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Hiking the Caminito del Rey, Malaga – Guided or Self-Guided?

ByZara Aitken

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Hiking the Caminito del Rey is one of the best things to do near Malaga and one of the most famous hikes in Spain. Only 1 hour’s drive from Malaga, this beautiful trail is a must if you’re visiting Andalucia.

But if this is your first time hiking the Caminito del Rey, you’re probably wondering if you should hike the Caminito del Rey on your own, or if it’s better (and safer) to book a guided tour?

I have walked the Caminito del Rey twice, once on a general self-guided ticket and once on a guided tour. That means I’ve seen both sides and can give you an honest comparison of both experiences.

In this guide, I’ll break down the real differences between hiking solo and going with a guide, which option is best for you, and how to choose the right experience. Whether you’re a confident hiker, a beginner, or a solo traveller visiting Málaga, this will help you decide the best way to hike the Caminito del Rey.

A dramatic valley surrounded by rugged cliffs on the Caminito del Rey hike. A river runs through the valley that is filled with trees. It's a sunny bright cloudless day.

What to Expect on the Caminito del Rey

Once known as one of the most dangerous walks in the world, it is now a safe and incredible hike since renovations were made to the route between 2009 and 2015.

The trail takes you through incredible scenery, from dramatic gorges to beautiful valleys, and sheer cliff faces. You may even see some interesting wildlife along the way, including vultures soaring overhead.

The trail is easy to follow and mostly flat. It’s almost impossible to get lost as the trail is very clearly marked and guided by railings most of the way.

While you should prepare for a good hike, the trail isn’t very long and can be comfortably done in 3-4 hours.

Zara's friend Laura stands in front of a stunning view through a mountainous valley. This is a road on the way to the Caminito del Rey with stunning views. It's a bright sunny cloudless day.

Getting to the Caminito del Rey

The Caminito del Rey is located about 1 hour north of Malaga. The easiest way to reach the Caminito del Rey is by car, but if you don’t have a car, you can take a bus or train, or even join a guided tour from Malaga. You can find more information on these options below.

The walk starts in Ardales and finishes in El Chorro. The route is linear, and there is no circular route option, so you must use the shuttle bus at some point, either to reach the start of the walk if you arrive in El Chorro or to get back to your car after completing the walk.

A white train travels on a train track through a mountainous valley on the route of the Caminito del Rey Hike. The valley is filled with greenery and a river runs through a narrow gorge.

By Bus

This route takes almost 3 hours, which I feel makes this option unfeasible unless you are staying overnight near the Caminito del Rey. You can catch a bus from the Estación de Autobuses de Málaga. Some buses will take you to El Chorro, which is the end of the Caminito del Rey walk.

You’ll then need to catch the shuttle bus from El Chorro to the Caminito del Rey North Access, which is the start of the walk. Other options include catching a bus to Álora and then getting a transfer to the start of the Caminito del Rey hike.

By Train

You can catch a train from Málaga María Zambrano train station to El Chorro. You’ll then need to catch a shuttle bus from El Chorro to the start of the walk. The train takes approximately 57 minutes to reach El Chorro, and this is probably the easiest option if you don’t have a rental car.

By Car

This is the easiest option and only takes 50 minutes from Malaga. There are three parking options, which I will explain in the next section. As I had hired a car, I chose to drive from Malaga and found it relatively easy to locate.

If you’re planning to hire a car in Malaga, I recommend using Discover Cars to compare the best prices across various car rental companies. I have used them myself many times and always found that they offer the best prices and great service.

The guide taking tourists on a guided tour of the Caminito del Rey points towards the mountains. The hikers are standing on a gravel path surrounded by trees.

By Guided Tour

There are dozens of guided tours that will pick you up in Malaga. This is a great option if you don’t have a car and don’t want to use public transport. Here are a few I recommend:

Caminito del Rey Tour with Transportation from Malaga – A reasonably-priced tour with transportation included from Malaga.

From Costa del Sol & Málaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour – From €50 per person, this includes pick-up from various locations in the Costa del Sol, meaning you don’t have to travel to Malaga.

Caminito del Rey Parking

If you are travelling to the Caminito del Rey by car, there are three parking options. You can book a parking space when you book your Caminito del Rey tickets. If you visit in peak times, such as during the summer, I would recommend booking a parking space.

  • El Chorro – located at the end of the walk, which means you would need to catch the shuttle bus to the start and then walk back towards your car. You should allow an extra hour to ensure you can get to the start of the walk before your booked time slot.
  • Restaurante Mirador – this is the closest parking to the start of the walk, so it will likely be the busiest. However, when we visited Malaga in December, there were plenty of available spaces.
  • Visitor Centre/Reception – this is the largest car park, so it likely has the best availability. This is a stop on the shuttle bus route, so if you choose to park here, you’ll need to catch the shuttle bus to the start of the walk (North Access – Restaurante Mirador).
A rugged mountain landscape covered in trees below a bright blue cloudless sky. The view can be seen when hiking the Caminito del Rey, a stunning trail hike in Malaga, Spain.

