Getting there

The Caminito del Rey, The King´s path © Michelle Chaplow
The Caminito del Rey, The King´s path

EL CAMINITO DEL REY

Getting there

By Car

The Ardales Camino del Rey Information point is located at (36.932480, -4.788978)  which is actually at the end of the long access road to the hydro electric station by the Gaitanejo reservoir dam.

The official starting point of the Camino de Rey access path is on the country road MA-444  (which branches off the MA-5403 6 km east of Ardales) just south where it crosses over the Conde de Guadalhorce Dam by the Sillon del Rey (King's seat) a stone seat where King Alfonso XIII signed off the dam in 1926, It is near a popular roadside restaurant called "El Kiosko".  (GPS 36.931863, -4.801762) The official shuttle bus service from the Visitors centre or El Chorro path exit point drops of passengers here.

We recommend parking at the new visitors centre (GPS 36.91464175, -4.807614262) and taking the shuttle bus to here rather than parking here. However parking here by the side of the road is possible although you may have to scout around. To join the main access path walk through the little tunnel just to the right of the El Kiosko restaurant and on leaving the tunnel, take the path immediately to the right which is signposted "Camino del Rey 2.7 km". Follow this path through the woods up to the ridge and then take a signposted "Camino de Rey 1.8km" right turn to drop down and walk with the Gaitanejo reservoir below on your left. Where the path meets the access road you will find the information office for registration and collection of safety hats. Allow 30 to 50 minutes for this access path walk. 

A shorter alternative access road (not path) has become more popular, it leaves the MA-444 just south of the small tunnel on the MA-444 near the restaurant El Mirador de Ardales (900m south of El Kiosko on the MA-444).  As an easier and quicker alternative to the official access path you can park around this junction (GPS 36.927564 -4.801131)  and walk along the access road instead of the access path to the Camino del Rey information office. Don't forget the further you drive down this access road looking for parking, the further you may have to walk on your return. The return shuttle bus service from the end of the walk at El Chorro only sets down at 'El Kiosko'. Allow 25 minutes for this access road walk. There is a 2€ car park just north of the tunnel under El Mirador de Ardales but it fills up by 11.00 hrs. 

Return bus service

A shuttle bus service runs from the path exit point, to the Visitors Centre and on to the walk starting point - 12km by road for 2.50€. The bus runs every day the Caminito del Rey is open, with a frequent service from 07.50 to 19.00 in the Summer (1st April to 31 October). The bus conveniently stops right outside El Kiosko restaurant at the northern Ardiales start access and picks up outside the El Chorro railway station near the exit point. If you did not buy the bus ticket together with the walk ticket you can pay the driver 2.50€ cash. 

If you don't use the bus, you will need to take two cars or leave a member of the party to drive to the El Chorro exit. 

TRAIN TO EL Chorro

Only a few trains stop each day at El Chorro station, which is conveniently located near the exit of the path. One should first take the shuttle bus from near the station (see above) to El Kiosko and start the walk.

The 2023 RENFE have added three 'Proximidad' trains to the local C2 cercanias train service running from Malaga to Alora (with some intermediate stops) and extended to Las Mellizas and El Chorro. 

From Malaga: A train from Málaga María Zambrano departs at 08.24 hrs and arrives at El Chorro at 09.02 hrs.   The return leaves El Chorro; 15.12, 18.38 and 20.18 hrs  and arrives at Málaga María Zambrano at 15.52, 19.34  and 21.07 hrs respectively. The standard return ticket from Malaga costs 9.70 euro. Updated January 2023.

As an example: If you take the 08.24 hrs train from Malaga arriving at El Chorro at 09.02 hrs and then taking the 09.30 hrs shuttle bus from outside the train station to El Kiosko restaurant; arriving at 10.00 hrs, then walk  the short access route (see above) via the tunnel near 'El Mirador de Ardales' you will arrive at the El Caminito del Rey control cabin at about 10.40 hrs,  in time for a 11.00 hrs booked ticket entrance. Better to book a 11.30 entrance if it is you first time and are uncertain of these logistics.  The remaining 5km Caminito del Rey walk can be achieved by a walker in time for the 15.12 return train to Malaga from El Chorro. This also leaves the option to catch the bus to Alhora and the frequent train from there or slow down enjoy the views, have a meal and catch the 18.38 or 20.18 train back to Malaga.   Updated May 2023.  

From Seville: A train from Seville Santa Justa departs at 08.25 hrs (calling at San Bernardo, Dos Hermanas, Marchena, Osuna, Pedrera, Bobadilla 10.24) and arrives at El Chorro at  10.40 hrs. The return leaves El Chorro at 18.00 (calling at Bobadilla 18.16, Pedrera, Osuna, Marchena, Dos Hermanas, San Bernardo) and arrives at Sevilla 20.14 The return ticket from Seville costs 32,20 euro.

From Algeciras and San Roque stations on the Henderson Railway via Ronda, the first train leave Algeciras at 06.20 arrives at Bobadilla at 08.50 hrs where you change for El Chorro departing 10.24 arriving at 10.40 hrs. The return leaves El Chorro at 18.00, change at Bobadilla at 18.16 for the 20.22 train to Ronda & Algeciras arriving at 23.02

Bus to El Chorro

There is a bus service to El Chorro village from Alora train station, with four busses day it just possible to make the return journey by bus in one day. Here is a link to the bus timetable. Alora station is located at the terminal of the Malaga C2 'Cercanias' line which has regular services from Malaga city.

Guided tour Camino del Rey

Book guided tour Camino del Rey

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