El Chorro
In order to visit the Caminito del Rey you need to get to the area of the small village of El Chorro and Guadalhorce reservoirs located in Málaga province, Andalusia, Spain. Getting to El Chorro, reservoirs and Camino del Rey is pretty easy.
El Chorro is a few miles away from the larger town of Alora. REMEMBER THAT THE START POINT FOR THE CAMINITO DEL REY IS NOT IN EL CHORRO… EL CHORRO IS THE FINISHING POINT.
Check out types of travel to the Caminito del Rey and reserve your bus, train or taxi with GoEuro…
GPS coordinates
Coordinates are 36°54’0″ N and 4°43’60” W in DMS (Degrees Minutes Seconds) or 36.9 and -4.73333 (in decimal degrees). Its UTM position is UF48 and its Joint Operation Graphics reference is NJ30-10.
How to get to the Caminito del Rey By Car
From Malaga take the A-357 towards and past Cartama and around 47 km (from Malaga) take the exit towards M-442/Ardales/MA-5403/El Chorro. (About an hour)
You can park at El Chorro and get a shuttle bus (every 30 minutes) to the start point which is the other side of the gorge by the kings chair/posada del Conde/Mirador and Kiosko restaurants… Or you can park by the restaurants, walk the caminito and get a shuttle bus back to your car…
The Map below explains the route towards El Chorro to take by car from Cádiz or Seville.
Parking at the Caminito del Rey
At the visitor centre:
https://maps.google.com/?q=36.91456538493755,-4.8071835875446105
You can also park your car at P1 North. at the starting point of the Caminito del Rey at 2 euros/day. (Shuttle bus required to get back to the start point.
https://maps.google.com/?q=36.928814,-4.801529
Or, at P2 South at the El Chorro side of the Caminito del rey (shuttle bus required to get to the start point) Free.
https://maps.google.com/?q=36.905602,-4.759938
How to get to the Caminito del Rey By Train
REMEMBER: Your destination (travelling to…) is the train station “El Chorro, Spain”
You can easily book a train ticket online from OMIO… and just fill in your departure station and make sure El Chorro is in the destination. Follow the instructions and print your e.tickets straight away.
On arrival at El Chorro train station you will need to get a shuttle bus (2,50 Euros per person) to the Caminito del Rey start point.
Click here to easily book a train ticket online from OMIO
How to get to the Caminito del Rey By Bus
Time tables keep changing it seems all the time and it’s impossible to get an updated timetable for buses to El Chorro. Also, the buses from Malaga, for example, go to the town of Alora, and then you have to wait and change for a bus to El Chorro. With that in mind and as the village of El Chorro sits on a railway station I am going to recommend the train and forget the bus. (see above for trains to El Chorro)
Guided Tours to the Caminito del Rey
Ronda Today
Everything you need to know before you visit Ronda “The city of dreams” in Andalucia. https://www.rondatoday.com/
Visit Cádiz
Planning on visiting Cádiz? Tourist information. Monuments. Hotels. Activities. City guides: https://visitingcadiz.com/
The Caminito del Rey
Find tickets for the Caminito del Rey: https://caminodelrey.es/
Wildside Holidays – Spain
Take a trip on the Wildside! Discover the wildlife and nature of Spain, its Natural and National Parks and find the top wildlife, activity and walking holiday companies.
Iberia Nature Forum
Struggling with identifying those bugs and beasties? Why not check out the Iberia nature Forum! https://iberianatureforum.com/
I’ve been living in this lovely area of Western Andalucia for the last 20 years or so and dedicate most of my time to the running of English language tourist information websites for the towns of Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema, the famous or infamous Caminito del Rey, and also Wildside Holidays, which promotes sustainable and eco-friendly businesses running wildlife and walking holidays in Spain. My articles contain affiliate links that will help you reserve a hotel, bus, train or activity in the area. You don’t pay more, but by using them you do support this website. Thankyou!