Caminito del Rey Shuttle Bus

The shuttle bus runs between El Chorro and the North Access/El Kiosko and takes around 20 minutes. The shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes throughout the day, with the start and end times differing throughout the seasons.

When I visited in December, we were told the last bus left El Chorro at 6 pm. And I saw signs saying that the bus runs until 8 pm in the summer. However, I have seen reports on other blog posts saying the shuttle bus ends at 6 pm in the summer, and on the official Caminito del Rey website, it says 7 pm. So it’s best to ask when you arrive when the last shuttle bus will leave, to be sure!

The shuttle bus costs €2.50 per person, and you can use the bus as many times as you need to in a day. You can pay for tickets at the kiosk in El Chorro, onboard (cash only), or you can pre-order shuttle bus tickets online when you book your tickets for the Caminito del Rey.

A female hiker walks through a deep gorge, along a wooden slatted boardwalk while holding onto the railings. The pathway can be found on the Caminito del Rey hiking trail in Malaga, Spain.

How Long is the Caminito del Rey Walk?

While the actual Caminito del Rey hike is only 3.3km, the entire walk encompasses 7.7km due to the distance at the start and end of the route from the car park and to the shuttle bus.

You should allow approximately 3-4 hours, which will give you plenty of time to stop, take pictures, and enjoy the scenery.

Zara's friend, Laura, stands in front of a stunning view before a beautiful rugged mountain valley landscape. She is wearing a bright blue plastic helmet and a blue t-shirt and is standing at a fence on the Caminito del Rey hike in Malaga. The view in front of her features a river running through a mountain valley lined with trees.

Is the Caminito del Rey Dangerous?

Once known as one of the most dangerous walks in the world, the Caminito del Rey is now safe to walk. However, there are some precautions you must take to ensure you stay safe!

While the pathways are fenced off, you must take care when walking on uneven ground, wear comfortable flat walking shoes (no heels or sandals), and take plenty of water and snacks – especially in the summer when temperatures are high!

Of course, as in any natural setting, if you don’t take the necessary precautions or follow the guidelines, accidents can happen.

Remnants of the old path on the Caminito del Rey, once known as one of the most dangerous walks in the world. The path is fixed to the side of a cliff above trees.

Guided or Self-Guided?

I have walked the Caminito del Rey twice. The first time was on a self-guided walk, and the second was on a guided walk. But which one should you choose?

I enjoyed the self-guided walk more, as I was able to take more time to enjoy the views and walk at my own pace, without feeling rushed.

The guided walk was interesting, but for almost double the price, I didn’t feel it was worth the money. The guided walk felt quite rushed, and unfortunately, it seemed the guide lacked real enthusiasm for the walk – it seemed like she was eager to get to the end so she could finish work.

The self-guided general ticket is €10, and the guided walk is €18. The second time I visited, we tried to book general self-guided tickets, but they were sold out up to a month ahead, so the guided walk was the only option.

As this walk becomes more famous due to Instagram and TikTok, it is becoming harder to get general tickets. I visited in December, which is not the peak period, but it was still sold out for a month ahead, so I recommend booking tickets at least a month in advance.

Hikers walk along a wooden slatted path fixed high up on the side of the cliff. The hikers are walking a section of the Caminito del Rey in Spain.

Choose the self-guided option if:

  • You want to go at your own pace
  • You’re a confident and experienced hiker
  • You aren’t too interested in hearing about the history of the walk and just want to take in the scenery at your own pace
  • You don’t want to be with a large tour group

Choose a guided tour if:

  • You are happy to move at a fast pace, with short photo stops
  • You aren’t confident or experienced with hiking, and feel nervous about hiking alone
  • You want to learn about the history, landscape and wildlife in the area
  • You don’t mind being with a large tour group
  • You’re booking late and all self-guided tickets are fully booked
Zara's friend, Laura, sits in front of a beautiful lake on the Caminito del Rey. The lake can be found in El Chorro at the end of the hiking trail. The lake is pale green and is surrounded by stunning cliffs covered in lush trees.

Hiking the Caminito del Rey Route Summary

The Caminito del Rey walk begins at the Access Tunnel (Túnel de Acceso a Caminito del Rey). You’ll walk for several minutes through a dark tunnel, which adds to the anticipation of the hike! The tunnel is lit with small lights, so it’s not too dark.

