Whispers of the sea – a walk along the Senda Litoral coastal path
Andalusia is known the world over for its exceptional walking and scenic routes, among which the Caminito del Rey stands out on its pedestal.…
A footbridge stretches along the cliffs by the River Guadalhorce, at a height of 100 metres – the Caminito del Rey trail. It is one of the biggest attractions in the area, and you’ll need to book tickets well in advance. If you love stunning scenery and aren’t afraid of heights, this will be the perfect day out.
What will you read about in this note?
How was the Caminito del Rey trail created?
The history of the Caminito del Rey (King’s Path) dates back to the early 20th century, when a hydroelectric dam was being built there. The trail was constructed to facilitate the transport of construction materials between the inlet and outlet of the gorge and to allow hydroelectric plant workers to travel between the town of El Chorro and their workplace.
Construction of the footbridges took four years. Interestingly, it was possible to walk along the trail both day and night, as lighting was provided. The trail runs along the steep, limestone walls of the gorge within the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Park, through which the Guadalhorce River flows.
The trail owes its name to the opening of the dam in 1921, an event attended by King Alfonso XIII himself. Until 2014, the trail was considered one of the most difficult in Spain, which is why it remained closed from the beginning of the 21st century until the completion of renovation work in 2015. The footbridge, which had fallen into disrepair over the years, attracted daredevils and adventure seekers, but it was extremely dangerous until its reopening.
Caminito del Rey – what should you know about it?
The hike begins near the Conde de Guadalhorce Dam. The trail is one-way and runs from north to south, from the town of Ardales to Álora. The route is 7.7 km long and is divided into four sections. It takes about 3–4 hours to complete the entire hike.
The information center is located near the El Kiosko restaurant and the bus stop. There is also a campground and several parking lots in the area. Keep in mind that you cannot drive all the way to the entrance of the gorge. It’s worth walking to the Luis Morales viewpoint, from which you can admire the Conde de Guadalhorce reservoir.
The official entrance with a checkpoint is located at the Gaitanejo Dam, which is accessible via two hiking trails from the parking lot. The longer trail, once taken by Alfonso XIII, is about 2.7 km long and begins at the “Sillón del Rey”- a set of stone benches, a table, and an armchair – and then runs through a tunnel adjacent to the restaurant. The second trail is only 1.5 km long and begins at a smaller pedestrian tunnel.
Sections of the Caminito del Rey route
To visit the Caminito del Rey, you must purchase tickets three weeks in advance (preferably before the high season), as tickets are limited and in high demand.
Tickets are available on the official website. At the entrance, each visitor receives a safety helmet and is then assigned to a guided group; if they purchased an individual ticket, they receive a briefing and begin the tour on their own.
The first part of the trail is the narrow El Desfiladero de Gaitanejo gorge (only 10 meters wide). The second part is El Tajo de las Palomas, where you cross the Royal Bridge.
The third part of the trail is called Valle del Hoyo. It is a fertile river valley, full of lush vegetation. Many animal species also live here, and there is even a bat reserve. The final part of the Caminito del Rey is Avenida Caminito del Rey, along which you can see a hydroelectric power plant, an old train station, a viaduct, and railway tunnels.
How to plan your return from Caminito del Rey?
Since the trail is one-way, the route ends in the town of Álora, right next to the El Chorro cable car station. The starting point is about an hour’s walk away, but a shuttle bus runs along the route, connecting the beginning and end of the trail.
The bus runs from 7:40 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and the fare is 2.50 euros per person. You can buy a ticket from the bus driver upon boarding, but the driver does not accept card payments, so be sure to have the exact amount in cash ready in advance. The trip takes about 15–20 minutes.
New suspension bridge on the Caminito del Rey trail now open
Eleven years after the opening of the modernized trail, a new bridge was opened to the public on June 10. The bridge is 110 meters long and was installed just before the section located above the iron railway bridge and the El Chorro tunnel. This is the final section of the trail, designed to serve as an alternative and a shortcut to the last, nearly one-kilometer-long, steep descent.
The president of the Málaga Provincial Council, Francisco Salado, emphasizes that the footbridge is installed at a maximum height of 50 meters and is 1.2 meters wide. It is made of metal, and the entire structure weighs approximately 38 metric tons.
Since the trail opened to tourists, it has become a symbol of the province and an economic and tourism asset for the region, contributing to its economic boom. Therefore – in accordance with the concession agreement – the cost of the entire project was covered by the trail’s own revenue and amounted to 1.5 million euros.
Caminito del Rey drives tourism in Spain
The gorge is visited by nearly 330,000 people each year, and since its reopening in 2015, more than 3 million tourists have passed through it. It has had a significant impact on the economies of the surrounding municipalities, creating hundreds of jobs, and to this day is considered one of the symbols of the province of Málaga.
Caminito del Rey has revitalized the economies of the municipalities within its area: Álora, Antequera, Ardales, Campillos, Carratraca, and Valle de Abdalajís. Since the trail’s reopening in 2015, 685 additional jobs have been created. As a result, it has contributed to the development of tourism and hospitality infrastructure. The number of available lodging beds has increased from 210 in 2015 to 893 in 2024.
According to a study conducted by Costa del Sol Tourism and Planning, one in four tourists visiting the province of Málaga stays in the vicinity of Caminito del Rey, and Málaga residents account for only 14% of all people living in the gorge region. The survey results indicate that the average daily spending per tourist in this region is approximately 91 euros, and the average length of stay is 3 days.
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FAQ
What attractions does the Caminito del Rey Gorge offer?
The most spectacular section of the trail runs along the high limestone cliffs of the gorge, whose rock walls reach heights of up to 100 meters above sea level in some places. The main attraction is the Puente Colgante del Caminito del Rey bridge, which hangs over the abyss, and the final section of the trail, which ends with a spectacular new 110-meter-long suspension bridge.
How much do admission tickets to the Caminito del Rey cost, and what does the package include?
An adult admission ticket costs 10 euros for a self-guided tour and 18 euros if you choose to explore the gorge with a guide. In addition to the general admission ticket, you can purchase a tour that includes a tasting at the Gaitanejo Brewery for 29 euros per person.