We are coming from Granada by train and leaving for Seville. Is there luggage storage any where nearby? I had a try confirming this anywhere. Thanks
Hi Clive, thank you for all your work over the years in informing people of how to get enjoyment from the caminito del rey. I have put myself together simplified time flow through the day comparing travelling from Malaga by car or train, the latter which is preferred. From this I have a couple of questions please:
For my visit (15th March), RENFE is showing a train from Malaga at 8.58hrs which arrives El Chorro at 09.37hrs. That suggests we should take the shuttle bus at 10.00hrs, a journey of 15 minutes, arriving to the check point for 10.35hrs, and allowing the 30 minutes for “arrive early”, that means a guided walk starting at 11.20hrs, or unguided starting at 11.40hrs. My conclusion from this is that neither will allow us a relaxed walk . Would you agree with this? Also, can we be pretty assured of catching the bus?
One more small, but important question please. Where are the toilets located at the north end? Are there any near the Control Point, or should we go before when we leave the shuttle bus?
Thanks again, and very useful. Jeff Temple
Hi Jeffrey, I think your timing is a bit tight in order to catch the 13.51 train after you have walked the Caminito del Rey. Gives you about 2.5 hours to walk the route. I like to do it in 3 to 4 to take my time, some people take 5 (but thats pretty slow). Maybe you could find a different transport either before or after your walk to extend your time on the walkway?
The toilets are located at the checkpoint just before you enter the walkway…
Currently, the earliest Málaga-El Chorro train is scheduled to arrive at 09:37. What is the earliest “guided visit” time slot that we should schedule, if these train times remain the same?
Does 10:20 allow enough time to arrive at the North Access location and in time to join that group?
Hi. The official site says that the bus services from El Chorro to the Caminito del Rey start point start at 8:30 am and run every 30 minutes (Los horarios del autobús lanzadera: el servicio comenzará a las 08:30 h desde la zona sur y permanecerá operando con una frecuencia de 30 minutos hasta las 16:30 h.)
So in theory you will get the 10 am bus which takes 15 or so minutes to get to the start point. You need to then walk the 20 minutes or so to the start point AND be there 30 minutes before your entry time…. 10:20 is not realistic for your start time and I would go for an 11:30 or 12 pm
Hi ticket booked for 1pm slot in November on Saturday; plan to take the train from Malaga. Current Renfe website is showing 9am out and 9pm return. I’m thinking that’s a long wait after the hike to go home. Do you think the train time will be updated nearer to Nov for winter season ? If not can you suggest what to do in the area after the hike ?
Yes, I believe the train to Malaga from El Chorro is at 21:07. I doubt if the timetables will change. Maybe get a bus back to Malaga? There is a 17:30 to Alora that connects to Malaga. http://www.ctmam.es/lineas/M-340
Hi Clive,
Unfortunately i got the Saturday ticket. According to the website you sent, the last bus back to Alora is 1.45pm which would be too early for me, as my entrance slot is 1pm.
Oh thats a shame…. On the right hand side here on my website there is a search box for OMIO Maybe there is a Blah Blah car in the late afternoon…
Hi Clive, very useful info here, congratulations!
Do you know how can I purchase tickets for Alora to El Chorro bus? Can I pay on board or should I purchase in advance?
Thanks,
Alex
Thanks for the kind comments Alex. You should be able to pay on the bus without and issue but if you are close to a bus station the day before it doesn’t hurt to get your ticket in advance.
How much does it cost to take a bus to El Chorro Village from Sevilla City?
Hi
The best way to get from Seville to El Chorro is train which takes around 3.5 hours and costs 27€ – 40€. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 20€ – 29€ and but takes from 4 to hours depending on the route.
To be honest its a bit undo-able as a day trip…(Unless you are staying the night in El Chorro.)
Hello!
We are going by car and plan on parking in El Chorro and take the shuttle bus to the north entrance, that seems convenient after the walk.
1. Do you have to book bus tickets in advance or can you just show up on the day and pay cash? We don’t wanna be stranded in either end because we aren’t allowed to get on the bus.
