardwalk trails (called the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes) sits higher than the first section and is much more dramatic. You can see the old concrete paths sitting below the newer boardwalks, plus the views of the gorge are incredible.
Other perks of this part of the trail are a glass platform that hovers far above the river and spectacular views in all directions.

Entrance onto the second section of boardwalk paths

This is the view looking back towards the first gorge


One of the first things you will come to is this glass platform






This section ends with a walk across a suspension bridge and a few more boardwalk platforms clinging to the cliffs.


Desfiladero de los Gaitanes to El Chorro
Distance: 1.2 km | Time: 15 to 30 minutes | Terrain: Easy, mostly level
This is where the new suspension bridge was added.
In the photo below, you will walk down the wooden steps, then along the level boardwalk path. The suspension bridge sits in front of the green metal bridge and crosses the gorge on the right hand side of the photo. This new bridge eliminates a big stair climb and the walk along the path you can see in the far distance of this photo ↓. You can see a photo of the bridge on the Malaga website.

Here is another photo of the final boardwalk path. The new suspension bridge starts just before the long staircase, and crosses the gorge to the left of the green metal bridge. So now the walk is shorter and a bit easier, since it eliminates that big stair climb.

Once you cross the suspension bridge, your feet will hit another gravel trail. It is a relatively easy walk to the end point of the Caminito del Rey. Be sure to turn around every once in a while…you get a great view of the boardwalk trails attached to the vertical cliffs.

The gravel trail from the Caminito del Rey to El Chorro

Souvenir and snack stalls in El Chorro
Helmet Drop Off & End of the Caminito del Rey
The gravel path ends in El Chorro. Drop off your helmets here. There are small food and souvenir stands as well as toilets.
From this point, it is a 450-meter uphill walk to get to the shuttle bus stop in El Chorro.
Is the Caminito del Rey Scary or Dangerous?
The Caminito del Rey can certainly feel scary, but the modern route is very different from the crumbling pathway that once gave it a reputation as one of the most dangerous walks in the world. The restored Caminito reopened in 2015 with new boardwalks, railings, and safety measures. Visitors are also required to wear a helmet while on the official route.
For most people, the biggest challenge is exposure rather than physical difficulty. In places, the boardwalk is attached to a nearly vertical cliff with a significant drop below you. If you have a strong fear of heights, these sections may be uncomfortable, especially when looking straight down into the gorge.
We found the Caminito del Rey to be an easy walk physically. The boardwalks felt secure, and there are railings throughout the exposed sections. You do not need climbing experience, special equipment, or a harness.
That said, this is still a mountain environment, so basic precautions matter. Wear proper walking shoes, follow the posted rules, and do not run, jump, or block the narrow walkways. The Caminito may also close when weather conditions make the route unsafe.
Our take: If you are reasonably comfortable with heights, the Caminito del Rey is much more exhilarating than frightening. If heights make you nervous, expect a few heart-pounding moments, but the modern walkways are far safer and less precarious than photos of the historic Caminito might lead you to believe.
Is the Caminito del Rey Worth It?
Yes, the Caminito del Rey is worth it if you want to experience its dramatic gorge scenery and the thrill of walking on boardwalks suspended high above the canyon floor. It is a unique experience, and the setting is spectacular.
However, we didn’t enjoy it quite as much as we expected to. The Caminito del Rey is extremely popular, and the narrow route can feel crowded, particularly when you get stuck behind large, slow-moving guided groups. If you are an avid hiker, this can be frustrating.
The biggest thing is to set the right expectations. This is not a peaceful hike through nature. It is a busy, highly managed tourist attraction that happens to involve several kilometers of walking through an extraordinary landscape.
For us, the scenery and cliffside boardwalks made the Caminito del Rey worth doing once, but the crowds took away from the experience. If we were returning to Andalusia, we would choose a quieter mountain hike over walking the Caminito del Rey a second time.
Doing This Guided Versus Unguided
You have two options on how to walk the Caminito del Rey: guided and unguided.
We did the walk unguided. Tickets for unguided visits are very limited but it is the way to go. Doing this walk at your own pace and not in a large group is a much better experience, in our opinion.
This is a very safe walk and no special equipment is needed, other than a helmet, which is included with your entrance fee. You don’t need via ferrata equipment or special shoes, and no experience rock climbing or doing a via ferrata is necessary.
The only advantage of taking a guided tour, that I can think of, is having a guide to tell you the history of the gorge and possibly spot wildlife in the cliffs and mountains above the trail.
The guided groups move at a very slow pace. If you want to take lots of photos and learn this history, a guided tour may be worth it for you. But if you like to move a bit faster, or don’t like the idea of group tours, book an unguided ticket to the Caminito del Rey.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: For the best overall experience, book one of the first unguided time slot to the Caminito del Rey. You’ll get ahead of the tour groups and have the chance to walk the boardwalks with relatively few people. The downside is that there will be shadows in the gorge that early in the morning, so photography could be a bit challenging.
Caminito Del Rey Tickets
There are two ticket types:
- General (Unguided): €10
- Guided Visit: €18
Purchase your ticket in advance on the official website. Tickets are available roughly 3 months in advance. As soon as you know your dates of travel, book your tickets, because this is a popular activity and tickets sell out fast.
When you purchase your ticket, you will book a time slot for entry. This is the time you need to be at the North Entrance of the Caminito del Rey. It takes approximately one hour to ride the shuttle to the El Kiosko restaurant and walk to the North Entrance. If you have a 10 am entrance time, plan on parking no later than 9 am, to give yourself enough time to get to the North Entrance.
General (unguided) tickets are limited and sell out far in advance. If you cannot purchase an unguided ticket on the official website, check GetYourGuide. We purchased our unguided tickets on GetYourGuide since they were sold out on the official website. These tickets are called ‘Caminito del Rey: Entry Ticket’ on GetYourGuide.
Guided tickets are also available on GetYourGuide, if all tickets are sold out for the day you plan to do this walk.
IMPORTANT: Children younger than 8 years are not permitted to walk the Caminito del Rey.

