Caminito del Rey

Literally translated as ‘The King’s Path,’ the Caminito del Rey is a breathtaking walk through the El Chorro Gorge. It is an unmissable day out in Malaga’s inland.

Recently refurbished, the Caminito was once a treacherous trail where some fell to their death. After re-opening in March 2015, the path is safe and secure for anyone brave enough to face its pretty extreme heights.

How (not) to Get There!

Despite being one of Malaga’s top wonders, the Caminito is not well advertised and is pretty poorly promoted.

The best and most advisable way to get there is by car.

El Chorro gorge is only an hours drive from Malaga but the Caminito itself is not the most accessible place to reach. There are two different areas; the exit, where you find El Chorro train station, and the North entrance, where you can park. Once you’ve finished the walk, there is a shuttle bus which takes you from the exit back up to the parking.

If you’re brave enough, you can try using public transport. However, as I found out, it is quite an ordeal.

One option is to take the train up to El Chorro train station but the service only runs twice a day.  The other option is to catch a train to a town called Álora and then a public bus to the entrance of the Caminito.

This sounds relatively straightforward. However, public transport in rural Andalusia has its own, unique rhythm. And, on a Sunday, it’s practically non-existent. Arriving at Álora train station, it is a good twenty minute walk uphill to the village centre. From there, there is supposedly a bus that takes you to the Caminito.

In reality, the town was completely dead on a Sunday with no sign of any bus service. Moreover, despite being the closest town, Álora is deceivingly far away from the Caminito. It is a good forty minute drive from Álora to the entrance so leave plenty of time.

In short, don’t use public transport. And don’t trust the transport advice you read. Lonely Planet has suspiciously little information about the journey and the advice on the Caminito’s official website just leaves you more confused than when you started.

In other words, it’s not worth it. Make your life easier and hire a car.

The Walk

Despite being poorly organised, the walk itself is unforgettable. The trail takes you through the El Chorro gorge which drops down into the Guadalhorce river.

There has been human influence here since the early 1900s when a hydroelectric dam was built in the cliffs. There are still signs of the old dam as you snake down the trail.

With it’s many twists and turns, the Caminito offers stunning perspectives of the surrounding scenery and wilderness The views are breathtaking. High up from the rest of the world, it is a tranquil and peaceful place.

The ultimate highlight of the Caminito is crossing the bridge that joins the two cliff faces. This is the only moment when vertigo can kick in. The bridge has a glass floor and the drop down to the river below is not for the faint hearted.

Bear in Mind

Reserve your tickets well in advance! The weekends get very booked up and sometimes there are no spaces until months ahead. You can reserve a guided tour but, from experience, it’s better to discover the views alone. You end up being stuck amongst a group of overexcited tourists who take photos every two seconds.

The Caminito is only open in the mornings. This means an early start, but you’ll be done by lunchtime. To make the most of the day, the best thing to do is pack a picnic for after the walk. El Chorro has stunning lunch spots in the surrounding forests where you can enjoy beautiful views of the gorge. 

Another recommendation is to have a drink at hotel La Garganta at the end of the walk. Once an old mill, this charming hotel offers stunning views towards the Caminito. It is the only signs of life for miles round and is a lovely spot to soak up El Chorro’s atmosphere.

So, if you are in the Malaga area, El Caminito del Rey is an absolute must-see. Walking down the impressive gorge, with it’s dramatic drops and stunning scenery, is truly unforgettable.