2. Somewhere I think I read that shuttle buses start at like 12:00 or somehting. Does that mean you cannot take the shuttle from El Chorro to the entrance if you have a ticket for the walk valid in the morning?
Thanks
Benny
Hi Benny, the first bus leaves at 9am from El Chorro (according to the official website http://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/5235/documents). You don’t have to book the bus in advance and the buses are every 30 minutes for most of the day…
Hi Clive, My family and I want to do the 9:45am guided walk in late August. We will be staying close to the El Chorro train station. If we take the 9:00 shuttle bus to the kiosko area, will we have enough time to catch the 9:45 walk? Thank you for your help. Hok Pan
Hi…. I think that is a bit close, timing wise. Maybe you could get your hotel to order you a taxi for 8:30 am. From where the bus drops you off it os a 15/20 minute walk to the checkin point to start the walk…
Hi Clive! I love your replies and have found them very helpful, especially with regards to car parking.
I have booked tickets for my husband and I from Australia via the web site and both tickets have identical booking numbers and I am wondering whether it is because it is under my name and passport number. I did not see any accommodation for my husband’s details and passport number and wonder if this will be a problem on the day. We are walking the trail on 29 May 2019.
Cheers and thank you,
Margaret
Hi Margaret, thankyou for your kind comments and I am glad my site has helped! yes you are correct, it’s essentially the same entry number because of 1 set of identification info when you make the reservation online for the Caminito del Rey. Have a great day and let me knoe how you get on.
Hi Clive,
I will be coming with family who are doing the walk.
We will get the train to El Chorro, and shuttle bus to El Kiosko restaurant.
I will not be doing the walk due to vertigo along with parter and wondered if I stay at the lakes by La Isla I will be able to get shuttle bus back to El Chorro?
Thank you
Yes, you can get the shuttle bus back to el chorro from the kiosko area… They leave evry thirty minutes or so…
Hello Clive,
Thanks for your brief information about Caminito Del Rey.
With my family we are going to visit Caminito Del Rey in June. But my wife and my little son have to wait for us at the entrance. Which side is better for wait for at least 3 hours, north side or south side?
Thanks
Hi Cem
You start at the lake side/kings chair/bar Mirador so the best place for your family to wait is at the El Chorro side where the walkn finishes
Hello, Clive-
I am so grateful to have found you. I have one opportunity to hike and that is Sunday (4/15) at 10 AM. What are the chances that I can take a taxi or car service from Malaga to the starting point at 8am?
Hi Clive.
Just wanted to ask if the parking lot at the north entrance is safe or supervised? We are travelling from Ronda, doing the hike and then carrying on to Nerja for the night. We will have our luggage in our vehicle while we do the hike. Just wanted to ask your opinion on the safety of it. Thanks so much!
Obviously there is always some risk involved in leaving things in a parked car but that said I haven’t heard of any thefts since the Caminito del Rey opened to the public… The free parking area around the kisosko reestaurant and Mirador restaurant area I would avoid if your are concerened and use the pay car park on the lakeside by the Mirador restaurant.. Don’t leave anything on view… I think there is a sign up that the people who run the car park are not responsible for things left in the car… (The usual get out clause in most carparks)
Have a great day out,
Thanks so much Clive!
Hi Clive,
Do you know if from Alora train station I have to go into town to take M 340 bus to El Chorro or is there a bus staion near the
trainstation?
Thanks!
There is a bus service to El Chorro from Alora train station, There are 4 buses each day. Alora station is located at the terminal of the Malaga C2 ‘Cercanias’ line which has regular services from Malaga city.
Bus times here..
http://www.ctmam.es/lineas/M-340
Hello again Clive.
Some post visit thoughts on Caminito Del Rey.
What an excellent day out, A refreshing change from big city Malaga, especially as we did Seville, Cordoba, plus a days cycling in the same week.
We had a 12:45 slot off the 10:47 train. Just made it ,30 minutes to spare at the hard hat issuing point. This using the small / long tunnel 5 minutes back down the road from the main restaurant bar.
1. Buses do stop in station car park. There is now a green bus stop for this. Though our train was over 10 minutes late, the 11 am. bus did wait.
