Guided Hiking on the Caminito del Rey, Ardales

Stands out for

  • • Suspension walkways about 100 meters above the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes
  • • Linear route of about 8 km, with almost 3 km of walkways
  • • One of the most spectacular canyons in Andalusia, with a glass viewpoint
  • • Expert guide in the geology, flora and history of the canyon
  • • Options on your own, with a shuttle from El Chorro or with transport from Málaga and the Costa del Sol
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Description

The Caminito del Rey runs through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a narrow and deep canyon carved by the Guadalhorce River in the heart of the province of Málaga, between Ardales, Álora, and Antequera. It was once one of the most dizzying paths in Spain and is now rehabilitated with wooden walkways anchored to the rock wall at a height of about one hundred meters.

The guided route traverses the gorge on foot: nearly three kilometers of hanging walkways suspended over the void, including a glass viewpoint section, plus the access paths to complete about eight kilometers. It is a linear route—entering through the north access in Ardales and exiting via El Chorro, with a return by bus—of low difficulty, although it is not suitable for those who suffer from vertigo. A helmet is mandatory and is provided at the entrance.

Groups are small and the guide explains the canyon's geology, its flora and fauna, and the history of the El Chorro and Gaitanejo dams, witnesses to the area's hydraulic engineering. There are several options: the guided visit only (you make your own way to the north access), with a shuttle bus from El Chorro, in a small group of up to eight people, or as a day trip with transport from Málaga and the Costa del Sol, which can include a visit to Álora with lunch.

The meeting point depends on the option: the north access, the village of El Chorro or Málaga city. The minimum age is eight years old, and it is advisable to bring an ID, as access to the Caminito is controlled and follows a scheduled time slot.

Key Info

Difficulty

Easy

Setting

Outdoors

Best season

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Recommended Age Range

Ages 8+

Kid-friendly Booking required

Practical Guide

Everything you need to know about Guided Hiking on the Caminito del Rey, Ardales

This is general information about this type of experience. Specific details will be confirmed during the booking process

Location

How to get there

By car Public transport

In this area

ArdalesMunicipioMálagaProvincia
Expert Recommendations

Wear comfortable hiking shoes, light clothing, and sun protection. Best visited in spring or autumn for mild temperatures. Reachable by car via the A-357 or shuttle bus from El Chorro. Bring ID or Family Book for minors and follow safety instructions during the hike.

Physical Requirements

moderate physical activity, hiking on natural terrain with elevation changes and walkways

About the Area

The Caminito del Rey lies in the Gaitanes Gorge, a protected natural area in Ardales, Málaga, known for its deep canyon and the Guadalhorce River.

Offers

Best available offers for Guided Hiking on the Caminito del Rey, Ardales

Hiking at Caminito del Rey

Guided visit (make your own way there)

Entry ticket and guide through the gorge; you make your own way to the north access. The most affordable option.

4.7
Duration 3 h
Age 8+
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Duration: About 3 hours
Description

A guided walk of about three hours along the walkways of the Gaitanes Gorge, from the north access in Ardales to the south exit in El Chorro. The guide explains the history of the Caminito, the geology of the gorge and the local dams. You make your own way to the meeting point next to the north access. The route is linear: when you finish in El Chorro, the shuttle bus back to the north access is paid separately (€2.50). Transport from Málaga and food are not included.

Included Services
  • Guide in Spanish or English
  • Caminito del Rey entry ticket
  • Safety helmet
Not included
  • Transport to the north access
  • Return shuttle bus (€2
  • 50)
  • Food and drink
Age: 8+
Languages:
🇪🇸 Español 🇬🇧 English
Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 48 hours before. No refund after that.

Meeting point: North access of the Caminito del Rey (Ardales), next to El Kiosco restaurant. The exact point may vary depending on date and time and is confirmed when booking.
From €30
Day trip with transport from Málaga or the Costa del Sol

Return bus from Málaga, with stops on the Costa del Sol depending on the date, entry ticket and guide.

4.8
Duration 8 h
Age 8+
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Duration: 7 to 8 hours including transfers
Description

A day trip for those without a car: the bus leaves from Málaga city and, depending on the date, also picks up in Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. After a coffee stop you reach the north access and walk the Caminito with a guide, then return to the starting point. Includes transport, entry ticket and guide. The whole trip takes seven to eight hours. Food and hotel pick-up are not included.

Included Services
  • Return transport by bus or minibus
  • Guide in Spanish or English
  • Caminito del Rey entry ticket
  • Safety helmet
Not included
  • Food and drink
  • Hotel pick-up
Age: 8+
Languages:
🇪🇸 Español 🇬🇧 English
Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Meeting point: Málaga city (main departure). Depending on the date, there are also pick-ups in Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. The exact point is chosen when booking.
From €60
Private Caminito Del Rey Hiking

Private 1 hour 45 minute route through Caminito del Rey with an exclusive guide for a personalized and safe experience.

Duration 1 h 45 min
Age 8+
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Duration: 1h 45min
Description

This private modality offers an exclusive tour through the Caminito del Rey, allowing you to enjoy the path with personalized attention and a pace adapted to the group's needs. The approximate duration is 1 hour and 45 minutes, during which you will traverse the walkways and suspension bridges that offer unique views of the canyon and the Guadalhorce river. The experience is characterized by exclusivity and the possibility of interacting directly with the guide, who provides detailed information and guarantees a safe and enriching experience. Ideal for groups seeking privacy and a more individualized approach during the activity.

