Best for
Adventure seekers, hikers, photographers, nature lovers
Time needed
4–6 hours including travel
Worth it?
Absolutely — a genuinely world-class experience and one of the highlights of any trip to Málaga province
Skip if
Skip if you have a serious fear of heights — the exposure is real
About Caminito del Rey
The Caminito del Rey is, without exaggeration, one of the most extraordinary walkways in the world. A 7.7-kilometre path — of which 2.9 kilometres is boardwalk pinned directly onto vertical limestone cliff faces up to 100 metres above the Gaitanes Gorge — it offers views and an experience unlike anything else in Europe.
The original path was built between 1901 and 1905 to provide access for workers maintaining a hydroelectric power channel between two reservoirs in the El Chorro gorge, about 60 kilometres northwest of Málaga. King Alfonso XIII walked the path in 1921 to inaugurate the Conde del Guadalhorce dam, and it has been known as the Caminito del Rey (the King's Little Path) ever since.
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Over the decades, the original concrete path deteriorated dangerously — sections collapsed, railings disappeared, and it became a magnet for thrill-seekers who traversed it illegally, sometimes fatally. After several deaths, the path was closed in 2000 and a complete reconstruction begun. The new path opened in 2015: a modern boardwalk with glass-bottomed sections, steel railings, and safety cables, built alongside the remains of the original path.
The walk is linear — you enter at the north end and exit at the south (or vice versa) — and takes approximately 3–4 hours including the access trails. The narrowest section of the gorge, where the walls close to just 10 metres apart with the river 100 metres below, is genuinely breathtaking. A glass-bottomed walkway section adds an extra thrill.
The path is not physically demanding — the boardwalk itself is flat and well-maintained — but it is not suitable for anyone with a serious fear of heights. Helmets are provided and mandatory.
What to See: Highlights
- 1One of the most spectacular walkways in the world
- 2Boardwalk pinned to cliff faces 100m above the gorge
- 3Glass-bottomed sections over the Gaitanes Gorge
- 4Fascinating industrial heritage — built 1901–1905
- 5Once the world's most dangerous path — now safely rebuilt
- 67.7km walk through extraordinary limestone scenery
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Insider Tips
BOOK WELL IN ADVANCE — tickets sell out weeks ahead in season
Tickets available online only — no tickets sold at the entrance
Minimum age is 8 years — children must be accompanied
Wear sturdy shoes — trainers at minimum, hiking shoes ideal
The walk is one-way — shuttle buses connect the two entrances
Bring water and sun protection — no shade on the exposed sections
Allow a full half-day including travel from Málaga
Book a Guided Tour
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Where to stay
Hotels in Málaga
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Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Caminito del Rey worth visiting?+−
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Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You enjoy dramatic natural landscapes and outdoor adventure
- You want a day trip that will be the highlight of your holiday
- You're comfortable with heights and exposed walkways
- You're visiting with children aged 8+ who enjoy the outdoors
Skip if...
- You have a serious fear of heights — the 100m drops are real and constant
- You have young children under 8 — they are not permitted
- You can't book in advance — walk-up tickets don't exist