2.Our bus did say destination Caminito Del Rey on the front but others didn’t. Plus it was full to bursting when it did set off !
3. The small tunnel is on the r.h.s. of the road and is easy to miss when passing on the bus, perhaps look on street view before going.
4. It is now signposted at the entrance. The lights were not working so was pitch black inside. Smartphone torch possibly useful. The floor is made of sand so no problems walking in the dark.
5. at hard hat control point lady in charge was asking if anyone needed to buy tickets. This in October NOT peak season. Also she let us through 15 minutes early. All staff friendly plus English OK.
6. Enjoyed a leisurely stroll through beautiful countryside with amazing views around every Corner an unforgettable experience.
7. If on the 6:05 train back, don’t rush.
8. Plenty of time for a walk up the road from the station, great views of the bottom reservoir, rock climbers and towards the coast.
9. Return to Malaga with batteries fully recharged plus 1000 photographs.
Again thanks for your help, Very much appreciated on the day.
Diane and Andy.
Fantastic feedback and useful info Diane and Andy, Thankyou……
Hi Clive,
I can see you have helped many with your answers, so I hope my questions will not bother you 🙂
We are in Malaga for New Year’s holidays and planning to book tickets for Caminito for 30/12.
So..
1. Usualy it is open on winter days or we can expect that due to the weather it will be closed? (I can see booking is open)
2. I can’t find opening time on winter days, so I am not sure if we can plan to take traing from Malaga at 10:05, book tickets for Caminito for 12:00 (is it enough to reach it from train station?) and if we will have enough time for walking the path?
Hope you can help me so I can book tickets asap 🙂
Thanks!
Hi…. Obviously weather can be tricky to foresee…. Go ahead and book your tickets… if it does get really rainy and windy then your only option is to change the date of your entry in the event that the Caminito is closed on your selected day… They don’t give refunds….
Winter times aren’t published yet but I would think the last entry to the path would be 3 or 4 pm as it gets dark by 6pm ish….
I would book your ticket for 1pm ish to allow enough time to get you to the start of the walk (you have to take the shuttle bus from the train station and then walk 20 mins to the start point)
Thanks Clive for quick and usefule replay!
Hi Clive,
What are the chances to miss the connection if I take the train from Malaga to Bobadilla and then from Bobadilla to El Chorro?
This way according to renfe.com I will be in El Chorro at 9:32 AM.
Is there any other way to El Chorro from Bobadilla?
I am sure that you wont miss the connection if you have bought the ticket from Malaga to El Chorro…. Bobadilla is a very small train station…
do I have to buy two tickets( can I do that from the ticket machines?) or can I buy just one that covers both trains? Thanks!
HI… I would think that you buy the ticket from Malaga to El Chorro….
Hi Clive we are going by train from Malaga and have a slot of 13.00. How long does the walk take?
Will we get back to the station in time for our return to Malaga train is 18.02
It will take you around 5 hours from getting off the train, getting to the start point and walking back to the train station along the Caminito del rey…. I preseume your train gets into el chorro around 11ish (10:47 i think)?… Plenty of time for you to enjoy the day…
Hi! If we are coming by train to El Chorro at 10:47 when is the earliest time for us to book tickets for Caminito del Rey. I understand we have to take the shuttle bus and then walk 30 minutes and be at the entry 30 minutes before we should start our walk. Is the first shuttle bus leaving at 11:30 from El Chorro?
I would get your permit for 1pm, that should be enough time for you to get off the train and get the bus to the start point without rushing…
Hello,
Do you think if I took the train from Malaga and arrived at 10:47 to El Chorro I would be able to make the 12:00pm slot for Caminito?
It seems like the only other time slot available isn’t until 16:30.
Thanks!
Thats cutting it a bit fine really but you might make it… It depends how long you have to wait for a bus to get you from the train station to the drop off point (they run every half hour or so)… Then from the bus drop off you have a 15-20 walk to get to the start point….
