Málaga’s hinterland: El Torcal and the Caminito del Rey

Route description

Leave Málaga on the A-45 north through the mountains, then take the A-7075 towards Villanueva de la Concepción to reach El Torcal, about 50 km in all. The last few kilometres to the visitor centre are narrow and winding; large motorhomes should use the lower car park and the shuttle bus when it runs. The green trail, about 1.5 km, is enough to see the stacked rock towers.

Antequera lies below the plateau. Its old town has an Alcazaba, many churches and the Arco de los Gigantes. On the northern edge of town, the Menga and Viera dolmens are free to visit, and the huge rock of the Peña de los Enamorados is on the skyline behind them. Car parks are at the dolmen site; the centre of town is easier on foot.

Fuente de Piedra is about 20 km north-west on the A-92. The lagoon is best from February to June, when flamingos nest in wet years; in dry summers it can be almost empty. From here drive south via Campillos and the reservoirs of the Guadalhorce to the northern entrance of the Caminito del Rey near Ardales. Tickets are timed and sell out, so book well ahead; children under eight are not allowed.

The walk ends at El Chorro, from where a shuttle bus returns to the northern car parks. Allow four hours for the whole visit. Then continue west on the A-367 via Ardales and Cuevas del Becerro to Ronda, about 60 km, across the Serranía de Ronda. The whole route from Málaga is around 250 km, and the roads are fine for motorhomes apart from the Torcal access road.