Included Services
  • Private guide for your group / Caminito del Rey entrance / Guided walk through the walkways
Age: 8+
Languages:
🇪🇸 Español

Other offers

Guided visit with shuttle from El Chorro

Meet in El Chorro, with parking and a train station, and the bus takes you to the north access and back at the end.

Duration 4 h
Age 8+
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Duration: About 4 hours
Description

Meet in the village of El Chorro (Álora), which has parking and a train station. From there, a shuttle bus takes the group to the north access, you walk the Caminito with a guide for about three hours and finish back in El Chorro. About four hours in total. Includes the entry ticket, the guide, the helmet and a bottle of water. Transport from Málaga and food are not included.

Included Services
  • Caminito del Rey entry ticket
  • Guide
  • Return shuttle bus
  • Safety helmet
  • Bottle of water
Not included
  • Transport to El Chorro
  • Food
Age: 8+
Languages:
🇪🇸 Español 🇬🇧 English
Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Meeting point: El Chorro (Álora), at the La Garganta rural complex. There is parking and El Chorro train station is a few minutes' walk away.
From €39
Small-group guided visit (max. 8)

The same guided route with eight people at most, with shuttle and helmet included.

Duration 3 h 30 min
Age 8+
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Duration: About 3.5 hours
Description

Guided visit to the Caminito del Rey in a group of eight people at most, to walk the walkways at a calmer pace with more attention from the guide. Meet by the Guadalhorce reservoir, near the north access; a shuttle bus takes the group between the meeting point and the Caminito. Includes the entry ticket, the guide, the shuttle and the helmet. It takes about three and a half hours. Minimum booking of two people.

Included Services
  • Caminito del Rey entry ticket
  • Spanish-speaking guide
  • Shuttle bus
  • Safety helmet
  • Group of up to 8 people
Not included
  • Transport to the meeting point
  • Food
Age: 8+
Languages:
🇪🇸 Español
Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Meeting point: Entrance of El Kiosko restaurant, by the Guadalhorce reservoir (north access, Ardales). The shuttle brings the group back to this same point.
From €44
Day trip from Málaga with a visit to Álora and lunch

Coach from Málaga, tapas lunch in Álora and guided visit to the Caminito.

Age 8+
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Duration: Day trip
Description

The most complete option from Málaga: return air-conditioned coach, a stop in the village of Álora with a tapas lunch and then the guided visit to the Caminito del Rey. Includes transport, entry ticket, guide, the visit to Álora and lunch. Hotel pick-up and tips are not included. Bring ID, water and closed shoes.

Included Services
  • Return coach transport
  • Caminito del Rey entry ticket
  • Guide
  • Visit to Álora
  • Tapas lunch
Not included
  • Hotel pick-up
  • Tips
Age: 8+
Languages:
🇬🇧 English
Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Meeting point: Málaga, Calle Héroe de Sostoa 2. Depending on the booking instructions, there are also stops at María Zambrano station and Plaza de la Marina.
From €72
Small-group day trip from Málaga with Álora (max. 10)

Minibus from Málaga, a group of up to ten people, guided Caminito and a visit to Álora with entry tickets.

Duration 7 h
Age 8+
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Duration: About 7 hours
Description

The most carefully run day trip from Málaga: a minibus with a group of up to ten people, about three hours on the Caminito del Rey with a guide and, on the way back, an hour in the village of Álora with entry to the museum, the church and the castle. Includes transport, guide, Caminito entry ticket, helmet and the Álora entry tickets. It takes about seven hours. Food and drink are not included.

Included Services
  • Minibus transport
  • Spanish-speaking guide
  • Caminito del Rey entry ticket
  • Safety helmet
  • Entry to the museum / church and castle of Álora
  • Group of up to 10 people
Not included
  • Food and drink
Age: 8+
Languages:
🇪🇸 Español
Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.

Meeting point: Málaga, Atarazanas metro station. The trip returns to the same point.
From €150

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Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers about Guided Hiking on the Caminito del Rey, Ardales

The route has an easy difficulty, suitable for beginner hikers and families.
The minimum age is 8 years old, and it is mandatory to present a DNI or Family Book to verify it.
All options include the entry ticket and the guide. The guided visit alone is the cheapest, but you make your own way to the north access and the return shuttle bus is paid separately (€2.50). Starting from El Chorro, the shuttle is included. If you have no car, the day trip from Málaga or the Costa del Sol includes transport; lunch is only included in the option with a visit to Álora.
It depends on the option: next to the north access (Ardales) if you go on your own, in the village of El Chorro (Álora) for the shuttle option, or in Málaga city, with stops on the Costa del Sol depending on the date, for the day trips with transport. There is parking at the north access and in El Chorro, and El Chorro has a train station.
The guided visit takes about three hours, with almost 3 km of walkways on a linear route of about 8 km. With the shuttle from El Chorro it is about four hours, and the day trip from Málaga or the Costa del Sol takes seven to eight hours including transfers.