Hi Clive,
I’m interested in booking this for the 20th July (luckily there is availability) I will be driving down from Marbella and have a few questions
1) What ticket do I need to purchase (Walk or Walk with Bus)
2) Where will I need to travel to start the tour?
3) Would I end up at the same place (i.e where I parked my car)
4) What is the ‘bus’ option? Where does the bus take you?
5) Is there anywhere to park?
Sorry for all the questions would just like to ensure I have ordered the correct tickets.
Thanks in advance for your help. Raeesah
If you have availability for July 20th then don’t wait around… Just book it…. You can work out the details later 🙂 Walk with bus is the ticket you need…… to get you back from the end point (el chorro) to where you parked your care (start point)
Hi! I will be doing the hike in mid June, and I will be coming in from Cordoba and traveling to Seville after finishing the hike. Because I will be in transit and traveling with some luggage, do you know if there is somewhere I can leave my bag while doing the walk (like a locker or left luggage at the train station)? Thanks so much for your help!
Hi. The only option I know is at a place called the Olive Branch which is a great place for an overnight stay as well… I just spoke to the owner and he has offered to look after people bags for them. Pretty sure that there is nothing at the train station for left luggage…. The place is about 20 minutes walk from the train station…. This is the website… I would suggest you contact them first in order to confirm the day and time you want to lkeave your bags http://www.olivebranchelchorro.co.uk/ (mention this website and Clive (me) when you contact them)
Does the rail station at El Chorro have a secure spot to leave our large packs during the tour, or do you have a better recommendation?
Hi. The only option I know is at a place called the Olive Branch which is a great place for an overnight stay as well… I just spoke to the owner and he has offered to look after people bags for them. Pretty sure that there is nothing at the train station for left luggage…. The place is about 20 minutes walk from the train station…. This is the website… I would suggest you contact them first in order to confirm the day and time you want to lkeave your bags http://www.olivebranchelchorro.co.uk/ (mention this website and Clive (me) when you contact them)
We are a group of 8 booked for next week with entry time of 14.30. we are driving and so far as i understand we should park near El Chorro station, wait for a shuttle bus to the northern Ardales entrance? is it correct that the shuttle buses run every half an hour between El Chorro and Ardales? is that on the hour and on the half hour?
Am i correct in thinking that there is enough parking near the station at El Chorro or can you suggest any other parking nearby to the shuttle bus stop?
Hi, Yes to your questions… parking should not be an issue…. remember that you can also park at the northern area by the lakes/kings chair/ kiosko bar….. Then, walk the Caminito del rey and get a shuttle bus back to where you parked the car… (ie in reverse as to what you mentioned) …. every half hour would be on the hour and the half hour no??? 🙂
We are intending to walk Caminito del Rey on 16/3/17. We will take the train from Malaga to El Chorro arriving at 10:47. What time does the shuttle bus to Ardales start? Have found conflicting info on internet. Am I right in assuming should allow approx an hour and a half between arriving in El Chorro and being at walk start point? Would appreciate advice.
Hi, the buses run every half hour from the El Chorro/train station side to the lake side where you start the walk to get back to El Chorro. I would say your timing is OK… From where the bus drops you off it is about half an hour to get to the checkpoint where the walk starts.
That’s helpful thanks – on a week day in January, is it possible to walk from South to North and get the bus back to the station?
Hi, right now you can only walk the Caminito del Rey in one direction from the North, that is from the lakes/kings chair(el kioskpo bar side. So in your case you would have to get a shuttle bus from the El Chorro side to the start point…
A great help thank you. As others have told you, it’s difficult to collect all the details needed to plan visit!
You are welcome Freddy….. Please feel free to share this website with your facebook friends or other social media and please send any photos or trip reports to post here on this website…. 🙂
Hi
We’re going on the train from Malaga, arriving at El Choro at 10.45. I think we have to get the shuttle bus to the start at Ardales (north end).
