If you’re planning, or considering, walking the Caminito del Rey, I couldn’t be more thrilled for you! Having recently hiked it myself, I have so much to share with you – especially mistakes to avoid. In here I will share about Caminito del Rey, along with things to know and tips to help ensure you prepare properly, and your hike goes smoothly!
Before my own hike I had several burning questions running through my head. From wondering about what to wear, what to pack, how to get there, and more. The answers to those burning questions, though, could not have prepared me for what I’ll be sharing in here.
Without further ado, here is everything you need to know before hiking Caminito del Rey, and some essential tips!👇
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Everything You Need to Know Before Hiking Caminito del Rey
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About Caminito del Rey
Once the World’s Most Dangerous Path, Caminito del Rey is one of the most popular and best things to do in Malaga.
Dating back to 1901, this path was built to provide access to a hydrolectric power plant, El Chorro. The name “Path of the King” came later on in 1921, when King Alfonso XIII came to inaugurate a dam near by.
The following years, due to lack of maintenance, the caminito began to deteriorating and simultaneously attracting thrill-seekers and climbers. As exciting as it was to walk the world’s most dangerous path, it came to end in 2000 after 5 people sadly passed away.
The Caminito del Rey was then shut down for 15 years, as it went through a major reconstruction so that people could continue walking it, but doing so safely.
With that said, the Caminito we see today is completely safe to walk – there is nothing to fear. The only minor thing would be rocks falling, and this is why everyone has to wear helmets.
How to Book Caminito del Rey Tickets
Important Tip: These tickets sell out very quickly – make sure to book in advance!
There are several ways to book your Caminito del Rey tickets. You can book directly through their website, where you will find the best deal: 10 euros for entry ticket, and 18 euros for a guided tour.
Tip. When you book through the website, you need to add your ID information before you can download the ticket. Secondly, you will need to download the ticket from the Website – you won’t receive it via email.
You can also book through GetYourGuide, where you have 3 different types of tickets: Entry Tickets, Guided Tours, and Guided Day Trip. The entry tickets and guided tours are more expensive on GYG, but it’s a nice option if you want all your booked activities on a single platform.👇
How to get to Caminito del Rey | Essential Tips Included
By Car
If you are coming by car, all you need to know is that there are 3 different spots where you can park: Visitor’s Center, Northern Entrance, and El Chorro. Each spot has its pros and cons.
The Visitor’s Center is the easiest parking spot to reach, but also the farthest one. If you park here, you will need to hop on a shuttle bus for 2.50 euros, that drops you off at the Northern Entrance. From here, you have a 20ish-minutes walk to the start of Caminito del Rey.
You could park directly at Northern Entrance to avoid the Shuttle Bus, but you will still have 20 minutes to walk to reach the start of the path. The con of this place is that you will encounter lots of curves and narrow streets when driving, and parking will be trickier.
El Chorro is only a good option if you are planning to spend the night, and want to park your car directly at the hotel. El Chorro is where Caminito del Rey ends, so if you park your car here, you will need to take the shuttle to the Northern Entrance.
Personally, out of these spots, my vote goes to the Visitor’s Center parking lot. Just make sure you park your car one hour in advance so you don’t have to rush to the entry.
By Train
If you’re staying in Malaga, you can take a direct train from the Malaga’s Maria Zambrano station to El Chorro station. This is the perfect option if you’re in Malaga and want the fastest and easiest commute. Depending on the availability or hour, you can get a one way ride for as little as $3.50 and the commute is usually around 50 minutes.
The only thing to note is that El Chorro station is at the end of the Caminito del Rey. This means that you will need to take a shuttle to the Northern Entrance, and then walk 20 minutes to the entry. Make sure to give yourself enough time to travel here so you don’t miss your slot!
Guided Day Trips (Entry Ticket + Transportation Included)
Guided day trips are the perfect solution for those who do not have a car and want to travel “hassle free”.
These day trips include the entry ticket and guided tour of the Caminito del Rey, as well as transportation. Simply choose your starting point (Malaga, Granada, Sevilla), and pick the day trip perfect for you!👇
Getting to the Entrance of Caminito del Rey
As mentioned above, depending on your method of transportation, there are several places you can park or be dropped off at. Whichever method you pick, you will need to reach the Northern Entrance and then walk for 20 minutes to the actual entrance of the Caminito del Rey.
In the Visitor’s Entrance parking lot, there will be a shuttle you get onto for 2.5 euros (cash only) that brings you closer to the Caminito. However, because you need to cross a tunnel to get to the start of the Caminito del Rey, you won’t be dropped off where the hike starts. Instead you will be dropped off by a restaurant from where you take a 20 minute walk to reach the entry point of Caminito del Rey.
Important Tip. This below is the sign you will see when you get dropped off. Make sure to follow the Road / Carretera (dark blue path) for the 20 minute walk.
With that said, make sure to park your car one hour in advance of your time-slot. Example: If you’re time-slot is at 1:30 PM, park your car at 12:30. This way you have time to enjoy the walk and do everything you need to do – such as using the restroom, buying a snack, etc.
Walking Caminito del Rey | What to Expect
Is it scary? Are there toilets? What’s the hike like? These are some of the burning questions that people tend to wonder before the walk.
Having recently walked it, I can tell you that the first thing you can expect is that you’ll find yourself saying “wow” every two steps.😍 The nature and scenery that surrounds you as you walk the caminito, is nothing short of breathtaking.