How Do You Get to the Caminito del Rey?
The Caminito del Rey is located in Andalusia, Spain, near the cities of Ronda and Málaga.
The easiest way to get to the Caminito del Rey is by car. If you will not have a rental car, it is possible to travel to El Chorro by train and use the Caminito del Rey shuttle bus to get around. Another option is to join a guided tour from Málaga.
When is the Best Time to Walk the Caminito del Rey?
The best time to walk the Caminito del Rey is spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October), when temperatures are mild and crowds smaller.
Shuttles & Parking
If you have a rental car, there are two parking lots for the Caminito del Rey: one near the El Kiosko restaurant and one at the Caminito del Rey Reception Center.
There is a shuttle bus that makes a loop, connecting these two parking lots and El Chorro. The shuttles run roughly every 10 to 15 minutes, depending on demand.
Caminito del Rey Reception Center
According to the official website, the Caminito del Rey Reception Center is the preferred parking lot. This is a very large lot with ample parking. There are toilets here but for some reason they were not open during our visit.

This lot has parking attendants and we felt like our car was very secure here. If you are doing this hike and will have luggage or bags in your car, this is the safest place to park from our research and experience.
Parking cost €2, paid in cash.
This is where we parked and highly recommend it.
Parking near the North Entrances
There is a smaller lot near the El Kiosko restaurant (near the North Entrance). This lot is less secure from what we have read online and heard from other travelers.
The Caminito del Rey Shuttle
There is a large shuttle bus that connects all three lots. Buses arrive roughly every 10 to 15 minutes.
The shuttle costs €2.50 per person and includes your return trip. These tickets are purchased on the bus.
If you park at the reception center, board the shuttle bus and it takes approximately 10 minutes to drive to the El Kiosko restaurant. Walk the Caminito del Rey and then ride the shuttle from El Chorro to the reception center (about 10 minutes travel time).
If you parked at near the El Kiosko restaurant, do the hike and then ride the shuttle from El Chorro to the reception center (stay on the bus) to the El Kiosko parking lot.
So, regardless of where you park, you will have to ride the shuttle. If you park near the El Kiosko restaurant, you don’t have to arrive so early, which is an advantage, but parking is limited and we read reviews of theft being an issue in that lot.
PRO TRAVEL TIP: It takes about one hour to ride the shuttle to the El Kiosko restaurant and walk to the North Entrance, so plan on arriving to the parking lot one hour before your entry time.
What to Bring
- 🎟️ Your entry ticket
- 💶 Cash (euros) for parking and the shuttle
- 🛂 Passport
- 🕶️ Sunglasses
- 🍎 Food/snacks
- 💧 Water
A daypack is permitted but large backpacks are not allowed.
Putting it All Together: Caminito del Rey Timeline
Park at least one hour before the time on your entry ticket.
Ride the shuttle to the El Kiosko restaurant (if you parked at the reception center).
Walk to the North Entrance of the Caminito del Rey. Show your entrance ticket and pick up your helmet.
Walk the Caminito del Rey.
Drop off your helmet, have a snack, and then ride the shuttle back to your car.