At the other end of the tunnel, you’ll emerge into a beautiful valley, framed by jaw-dropping cliffs. The path follows the curvature of the cliffs and is signmarked along the route. From the entrance of the tunnel, it’s approximately 1.5km to the ticket office and the official start of the Caminito del Rey hike.

Zara's friend, Laura, standing on a wooden boardwalk fixed to the side of a cliff in a deep gorge. It's a sunny day and the sun is shining through the valley. Laura is wearing black leggings, a blue t-shirt and a blue helmet.
People walk along a wooden boardwalk fixed to the side of a cliff. The path runs through a deep gorge, alongside a river. It's a clear cloudless day and the sun is shining on the clifftops.

From here, you’ll need to collect your helmets and show your tickets. It’s recommended that you arrive 30 minutes before your allotted time slot. I arrived 20 minutes before my guided tour, which was plenty of time to use the toilet and have a snack before we departed.

We collected our helmets and were given small radios so we could hear the guide even if we were at the back of the group, which I thought was a nice touch.

Once through the gates, the walk gets really exciting. You’ll pass an old hydroelectric substation and a dam, and after that, straight onto the wooden walkways fixed to the side of the cliff.

Hikers walk along a wooden pathway that snakes through a deep gorge, alongside a river. It's a bright, clear sunny day and there is a beautiful landscape valley view in the distance on the Caminito del Rey hiking trail.

I’m not afraid of heights, but I have walked the Caminito del Rey with a friend who is, and she found it nerve-wracking at some points, as you can look right through the wooden slats down to the valley floor below. The pathway feels very robust, and there is a chest-high wire fence that keeps you safe – I didn’t once feel like I was in any danger.

The wooden walkway takes you through a deep canyon before reaching a windy path and emerging into a stunning valley. From here, the scenery is breathtaking. You’ll leave the wooden walkway behind and walk for a short while on a flat stone path through a beautiful valley.

Look out for remnants of the old path as you go, as well as the old bridge! When you see the remnants of the old path, it really helps you to understand why it was once one of the most dangerous walks in the world.

A stunning mountainous landscape with sheer granite cliffs and a valley floor covered in green trees. It's a bright sunny cloudless day. This view can be found when hiking the Caminito del Rey.

The scenery in this valley is out of this world, among some of the most beautiful landscapes I have seen.

Unfortunately, on my second visit, the guided tour was fairly rushed, and we didn’t have much opportunity to stop and take photos or enjoy the views. But if you’re visiting the Caminito del Rey on a self-guided walk, you can take it at your own pace, which I was able to do on my first visit.

While in the valley, we stopped for a short time so our guide could tell us about some of the local wildlife and plants. Keep your eyes peeled for vultures and goats.

Zara Aitken, a white female with medium-length brown hair stands at a metal fence looking through a deep gorge framed by tall cliffs. She is wearing a bright blue plastic crash helmet and hiking clothes on a bright, sunny day.

Our guide told us that, as hunting is banned in the Parque, they have to feed the vultures regularly, as there is very little carrion for the vultures to eat. It was amazing to see the vultures soaring so high up – you really get a sense of their size. Our guide told us their wingspan can reach up to 3 metres!

The next part of hiking the Caminito del Rey is through the Gaitanes Gorge, once again following a wooden walkway fixed high up on the cliffside. In bad weather and high winds, our guide told us there is a tunnel that takes you through the cliff, but as we visited on a calm, sunny December day, we were able to follow the walkway through the Gaitanes Gorge.

A gorgeous landscape view of mountains and tall cliffs on a bright, sunny day. The view can be found while hiking the Gaitanes Gorge on the Caminito del Rey. There is a walkway fixed to the side of the cliff, high up above the valley floor.

This was my favourite section of the path as you get to look through the valley on both sides and see just how small the pathway looks so high up on the cliffside.

In this section, keep your eyes peeled for a large Ammonite fossil on the cliffside on your right-hand side!

Now for the most exciting (or nerve-wracking if you’re afraid of heights) part of the Caminito del Rey hike – the hanging bridge! The metal bridge connects the two sides of the cliff and only takes a few seconds to walk over. The bridge bounces as you walk, so I can imagine that for those with a fear of heights, this would be quite scary, although it is very safe!

Seven hikers cross a metal footbridge that connects two sides of the Caminito del Rey hiking trail. The bridge is high up above a valley in Spain. The hikers are wearing casual clothes and plastic helmets.

After the bridge, you’ll follow the walkway around to the left and finally finish on solid ground above the train tracks. You’ll head down the hillside on a wide chalky path, past a Chapel-School called ‘Ermita de la Medalla de la Milagrosa’, towards El Chorro.