How long does it take to get from the station to the Ardales entrance, including any walking and the shuttle bus? (Then I can decided what time to book on our entrance tickets) Thanks for any help
I would say that an entry time of 13:00 at the very earliest is what you need…. The bus from El chorro to the drop off is 20 minutes or so and then you have a 30 minute walk to the checkin and start point of the Caminito del Rey… You could always take a picnic and eat before you do the walk :)… Of course this all depends on what time your train back is….
I just visited yesterday to confirm that there are in fact tickets available at the checkin point… So you could wing it if there are no entrances for the date that you want on the online system. You can pay at the gate by card or cash, then wait for a slot to go on the walk. Obviously weekdays are better than weekends and there are no guarentees that you will get a permit at the gate but the lady did tell me that normally nobody waits for more than an hour or so…. Either way, its a nice train trip and good food in the area 🙂
Oh, one more question! Do I need to print out my ticket, or will having it on my phone be enough?
I would be inclined to print your ticket as well but some people have mentioned that they got in with the details on their phone.
Hi Clive, thanks for creating such a great resource!
I don’t see anything here recently about walking one way or both ways? My ticket doesn’t seem to indicate which way. I have a 4:15pm ticket on 10/19 and am wondering if I should plan to only walk one way (so I am not rushed to get off the path before sundown).
I am taking the train and staying in El Chorro. If I were to only walk one way, would it be possible for me to take the shuttle bus from the south end to the north end so I could walk from north to south?
Hi Kelly…The walk can only be done from the North side and is one way finishing at El Chorro so you will need to get the shuttle bus from El Chorro to the start point. Plenty of time before dark to complete the walk. Have fun!
Great! Thank you so much! I am very excited 🙂
You are welcome! Please share this website with your facebook or other social networks if you have them
Hello Clive
What a great website you have created – a clear path through the minefield which is the booking system ( albeit improving ! )
We are booked on the 4pm walk tomorrow ( Thursday ) and realise that we need to set off at 3pm but thought we would make a day of it by possibly swimming and kayaking/ boating beforehand and also having a nice lunch – can you advise how and where we can best do this ?
Kind regards Sean
Sorry meant to also ask is it better to leave the car at the end of the route and get bus to the start so no waiting when we finish ? If so can you let us know where to park and get the bus from ?
ATB Sean
I would park somewhere by the train station, not far of a walk from the bus stop and you can grab a beer afterwards at the train station…. However, that doesn’t fit with your plans of going kayaking in the morning….
Right by the Bar el mirador is the lake and campsite where you can hire kayaks…
Many thanks Clive – an amazing experience- should be a must for anyone capable of walking a few miles – fabulous day out
Glad you had a great day and sorry I couldn’t get back to you sooner to answer your questions, I was leading a walking group for the week and my internet access was a bit limited…
I would like to visit the lakes at El Chorro as my children are too young to do the walk. I am getting the bus from Alora to El Chorro bus stop. Can you tell me how far and what direction to get to the beautiful lakes? Thank you
Hi Sharon. When you arrive in El Chorro you will need to get one of the shuttle buses that take people back to the start point of the Caminito del Rey which is the side where the lakes are. At the lakes side there are bars and restaurants close to the dam and also if you carry on walking for about a kilometre across the dam and passed the hotel Posada del Conde you will arrive at the higher dams with tremendous views… After that you should be able to get a shuttle bus back to el chorro… Be easier with a car though….
We will be going in September and we are debating if we should drive or take the train. I’ve read someone saying that the drive to El Chorro was scary. Is it then better to drive to Ardales? My husband has driven elsewhere in Spain and he has found it a bit stressful (e.g. Mount Tecla, Playa Silencio in the north). If we decide to take the train from Torremolinos to El Chorro, what do we need to do and how much time do we need all together? Thank you.
Hi, Clive. I realize that there is only 1 train per day from Malaga to El Chorro and back, isn’t it? Also I can’t find direct buses of this direction. So now the only option is a car, right?
HI, there are 2 trains one in the morning and one in the afternoon but its best to get the morning one anyway… Leaves malaga at 10:05 and is 6 euros arrives at 10:47. If you have a car then obviously that is the best option.