Best Tours
If unguided (general) tickets are sold out on the official website, check GetYourGuide (this is how we purchased our tickets).
Guided tours can also be purchased on GetYourGuide, if these are also sold out on the official website.
You can also book a ticket on GetYourGuide that includes a guided tour plus the tickets for the shuttle bus.
If you will be staying in Málaga, this tour gets rave reviews.
You can also take a guided tour of the Caminito del Rey from Seville or Granada.
Tours & Tickets
What We Did
We booked our tickets roughly 5 weeks in advance and could only get a guided visit at 9 am. On the day we planned to walk the Caminito del Rey, we were driving from Granada to Ronda, with the plan of doing the walk on the way. However, rainy weather cancelled our walk.
Tim was able to book two unguided tickets via GetYourGuide for a visit two days later, which was amazingly lucky. We had perfect weather so everything worked out, maybe even better since we could do the walk unguided. We ended up doing this as a day trip from Ronda.
So, if you are booking your tickets last-minute or are struggling to get unguided tickets on the official website, GetYourGuide can really come in handy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How hard is the Caminito del Rey?
The Caminito del Rey is an easy walk that is 7 km (4.33 miles) in length. Visitors walk a mix of gravel roads, hiking trails, steps, and boardwalk trails attached to the rock faces of the gorge.
How long does it take to walk the Caminito del Rey?
It takes anywhere from 1 to 3 hours to walk the Caminito del Rey, depending on how fast you walk and whether or not you take a guided tour (guided tours generally take longer). Including the shuttle bus rides and additional walking to get to and from the trail, the entire experience takes 3 to 5 hours.
Do you need a guide for the Caminito del Rey?
No. You can walk the Caminito del Rey independently, which is what we did. The official website sells both general admission tickets for independent visits and more expensive guided tours. We preferred going unguided because we could move at our own pace, stop for photos when we wanted, and pass slower groups when possible.
Can children walk the Caminito del Rey?
Yes, but children must be at least 8 years old to walk the Caminito del Rey. Children ages 8 to 17 must be accompanied by an adult, and you should bring an original ID or passport to verify their age.
Is the Caminito del Rey one-way?
Yes. The Caminito del Rey is a one-way route from Ardales in the north to Álora/El Chorro in the south. You cannot simply turn around and walk back to where you started, which is why you need to factor the shuttle bus into your transportation plans.
What happens if the Caminito del Rey closes because of rain or bad weather?
The Caminito del Rey can close when weather conditions make the route unsafe, so it is a good idea to have some flexibility in your itinerary. If you purchased tickets directly from the official website and the route closes, you can use your online account to select another date or contact the Caminito del Rey about your tickets. This happened to us. Our first visit was cancelled because of rain. We had booked through GetYourGuide and received a refund, and fortunately we found two available tickets for the following day. We got lucky: tickets frequently sell out, so rescheduling for the next day may not be possible. If walking the Caminito del Rey is a priority, consider scheduling it earlier in your stay rather than on your final day in the area.
Are there toilets on the Caminito del Rey?
There are toilets at the entrance and exit, but there are no restrooms once you are on the Caminito del Rey itself, so use the facilities before starting the walk.
Things to Do Near the Caminito del Rey
RONDA | We visited the Caminito del Rey from Ronda, a small town packed with charm. Find out the Best Things to Do in Ronda and how to see the highlights on our one day walking tour.
SEVILLE | This is the largest city in Andalusia. We have a detailed guide on the Best Things to Do in Seville, plus how to spend One Day in Seville and Two Days in Seville.
CÓRDOBA | We loved the two days we spent in Córdoba, and wrote both a One to Two Day Córdoba Itinerary and an article about the Best Things to Do in Córdoba.
GRANADA | In Granada, the Alhambra is not to be missed, but this is also a great place to shop, to see a few famous attractions, and to dine with a view of the Alhambra. Get the full list in our guide Things to Do in Granada.
If you have any questions about the Caminito del Rey or if you would like to share your experience, you can do so in the comment section below.
Plan Your Trip to Spain
We have TONS more information about Spain in our Spain Travel Guide, including Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Andalusia, and the Rioja Wine Region.



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