--- title: "Caminito del Rey from El Paraíso: tickets, parking, drive and tips" url: "https://paraisogolfretreat.com/blog/caminito-del-rey-from-el-paraiso" locale: en published_at: 2026-10-19 updated_at: 2026-10-19 generated_at: "2026-10-20T04:25:49.443Z" slug: caminito-del-rey-from-el-paraiso category: Travel Info author: Mex Smits --- # Caminito del Rey from El Paraíso: tickets, parking, drive and tips _2026-10-19 · by Mex Smits · Category: Travel Info_ Our Caminito del Rey guide from the apartment in El Paraíso: official ticket prices and booking, opening days and age limit, the drive, parking and the shuttle bus, tours, what to bring and a simple day plan. If you want one proper adventure during a holiday on the Costa del Sol, make it the **Caminito del Rey**. This walkway pinned to the cliffs of the Gaitanes gorge runs between Ardales and El Chorro in the hills north of Málaga, and it is one of the most spectacular landscapes in Andalucía. On my visit I was surprised by the height, the views and the calm, almost quiet atmosphere in the gorge. Here is my experience, plus the practical part: tickets, parking, the shuttle bus and the drive from our apartment in El Paraíso. This is the English version of our Dutch guide to the same day trip. For more ideas from the apartment, see [things to do near El Paraíso](/blog/things-to-do-near-el-paraiso-marbella) and our [Ronda day trip guide](/blog/ronda-day-trip-from-el-paraiso). ## What makes the Caminito del Rey so special? You walk on wooden boardwalks that hang straight off the rock walls, with tens of metres of drop below your feet. The path was built in the early 1900s for workers at the hydroelectric plants in the gorge, and it takes its name from King Alfonso XIII, who walked it in 1921 when the nearby dam was opened. For decades it was falling apart and known as one of the most dangerous paths in Europe. Since the restoration it reopened in 2015 as a safe, well run walk that anyone with normal fitness can do. The official site puts the full route at about 7.7 km. Roughly 2.9 km of that is the stretch between the two sets of boardwalks, through two narrow gorges and the open Valle del Hoyo in between. The rest is the access path at the start and the trail down to El Chorro at the end. The highlight for most people is the hanging footbridge at the southern end, about 105 metres above the river. ## Caminito del Rey tickets: prices and how to book Book on the official site, [caminitodelrey.info](https://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/). Each ticket has a timed entry slot. At the time of writing the official prices are: * **General ticket: €10.** You walk at your own pace. * **Official guided visit: €18.** Groups of up to 30 people with a certified guide, in Spanish or English. A few things worth knowing before you buy: * You can buy up to 10 tickets per purchase. After paying, you personalise each ticket in your account on the site, then download it. No need to print, a phone is fine. * Changes and refunds are not allowed. If the walk closes because of bad weather, you can swap to another date in your account, subject to availability. * Tickets go on sale in blocks of several months, and weekend and holiday slots go first. Book as soon as you know your dates. * Only buy from the official platform or a proper tour company. The official site warns that tickets from unauthorised sellers are not guaranteed. * The Visitors' Reception Centre does not sell tickets at the moment. Any tickets left on the day are sold at the ticket office at the northern access. ## Opening days, hours and age limit The Caminito del Rey is open Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays (apart from a few special Mondays a year) and on 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Entry slots start at 9:00, and the last slot is at about 14:50 or 17:20 depending on the season. Groups go in every 10 minutes. Children under 8 are not allowed in. Anyone from 8 to 17 must be with an adult and carry their original ID or passport, as staff can check ages at the entrance and along the route. The walk can also close at short notice for strong wind, heavy rain or repairs. The organisers send notices by email, SMS and Telegram, so check those the day before and the morning of your visit. ## Getting there from El Paraíso: the drive From the apartment it is about 85 km and roughly 1 hour 30 minutes to the car park at the Visitors' Reception Centre. Take