When it comes to the path itself and the difficulty, this is more a long walk than a hike. The path is straight forward for the majority of the walk, with a few stairs to climb. With that said, the walk is fairly easy and does not feel strenuous. The only “hardship” I had was at the very end, where there were a few stairs to climb and my quads felt on fire.😂
The length it takes to walk the Caminito del Rey depends on whether you’re with a guided tour, or on your own and at your own pace. From what I read online I was personally expecting the walk to last 3 to 4 hours, but being on a guided tour – it lasted only 2 hours!
If you’re going by yourself and at your own pace, you’ll likely spend closer to 3 / 3.5 hours, as there is endless beauty to admire and take in. Plus, if you’re taking pictures, that certainly adds to the time.
With that said, the walk itself is not strenuous, but you will likely feel a bit sore at the end of the walk due to how much you will walk.
Caminito del Rey Essentials to Pack
Here is a quick checklist of essentials to pack:
- Sunscreen
- Portable Charger. This is my favorite one!
- Phone Case with Lanyard!!! Last thing you want is dropping your phone.😅
- Camera or Fully Charged Phone
- Sunglasses
- ID in case they ask for it
- Snacks
- Large water bottle. Recommended size is 1.5 liters.
- Cash for bus
What to Wear Caminito del Rey
When it comes to outfits and what to wear when hiking Caminito del Rey, the world is your oyster! I say this because, being a fairly straight path, you can easily walk the Caminito in jeans.
I personally opted for leggings, a breathable shirt, and an oversized hoodie. From what I experienced, my most important outfit tips would be layers and wearing comfortable shoes with proper grip.
Important Note. If you bring a sweatshirt, make sure it’s a zip-up or it has a very large/flexible head space. This is because you will be wearing your helmet at all times.
Insider Tip. When choosing your outfit, checkout the official website’s Meteorology page, where you will find the most accurate weather prediction! Do not look at other pages or apps, this one is the most accurate.
Best Time to Visit Caminito del Rey
Malaga is the type of destination that tends to be wonderful year round, minus the scorching summers. The Spring and Fall always see the perfect non-extreme weathers, but are also the busiest times, If you want to avoid immense crowds, visiting in the late fall and winter is a great time!
I went during the last week of November and the weather could not have been more perfect. It was warm with a nice breeze, allowing me to stay comfortable throughout the whole walk.
If you’re planning to walk the Caminito del Rey within a short amount of days and haven’t booked your tickets yet, definitely check out the Meteorology page so you can choose the day with the best weather!
Hour wise, it depends on the month you’re visiting. For example, if you’re visiting in the summer or late spring, it’s best to visit in the morning to avoid hot temperatures. If you’re visiting in the late fall or winter, later in the day is better. For example, I went at 1:20 PM in November and it was the perfect time as the weather had gotten warmer by then.
What to do Near Caminito del Rey
Right next to the Caminito del Rey, there is an Embalse, “reservoir”, that you can swim in during the summer or simply relax by. I personally went there in the summer of 2023 with my boyfriend, and we had a good time!
While I haven’t had the chance to do these activities, or visit these places, yet, here are some other great things to do in El Chorro Natural Park:
- Visit the towns Álora and/or Ardales
- Go Paragliding
- Bird Watching
- Rock Climbing. I saw people do this while walking the Caminito!
Where to Eat near Caminito del Rey
When you are done with the Caminito del Rey, you will first come across a spot with various small vendors selling food and souvenirs. This is an outdoor spot, and it has a really fun atmosphere as everyone is eating, maybe drinking a nice and cold beer, while taking in the views.
If you want a more proper meal, or you have food allergies that restrict you, make your way towards La Garganta Restaurant. Being a restaurant within a 3-star hotel, this is a more expensive meal – but honestly, it was SO worth it.
Being celiac, this restaurant had plenty of gluten free options and an allergens menu. This restaurant also has the most incredible views, and it felt like the perfect “reward” post-hike.
If you go here, I strongly recommend trying the Falso Ravioli, Codillo, and… THE CHEESECAKE!!😍Sorry, got really excited – but this cheesecake is the best cheesecake I’ve had in my life (and I’ve had them all😂).
FAQs About Caminito del Rey
How difficult is Caminito del Rey hike?
For the majority of the walk, the Caminito del Rey is a very straight path. Occasionally there may a minor, steeper part to walk and at the very end there are a few flights of stairs to climb. I would say the stairs are the only time the Caminito del Rey feels intense, as you feel your quads burn.
To note, this comes from someone (me) who only hiked once in her lifetime, but loves her daily walks.
Can you walk the Caminito del Rey without a guide?
Yes, you can walk the Caminito del Rey without a guide! As I’ve already mentioned, this is a straight path that is easy to walk and navigate. If you want to hike Caminito del Rey by yourself and at your own pace, just know that these tickets sell out the fastest – so book them asap!
What is not allowed in Caminito del Rey?
There are a few things, from objects to behaviors that are not allowed in the Caminito del Rey. For example, tripods and drones are prohibited.
As always, as a tourist it is your responsibility to be on your best behavior and be respectful of the locals and local spaces. With that said, many things not allowed are honestly common sense – such as no littering, smoking, or pulling plants.
Before your trip, make sure to read their list of prohibitions – from objects to behaviors.
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For free information, here additional posts that will help you out with your upcoming Andalucían travels!👇
- How Scary is Caminito del Rey? Answering 11 Burning Questions
- How to Spend the BEST 7 Days Andalucia | Itinerary with Local Tips
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