At the end of the walk, you’ll need to hand in your helmets and radios, and you can then grab a beer and a bite to eat from one of the food vendors!

Do You Need To Be Fit To Hike the Caminito Del Rey?

The Caminito del Rey is a comfortable and achievable walk for all hiking abilities. I personally don’t think you need to be very fit to hike the Caminito del Rey, as the trail is flat and fairly short. However, there are portions of the trail with some steps, so you must be mobile enough to handle this.

While the Caminito del Rey is a great hike for beginners, I recommend you wear the correct clothing and ensure you have enough supplies with you. This is just good practice when hiking any distance, even a fairly short one.

Amenities

There are toilets at the start of the hike before you reach the ticket office and vending machines for light snacks and bottled water.

There are no toilets, shops or cafes along the route until you reach the end in El Chorro.

A beautiful view of a sheer cliff face towering over a river and a hillside covered in luscious green trees. It's a bright sunny day and you can see people walking along a walkway fixed to the side of the cliff.

At the very end of the trail, you’ll find a few wooden huts selling food. I had a beer and an empanada, and we tried the churros. The empanada was fine, but the churros were not cooked fresh – they are just heated up in a microwave – and they cost €9!! So, I would recommend avoiding the overpriced food in the food huts at the end of the trail.

Further into El Chorro village, you’ll find a couple of restaurants and cafes very close to the shuttle bus stop.

There is also a restaurant, called Restaurante Mirador, at the start of the hike, right next to the car park. Restaurante Mirador has an amazing view from its outdoor terrace, which is a great way to start or end your Caminito del Rey hike.

A straight concrete road lined with food vendors in small wooden huts and a picnic area with plastic tables. This can be found in El Chorro at the end of the Caminito del Rey hiking trail.
Avoid the overpriced, poor-quality food in these huts!

Safety Tips

As with any hiking trip, it’s very important to carry at least 1.5 litres of water with you, especially in hot summer months. Although this isn’t a particularly strenuous hike, you should take plenty of water and snacks with you.

Wear comfortable trainers or hiking boots. Sandals and heeled shoes are not permitted on the trail. Don’t forget sunscreen!

It is also not permitted to carry hiking poles – I believe this is due to the gaps between wooden slats on the boardwalk. Wearing the very unflattering helmet is unfortunately mandatory.

The Caminito del Rey hiking trail is not suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs. Children under the age of 8 cannot hike the trail.

The view from Restaurante Mirador over a beautiful reservoir at the start of the Caminito del Rey. It's a bright, sunny, cloudless day and the lake is surrounded by trees.

Caminito del Rey Accommodation

El Nido del Chorro – budget guesthouse in El Chorro, very close to the end of the Caminito del Rey. It’s located in a beautiful area and would be a great base for exploring more of the park. They provide free bikes to explore the area and have a seasonal outdoor pool.

La Tienda de Miguel – Cute apartments in El Chorro with air conditioning and free WiFi. The property also has a terrace, and mountain and lake views.

Apartamentos Parque Ardales – Close to the start of the Caminito del Rey in Ardales, these apartments are low-cost and in a great location, close to the lake. They feature a pool, a private beach area and free parking and WiFi.

Refugio de El Chorro – Air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, lake view and a balcony, with free parking and free WiFi. This is a holiday home for up to 6 people.

Pinterest image divided into two sections: the top features a woman wearing a blue helmet, gazing at a scenic mountainous landscape with lush greenery and a river. The bottom section shows a wooden boardwalk attached to a steep cliffside with a person walking along it, also wearing a helmet. Bold text in the center reads "Ultimate Hiking Guide CAMINITO DEL REY Malaga, Spain," with a website link "passport-for-living.com" at the bottom.
A scenic image of the Caminito del Rey trail in Spain, featuring a rocky landscape, lush green forest, and a turquoise river winding through the valley. Overlaid text reads, "How to Visit Spain's Caminito del Rey – Full Hiking Guide," with a website link "passport-for-living.com" at the bottom.
A collage of four images showcasing Spain's Caminito del Rey hiking trail. The photos include dramatic cliffside pathways, scenic views of mountains and rivers, and hikers wearing helmets walking along narrow boardwalks attached to steep rock faces. Bold text in the center reads "Hiking Guide to Spain's Caminito del Rey," with a website link "passport-for-living.com" at the bottom.

Are you planning to hike the Caminito del Rey? If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch with me via the contact form!

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Zara Aitken is a UK-based travel blogger and the founder of Passport for Living. While sharing her travel stories, hiking guides and travel inspiration online since 2015, she has travelled to over 25 countries and is still counting. She's on a mission to help others travel solo on a budget, promoting adventure travel and authentic cultural experiences along the way.