Crossing the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes along a path suspended more than one hundred metres above the ground is impressive even before you set foot on the walkways. The Caminito del Rey, in the province of Málaga, is now one of the most popular routes on the Costa del Sol and one of the most regulated: visits require a ticket, an assigned time and must be made in one direction only. Before booking, it is worth knowing its history, what’s new and a checklist that will help you avoid surprises.
Facts about the Caminito del Rey
The route is about 7.7 kilometres long, with nearly three kilometres running along walkways anchored to the rock, in places 105 metres above the río Guadalhorce. The name dates back to 1921, when King Alfonso XIII walked it to inaugurate the Conde del Guadalhorce dam; the path had been built years earlier so workers at the hydroelectric plants could travel between the two facilities. Over time, the concrete deteriorated and the route came to be considered one of the most dangerous trails in the world, until its restoration in 2015 reopened it to the public with full safety measures. Since then, more than three million people have crossed its walkways.
A place steeped in history and full of life
The gorge is not just a spectacular backdrop: it is a protected habitat. It is worth looking up, because griffon vultures, with wingspans of more than two and a half metres, soar above the canyon, along with falcons that hunt between the vertical walls. In the higher areas, it is common to see Spanish ibex moving across the rocks with an almost unbelievable ease. Along the trail, remains of the old hydroelectric works can be seen, as well as sections of the original path preserved beneath the new walkways.
The new suspension bridge and the glass balcony
The big new addition arrived in June 2026 with the opening of the new suspension bridge, the longest in Spain in its category: 110 metres long, with a maximum height of 50 metres and a passageway barely 1.2 metres wide, with a metal floor and cable-and-mesh railings. It is located on the final section, next to the railway’s iron bridge and the El Chorro tunnel, and is complemented by 300 metres of newly built trail. Besides adding excitement, it eliminates the kilometre-long descent over arid terrain that used to mark the end of the visit. The other must-see stop remains the glass balcony, the glazed platform projecting over the void on the walkway section, where almost everyone stops to look down.
Tickets, how to get there and where to park
Tickets can be bought on the official Caminito del Rey website up to three months in advance, in two options: independently, walking the trail at your own pace, or with a guided tour. Book as soon as you have a date, especially for weekends and public holidays, because last-minute places are scarce. The northern entrance is in Ardales and the southern exit in Álora; the route is linear and one-way, so to return to your starting point you will have to walk or use the shuttle bus connecting the two entrances, with a separate ticket. By car, from Málaga take the A-357 and then the MA-5403; from Antequera take the A-384, and from Ronda the A-367. There is also a train to El Chorro station. Parking at the northern entrance is regulated, while in the south there is parking next to El Chorro; in both cases, the final stretch to the ticket office is on foot.
Recommendations before entering
The Caminito del Rey does not require special physical preparation, but it does require a little planning. Alongside our tips for organising the adventure, here is the basic checklist to go through before leaving home:
- Booked ticket and identification document for access.
- Allow enough time: there is a walk from the car park to the access control.
- Closed, comfortable footwear suitable for hiking. No flip-flops or smooth soles.
- Water, a cap and sun protection. There are no fountains, toilets or bins inside.
- Safety helmet: it is provided at the entrance and must be worn throughout the route.
- Entry is not permitted for children under 8, or with pets, large backpacks, hiking poles, selfie sticks or drones.
- Check the weather forecast: strong winds or rain may force the trail to close.
- Keep your waste with you until the exit and never leave the walkways.
Afterwards, the area offers options for refuelling with local cuisine —porra antequerana, ajoblanco, migas or chivo malagueño—, such as the La Garganta hotel-restaurant, overlooking the reservoir.
A safe experience for almost everyone
If vertigo is your main concern, you can relax: the route is protected by high railings that greatly reduce the sensation of height, and anyone over eight can complete it without extensive preparation. Even so, the visit is not recommended for people with heart conditions, serious respiratory problems or reduced mobility. With your ticket booked, suitable footwear and a few hours ahead of you, all that remains is to enjoy the experience: look up, calmly peer into the void and understand why the Caminito del Rey has become the great symbol of inland Málaga.
06 September 2026