We are 4 or 5 friends from Norway who want to visit (hike) Caminito del Rey 2nd September this year. We will stay in a hotel in Malaga from Thursday 1st until Sunday 4th of September. May we book tickets here? How to go from Malaga, and how to go back to Malaga after the hike? By train, bus or taxi? Sorry that I do not know much about this. I just saw a video from the area on Facebook, and it looks amazing! Can you help me? Thank you in advanced.
Hi Lise, the hotels in the area are now well experienced on the amazing amount of people visiting the Caminito del Rey so your first question should be with your hotel as they may be able to arrange to get you on one of the many excursions running from Malaga city… There are also trains and buses from malaga to El Chorro.
so how would we get to el choro for the day -by bus and by train.?
only see we have to go back into malaga to get the train.?
I really don’t understand your question at all?…. I see that you run a yoga retreat in Pizarra/Cartama so you are well placed and wouldn’t need to get the train anyway? Perhaps you could rephrase your question and I will try to help out if I can…. 🙂
When you get of the train from Malaga how do you get to the lakes please
Get one of the shuttle buses that take you to the lakes/kings Chair / Bar Mirador area…. They leave every bthirty minutes or so…
This is not a reply, but I hope one of you can help me.
I have a ticket for the Caminito del Rey on March the 16th.
I have some trouble finding out about public transport.
I have made a reservation at a hotel in Ardales, and one at hotel Posada de conde the night before( I have to choose wich one soon) Is it possible to go from Sevilla to either of the hotels by bus/train ?
Where exactly do I get out after walking the caminito when I start walking from the northern entrance – is it possible to walk both ways on the caminito( get out at the same place as I startet ? )
After the walk I have to go to Malaga at late afternoon/night, where can I get a bus/train near the Caminito? Is there anywhere I can deposit a small suitcase when I do the walk ?
Hi Lone,
Firstly, I think it is very unfair of you to reserve 2 hotels when you are only going to stay in one of them. We are at the 10th of March and you are walking on the 16th… It is very likely that the hotel you don’t choose will have an empty room that day because you have left it so late to choose which hotel you want….Hotels in general lose a lot of money because of this double booking practise…
All the info you need about how to do what you want is contained on these pages and more info at the official Caminito del Rey website… You walk from the Ardales side which is where the kings chair, hotel posada del conde and the bar kiosko is…. You will arrive at the el chorro side where the train station is … In order to walk back to your start point, do not cross the suspension bridge at the el chorro side, just look at it and then turn around and go back…. Or you could continue in order to get a train from El Chorro…
Hi,
I will be walking the camino next week and I need to be there by 9:45am. Does anyone know how to get the north side by public transport from Malaga? Is arriving by 945am realistic, or do you think i shoud travel to Ardales the night before and then travel to el kiosko in the morning?
I really can’t seem to find any information regarding public transport to the North side.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Nat
I would like to book a time to walk the Caminita Del Rey in the next 2-3 months. I see all days in January and February are fully booked. Can you tell me when bookings for March – April open?
Do you have any information about booking the tickets to El Caminito del Rey in October? Will it be possible at all and when? Now the booking calendar online ends in September. Also, is it really so difficult to find a parking space there – the official website discourages from arriving by car. Thank you
We’re going to north entrance to caminito del rey tomorrow. I note that road from Ardales to El Chorro is closed. Does that affect us driving to El Kiosk to start the walk? Thanks
Hi, as far as I am aware the road from Ardales to the kiosko (reservoirs) is open. It is the junction a few kilometres from el kiosko that goes towards el chorro that is closed for roadworks. have a great walk!
Thanks Clive! As the road is closed there are no shuttle buses so we have to walk back the way we came.
You’re welcome! I walked there and back from el kiosko without a problem… Just remember, only go as far as the suspension bridge, cross it and then turn back.. Don’t go past the el chorro checkpoint or they wont let you back in…. Send me a trip report and some photos and I will be glad to publish it here… Have a great time…
Hi Clive,
Thank you for the very informative replies above. But I am still not sure if we should park our car opposit El Kiosko or at the “Mirador de los 3 Embalses”.