the A-7 east to Marbella, the A-355 inland past Ojén towards Coín, then the A-357 towards Ardales and the MA-5403 to the reservoirs. The last part is a winding mountain road, so take it easy. With traffic, a coffee stop and the walk from the car park, allow 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours from our door to the entrance gate. You will need a car for this one: our [car rental guide](/blog/car-rental-in-benahavis) covers hire from Málaga Airport. Leave plenty of time. You need to be at the entrance at least 30 minutes before your slot, and the entrance is not next to any car park. From the El Kiosko restaurant by the reservoir it is a walk of about 25 minutes through a tunnel and the pine woods, and from the Visitors' Reception Centre you take the shuttle bus first. The official site recommends being parked at least an hour before your slot. If your slot is at 10:00, aim to leave El Paraíso by about 7:15. ## Caminito del Rey parking and the shuttle bus The route is linear and one way only, from the northern access near Ardales down to the southern exit at El Chorro (Álora). That means your car is at one end and you finish at the other. You have three parking options: * **Visitors' Reception Centre car park** at Puerto de las Atalayas, €2 per day. You can reserve a space when you buy your ticket. The shuttle bus stops here and takes you towards the start. * **Ardales municipal car park (P1)** near the northern access and the reservoirs, €2\. From here you walk to the entrance through the short lit tunnel (about 1.5 km, 20 to 25 minutes) or along the longer forest trail (about 2.7 km). * **El Chorro car park (P2)** near the southern exit. You park, take the shuttle bus up to the start, and your car is waiting when you finish. The shuttle bus between El Chorro and the northern side costs €2.50 per person and is not included in the walk ticket. It is valid all day in both directions. You can add it to your booking online, or pay the driver in cash: **cards are not accepted on the bus**. The ride takes about 15 to 20 minutes, and the stop at El Chorro is about 300 metres from the exit. The bus is not run by the Caminito itself, so check the latest timetable and last bus on the official site. ## Caminito del Rey from Málaga If you are staying in Málaga or flying in, the Caminito del Rey is closer than it is from Marbella. By car from Málaga city it is about 59 km on the A-357 and the MA-5403, a little over 50 minutes. Without a car, Renfe regional trains on the line from Málaga stop at El Chorro station, near the southern end, where you can catch the shuttle bus up to the start. Check the train times on the Renfe site before you book, as there are not many trains a day and they need to fit your slot. Our [Málaga Airport to El Paraíso](/blog/malaga-airport-to-el-paraiso) guide covers the drive down to the apartment afterwards. ## Caminito del Rey tour or on your own? Walking on your own with a general ticket is easy. The route is well signposted and there are staff at both ends. The official guided visit for €18 adds a guide who explains the history, the geology and the wildlife along the way, with radio headsets so nobody misses the explanations. Plenty of tour companies also sell a Caminito del Rey tour from Málaga, Marbella or other coast towns that includes coach transport and tickets. That is handy if you do not want to drive the mountain roads, but compare what is included and check the company is a proper agency, as the official site only guarantees tickets sold through official channels. ## On the walk: what you can expect At the control point at the northern access your ticket is scanned and you are given a helmet, which you must wear for the whole walk. You hand it back at the exit at El Chorro. The helmet is for safety, but it also adds to the feeling of adventure as you walk between the rocks and over the gorge. Everyone walks in the same direction and keeps to the right on the boardwalks. (Visitors in helmets walking along the wooden boardwalk beside the gorge) The path is mostly downhill, with some climbs and steps. The official estimate for the full visit, including the access paths, is 3 to 4 hours. The boardwalks themselves take about 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours. Walking is not advised if you suffer from vertigo, as the boardwalks are narrow and high, and near the end you cross that hanging bridge. ## What to bring (and what is not