How to Visit the Caminito del Rey from Malaga (2026 Guide)

The Caminito del Rey is the best adventure within easy reach of Malaga. This guide covers tickets, transport and what the walk is really like in 2026.

Once known as the most dangerous walkway in the world, the Caminito del Rey has been reborn as one of the most spectacular walks in Spain. Pinned to the walls of the deep El Chorro gorge north of Malaga, it delivers a hundred metre drop below the boardwalk and views that stay with you. Here is how to do it right in 2026.

What the Caminito del Rey is

The Caminito is a one way walking route of around three kilometres, most of it on a narrow boardwalk bolted to sheer cliffs above the river. The original early twentieth century path crumbled into legend, and the modern walkway built on top of it opened in 2015. You wear a helmet, follow a fixed direction and finish at a different point from where you start.

Booking your tickets

This is the part people get wrong. Tickets are timed and strictly limited, and in spring and summer they sell out weeks ahead. You have two routes. Book an individual entry ticket online as early as you can, or join a guided day trip that bundles the entry with transport. If your dates are fixed, do not leave it to the last minute.

Getting there from Malaga

The gorge sits about an hour north of the city near the village of El Chorro. Drivers can reach the entrance and use the shuttle bus that links the finish back to the start. A train runs to nearby stations on some schedules, but timings are awkward for a day visit. The simplest option by far is a guided day trip that picks you up, handles the entry and brings you back.

What the walk is like

Allow two to three hours from start to finish. The path is mostly flat and not physically hard, but the exposure is real, with long stretches where only the boardwalk separates you from the drop. There is a glass floor section and a hanging bridge near the end that test the nerves. The reward is constant, with the gorge narrowing and widening around every corner.

What to bring and wear

Wear closed walking shoes with grip, bring water and sun protection, and pack light since large bags are not allowed on the walkway. The path has little shade, so a hat matters in summer. Helmets are provided at the entrance and must be worn throughout.

Who should and should not go

The walk suits most fit adults and older children, but it is not for anyone with a serious fear of heights or limited mobility, and there is a minimum age. If the exposure worries you, the early sections ease you in gently before the most dramatic stretches arrive.

Combining it with more

Many day trips pair the Caminito with a stop in a nearby village or the lake at El Chorro, making a full and varied day. If you are weighing it against other outings, see our take on whether the Caminito del Rey is worth it and our wider list of things to do in Malaga.

Book ahead, wear the right shoes and pick a clear day, and the Caminito del Rey rewards you with one of the most memorable few hours on the whole Costa del Sol.