How Scary is Caminito del Rey? Answering 11 Burning Questions

Visiting Malaga and planning to walk the Caminito del Rey? Then you’re in the right place! I recently visited and before my visit I had several burning questions running through my head. From, “how scary is the Caminito del Rey”, to “what do I wear”, and “is it strenuous”, the questions kept piling up.

Spoiler alert, the Caminito del Rey is nothing short of a wonder and I cannot wait for you to experience it yourself! I was genuinely sad when the hike was over, and I would do this hike again in a heart beat.

That’s enough about me. Here are all my answers to your burning questions on El Caminito del Rey!😍👇

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Table of Contents

Answering 11 Burning Questions on El Caminito del Rey

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Is Caminito del Rey free?

A narrow wooden walkway clings to the side of imposing, steep rock cliffs in a canyon. The path winds along the rock face with a river below, while patches of greenery sprout from the rugged stone under a clear blue sky. This is El Caminito del Rey in Malaga!

No, the Caminito del Rey is not free. You will need to book either a regular entry ticket, or a guided tour to be able to enter.

This hike is extremely popular, and the tickets sell out quickly – especially the regular entries, where you don’t have a guide. Make sure to book your tickets today, or as soon as possible!👇

Do you need a passport for Caminito del Rey?

When you book your ticket, you are required to provide your ID information. I provided my passport information and brought my passport with me just in case they would ask for it – like they do with La Alhambra in Granada.

While I was not asked to show my passport, it’s always better to be safer than sorry. I recommend bringing your passport or whatever ID you provided for your ticket, just in case they ask for it.

Are there toilets on the Camino del Rey?

The Caminito del Rey is a narrow path, making it impossible for there to be any toilets. However, there are toilets right before you start the Caminito del Rey – where you receive your helmets.

The Caminito del Rey walk lasts an average of 2.5 hours, so make sure to use the restroom before you begin this incredible journey.

What should I wear?

The Caminito del Rey is a very straight walk, so you can honestly wear whatever you are comfortable with – from jeans to leggings. I personally opted for leggings and a breathable shirt for extra comfort.

The only thing I’d recommend is wearing comfortable sneakers that have a good grip.

Is Caminito del Rey safe?

A narrow wooden walkway clings to the side of a steep, rocky gorge. People are walking along the path, surrounded by towering cliffs and patches of green vegetation. The sky is overcast, and the landscape offers a dramatic, scenic view. This is El Caminito del Rey in Malaga!

Yes! The Caminito del Rey was once the world’s most dangerous path, but it is not anymore. This is because there is now a new path, which actually sits above the old and dangerous path.

The only risk there is small rocks falling, but that is why people are required to wear helmets.

How difficult is Caminito del Rey hike?

As someone who’s only gone hiking once, but loves her daily walks, the Caminito del Rey was fairly easy. The path is, for the most part, straight with a few stairs scattered around.

Is Caminito del Rey Strenuous?

A narrow, winding pathway clings to the side of a steep, rocky cliff. People can be seen walking along the wooden and metal footbridge, surrounded by rugged terrain and sparse vegetation, with a large steel structure visible below. This is the very end of the Caminito del Rey in Malaga!

During the walk itself, the Caminito del Rey did not feel strenuous – only at the very end, when you have some stairs to climb. At the end of the walk I genuinely felt that I was ready to redo the walk, but once I sat down for lunch I certainly began to feel sore.

Here you can see the *very* last part of the Caminito del Rey! As it shows in the picture, there are a few stairs to take – not many, but your quads will feel the burn.😂

How scary is the Caminito del Rey?

A rugged, rocky canyon with a blue sky. A narrow path with people winds along the right side of the cliff. Below, an arched, stone structure is partially visible in the canyon wall. This is El Caminito del Rey in Malaga!

A group of people walking along a narrow, elevated pathway attached to the side of a steep, rocky cliff in El Caminito del Rey in Malaga! The path is surrounded by towering rock formations, creating a dramatic and rugged natural landscape.

Personally, the Caminito del Rey is not scary. The only time I felt nervous was when there were certain stairs with large gaps, and this was at the very end of the walk (pictured in the previous question).

Now… if you don’t like bridges and heights, you will probably find Caminito del Rey a bit scarier. As someone who isn’t afraid of heights, it’s easy for me to tell people to go on the walk regardless of the fear – because the Caminito is insanely beautiful. However, the heights get up to 100 meters (328 feet) above, so please think of yourself and how much you can handle.

Can you walk the Caminito del Rey without a guide?

Yes! Caminito del Rey is a straight forward path, so you can easily walk it without a guide.

What’s nice about going with a guide is that you will learn more about the history of the Caminito, any fun facts, and notice things you might miss by yourself. My guide, as an example, pointed my group and I to a fossil!

How long does it take to walk the Caminito del Rey?

I was expecting for the walk to take 3-4 hours, as that’s the average that people advertise. However, I went with a guide, Marcelo, and the walk only lasted 2 hours!

With that said, the amount of time it takes to walk the Caminito del Rey completely depends on your own speed or if you visit with a guide!

How is the drive from Malaga to Caminito del Rey?

The drive from Malaga to Caminito del Rey is fairly simple – but this answer also depends on where you park your car. If you park in Parking 1, the drive is very easy and from there you will take a bus for 2.5 euros that brings you closer to the entrace.

If you want to park right next to the entrance, the drive will get a bit trickier as you have to deal with many curves and tighter streets. There are pros and cons to both parking farther away, or closer.

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A narrow walkway suspended on a cliff edge under a blue sky, part of Caminito del Rey. Text overlay reads: "Caminito del Rey Burning Questions" and "Read now on lauradolcitravels.com.

Collage of El Caminito del Rey in Malaga, showing narrow paths through rugged cliffs and a bridge over a deep gorge. The text reads, "Answering FAQs: Caminito del Rey, One of the Best Things to Do in Malaga.

I have to ask…

Are you officially going to hike the Caminito del Rey? Did this article make you feel more at ease? Let me know in the comments!😊

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How Scary is Caminito del Rey? Answering Your Burning Questions