# Caminito del Rey, Málaga > The Caminito del Rey, the King's Little Path, is a boardwalk pinned to the sheer walls of the narrow El Chorro gorge, an hour from Málaga. First built in the early 20th century, it reopened in 2015 after a major rebuild. A turquoise river runs far below, the path clings high above the water and a suspension bridge crosses the canyon at the end. Entry is on a timed ticket and everyone gets a helmet; allow 3–4 hours including the approach. Web page: https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/caminito-del-rey - City: [Málaga](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga), Spain - YesGo score: 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) - Time on site: 4 h - With kids: Better without small kids - Entry: Timed ticket, book online ahead - Hours: Daytime; often closed Mondays - Time needed: 3–4 hours with the approach - Direction: One way only, north to south - Helmet: Provided at the entrance - Location: El Chorro gorge near Ardales - Coordinates: 36.91583, -4.77278 - Facts checked: 11.11.2026 ## Key facts - **Early 20th c.** — the first path was built (source: English Wikipedia) - **2015** — reopened after rebuilding (source: English Wikipedia) - **El Chorro** — the gorge the path follows (source: English Wikipedia) - **≈ 1 hour** — from Málaga to the entrance (source: English Wikipedia) ## About the Caminito del Rey The Caminito del Rey is a boardwalk fixed to the sheer walls of the **El Chorro** gorge near the town of Ardales in Málaga province. It was built in the **early 20th century** for workers at a hydroelectric plant, and earned the name King's Path after the King of Spain came to open the dam. Today a new, safe walkway with railings follows the old route, reopened in **2015** after a major rebuild. Underfoot is wooden decking, with glass panels in places; on one side the rock, and far below a turquoise river. It's one of Andalusia's most popular walks. ## What the route holds - **The approach through pine woods** — to the northern entrance. - **The first gorge** — a path above turquoise water. - **The Hoyo valley** — an open stretch of rocks and pines. - **The second gorge** — the tallest, narrowest walls. - **The suspension bridge** — crossing the canyon at the end. - **The old path** — visible below the new boardwalk. ## How the route works The route runs **one way only**, north to south. First comes an approach along a forest track from the car park or bus stop to the northern entrance, where tickets are checked, **helmets** handed out and a short briefing given. Then the gorge itself: the path hugs the cliff above the drop, then opens into a valley of pines and grazing mountain goats. The most dramatic stretch is the **second gorge** near the end, where the walls close in and rise almost vertically. The ruined old path is visible beneath the new boardwalk, and a **suspension bridge** across the canyon finishes the walk. From the southern exit it's about half an hour on foot to El Chorro station. > **Tickets and rules** Tickets are sold only on the official website for set times, and in high season they sell out weeks ahead. Young children aren't admitted, and large backpacks and selfie sticks aren't allowed. The path closes in strong wind or rain. Check the rules and schedule on the official website before you go. ## Safety and heights The new path is solid: wide decking, high railings and netting, plus a helmet for everyone against small falling stones. Almost anyone of normal fitness can walk it. It does run high above the river, though, so if you're nervous of heights the first minutes may feel uneasy; most people settle quickly. Take your time on the glass panels and the suspension bridge, stop, look down and take a photo. Hold phones and cameras tightly, ideally on a strap: anything dropped into the gorge is gone for good. ## How to get there from Málaga 1. Train from Málaga to **El Chorro** station, about 45 minutes. 2. From the station, a bus to the northern entrance; walk back after. 3. By car, about an hour, with parking at the northern entrance. 4. Tours with transfers run from Málaga and coastal resorts. ## Tips for the walk Wear closed shoes with good grip and bring water, as there are no cafés or shops on the route. In summer, choose a morning slot: the gorges get hot and shade is patchy. A hat and sunscreen help in the open valley halfway along. Plan the logistics: you enter in the north and exit in the south, then need to get back to the station or car park. Many people park at El Chorro station, take the shuttle bus to the entrance and walk back afterwards. The Caminito pairs well with lunch by the Guadalhorce reservoirs above the gorge, with cafés and swimming spots, a great day in nature after city walks in Málaga. ## Before you go Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser. - [ ] Book a timed ticket weeks ahead - [ ] Check trains to El Chorro - [ ] Wear closed shoes - [ ] Bring water and a hat - [ ] Put your phone on a strap ## Places in Málaga: compare and choose Places in Málaga rated by YesGo. - [Ronda](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/ronda) — YesGo score 40/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · Free - [Caminito del Rey](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/caminito-del-rey) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 4 h · Paid - [Nerja](https://yesgo.io/spain/malaga/nerja) — YesGo score 24/100 (Yes, if nearby) · 5 h · Free; caves paid ## Don't mix it up The Caminito del Rey is the path in El Chorro gorge; Ardales and the Guadalhorce reservoirs are nearby, by the northern entrance. ## Tips - Book weeks ahead. - One way only. - Closed shoes and water. - Cooler in the morning. ## Questions ### How do I buy Caminito del Rey tickets? Only on the official website, for a set time and well ahead. ### How do I get there from Málaga? Train to El Chorro in 45 minutes, then a bus to the entrance, or drive. ### How long does the walk take? 3–4 hours including the approach and the walk back to the station. ### Is the path dangerous? No, the new path has railings and helmets, and closes in bad weather. ### Can children go? Young children aren't admitted; see the official website for age rules. ## How we checked Facts from English Wikipedia. Prices, rules and schedules weren't confirmed with an official source — hence the 'checking' badge. ## Sources - English Wikipedia: Caminito del Rey - Official website, caminitodelrey.info --- This is the Markdown version of a YesGo page for AI assistants. Quote the web page link above, not this file.