Caminito del Rey
Ardales, Spain
A boardwalk pinned to the walls of the Gaitanes gorge, walked one way over about 7.7 km including the access paths. Book tickets ahead, park near the northern entrance and use the shuttle bus back from El Chorro.
The Caminito del Rey runs through the Garganta del Chorro (Desfiladero de los Gaitanes) gorge on the Guadalhorce. The route is about 7.7 km long, of which roughly 2.9 km is wooden walkway and the rest access paths. The path was built between 1901 and 1905 for a hydroelectric project; it owes its name to King Alfonso XIII, who by the usual account walked it in 1921 at the inauguration of the Conde del Guadalhorce dam. Closed after fatal accidents in 1999 and 2000, it reopened in 2015.
It is walked in one direction only, from the north entrance near Ardales to El Chorro in the south; allow three to four hours. Tickets with a fixed time slot must be booked online in advance, helmets are provided at the entrance and a shuttle bus links the two ends. Since June 2026 there has also been a 110 m suspension bridge as an alternative to the final descent (as of October 2026). The path may close in heavy rain or wind.
- Nearest town
- Ardales, Spain
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 36.9236, -4.7717
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and December–February. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Spain: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Many former toll motorways are now free; some AP roads still charge. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Sources
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- Olive BranchCampsite3 km from Caminito del ReyWi-Fi
- Finca La Campana El ChorroCampsite3 km from Caminito del Rey
- Parque Ardales Zona 1Campsite3 km from Caminito del ReyTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Alora Area autocaravanasMotorhome stopover13 km from Caminito del Rey · 4 pitchesMotorhomesDrinking waterWaste disposalFree
- Camping Park PizarraCampsite15 km from Caminito del ReyTentsCaravansShowersToilets
- Camping La SierrecillaCampsite22 km from Caminito del ReyTentsCaravans
All campsites in Spain · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Caminito del Rey?
Caminito del Rey is in Ardales, Spain, at GPS 36.9236, -4.7717. It is about 22 km from Antequera.
Can you camp near Caminito del Rey?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Olive Branch, about 3 km away; within 25 km there are 12 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Caminito del Rey?
Caminito del Rey is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Málaga’s hinterland: El Torcal and the Caminito del Rey.
What is there to see near Caminito del Rey?
Places worth a stop nearby: El Torcal de Antequera (20 km), Antequera Dolmens (23 km), Fuente de Piedra lagoon (23 km) and Setenil de las Bodegas (37 km).
When is the best time to visit Caminito del Rey?
The most pleasant months are usually March–May and October–November. Still fine, with some compromises, in June, September and December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)