allowed) Wear sturdy shoes with grip. Walking shoes or trainers are fine, but flip-flops, heels and anything not fixed at the heel are strictly forbidden. Bring at least 1.5 litres of water per person, especially on warm days, and some snacks. Only water or energy drinks, chocolate, energy bars, nuts and fruit are allowed, and there is nowhere to stop for lunch on the boardwalks, so eat before or after. There are also no toilets along the route. Sun cream, sunglasses and a cap help, as a lot of the walk is in full sun. And bring ID, especially for anyone under 18. Not allowed on the route: large backpacks or bags, selfie sticks, tripods, umbrellas (bring a raincoat if rain is forecast), walking sticks, crutches and pushchairs, carrying anyone in your arms, pets, smoking and alcohol. ## Nature and wildlife One of the highlights for me was seeing griffon vultures, huge birds of prey with a wingspan of well over two metres. They glide silently over the gorge and make you feel as if you are in the middle of a nature documentary. The gorge is a protected natural area and a vulture colony, so you have a good chance of seeing them. You may also spot mountain goats moving easily across the steep slopes, and the emerald water of the reservoirs at the start is beautiful. ## When is the best time to go? Spring and autumn are ideal. In summer it can get very hot in the gorge, which makes the walk harder, so if you go in July or August book one of the first slots of the morning. Our [Costa del Sol weather by month](/blog/costa-del-sol-weather-by-month) guide helps you pick a good week. Winter can be lovely and quiet too, but wind and rain closures are more likely, so keep an eye on the notices. ## My personal experience I found the Caminito del Rey one of the most beautiful walks I have ever done. Not just because of the height and the thrill, but mostly because of a landscape you do not find anywhere else. The mix of calm, nature and impressive engineering makes it unique. The path is well organised and never felt unsafe or too touristy. Looking back it was a perfect day of fresh air, great photos and a little bit of adrenaline. (Mex on the Caminito del Rey with a view over the gorge and the valley) ## A simple day plan from El Paraíso * **7:15:** leave the apartment and drive up via Coín and Ardales. * **8:45:** park at the Visitors' Reception Centre or in Ardales, then walk or take the shuttle bus to the entrance, arriving by 9:30. * **10:00:** start the walk, helmet on. * **Around 13:00:** finish at El Chorro, hand back the helmet, take the shuttle bus back to the car. * **Afternoon:** lunch by the reservoirs or in Ardales, then drive back to the coast for a swim at the pool and dinner in Benahavís. Our [restaurants in Benahavís](/blog/restaurants-benahavis-el-paraiso) guide has ideas. Want more adventure closer to home? The [Benahavís River Walk](/blog/benahavis-river-walk-guide) is a short drive from the apartment, and the [white villages near Benahavís](/blog/white-villages-near-benahavis) make another great day out. ## Conclusion A day trip to the Caminito del Rey is perfect if you want something active and special during your stay on the Costa del Sol. Whether you drive yourself or go with a group, the route is very doable and shows you southern Spain in a completely different way. Book your tickets early, bring cash for the bus, put your helmet on, look up for the vultures and enjoy a path that was once known as the most dangerous in Europe but is now mostly unforgettable. ## Plan your stay El Paraíso is a calm base for days like this: golf views, outdoor dining, and the coast, the mountains and the Caminito del Rey all within driving distance. Check dates on our [homepage](/) or on the [Airbnb listing](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/1444857010046569472). Dutch readers can read the same day trip in Dutch as [Caminito del Rey: avontuurlijke dagtrip](/nl/blog/caminito-del-rey-dagtrip). _Written by Mex Smits_ Prices, opening days, slot times, shuttle bus times and rules can change. Check the official Caminito del Rey site before you book and again on the day of your visit. Hero photo: boardwalk in the Gaitanes gorge on the Caminito del Rey, by Diego Delso, via [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Caminito%5Fdel%5FRey,%5FM%C3%A1laga,%5FEspa%C3%B1a,%5F2023-05-18,%5FDD%5F44.jpg), licensed [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) (cropped and resized).