Are both locations official parking lots and do they have equal time walking to the control point?
I think the return shuttle stops at El Kiosko, right?
Thanks a lot.
Flemming
Right now there is no such thing as an “official” parking lots…. You could park anywhere along the reservoir side from the hotel Posada del Conde to the restaurante Mirador or up the track to the entrance of the Gaitanejo footpath…. I parked opposite the Kiosko bar and walked from there through the tunnel for 3 Km to the checkpoint… It is signposted and very easy to follow… Stop panicking 🙂 Park you car as close to the Kiosko bar as you can and walk…. Its just 30 mins from there to the checkpoint.
Hi, I am glad I came across this exchange as our starting point is the North Ardales and I was going to head for El Chorro as directed on the official website using the GPS co-ords they supply. I have tried to locate the start point for the Ardales/North, have searched for the Restaurante Mirador you mention above unsuccessfully. Are you able to supply any additional information that would help me find the start point parking for the Ardales/North entry, I will be driving and using a Satnav.
Hi, I walked the caminito last Saturday from the Ardales side… I parked my car right opposite the Kiosko Bar on the edge of the Guadalhorce lake… very easy to find. It is 30 minutes from there to the checkpoint and is well signposted…. You go through the wide tunnel to the right of the Kiosko Bar (facing the bar with your back to the lake) Clive
good morning I am having a 12.30h walk from North side of El Camnito del Rey, would any one be able where I need to Parc for the North sied and how do I get back after the walk to my car?
How long is it from teh car parc to the actual start of the North side of El Camnito del Rey.
Please let me know,
Best,
Jeroen
Hi, the North is the Ardales side so you need to get to the Gaitanejo footpath which is by the Guadalhorce lakes and NOT El Chorro….. When you come to the dirt track on your right just by the restaurante Mirador, take that and go up the track towards the “Mirador de los 3 Embalses”… Park there and take the footpath “Gaitanejo” down to the entry point. Allow 30 mins to park and walk and remember you have to be at the checkpoint 30 minutes before your entry time… You need to be parked up and walking by 11:30 am at the very latest.
Thanks very helpful!
You are most welcome….. The official website is a bit confusing for non Spanish so I am glad you found http://www.caminodelrey.es helpful.. 🙂
We have tickets to 13.00 o`clock. We are landing in the airport 10.35. If we are not there half an hour early, will our tickets go to other people?
Is it easy to find the parking place near Ardales?
Hi, I think that you are cutting it a bit fine there actually. It depends how long it takes you to get out of the airport… Either way you will have to rush to get there in time. Parking shouldn’t be a problem but remember it takes half an hour to walk to the start point and you have to be there half an hour before your entry time. Best of luck!
Is it possible to change the tickets to an hour later – e.g. el 17. April a las 14.00 or 15.00? I never saw in the first place, that we had to be there 1 hour earlier. My son and his girlfriend are here only 4 days, and the other 3 was booked.
Inge
Could we eventually change the tickets to the 18th or 19th of April and we need only 2 tickets. I am not able to walk that much, so I regret. We have 3 tickets now for the 17th.
Best regards, Inge
i doubt it very much…. Use the tickets that you have… You are lucky to even get them!!! 🙂
How long is it from the train station. I read something about taking a cab from the train station?
I presume that you are asking about the Caminito del Rey? You certainly don’t need a taxi from the train station…. It’s about 30 minutes walk….
Hello Clive
thanks for your helpful tips & tricks
I would like to know if there is any buses coming from Malaga to el caminito el friday 15th of september. we have our ticket for 12.30.
i saw this bus site, but it looks like there is no bus after 8.30 in the morning and no train either (checked with ACP train)
http://www.ctmam.es/new-bus-service-m-236-from-malaga-to-caminito-del-rey-since-august-1st/
thanks a lot for your kind help
Régine
Hi Regine…. Normally you can only get times and book online trains and buses around 30 days before you want to travel… There is a 10.05 train from Malaga that takes 40 minutes, then you need to get the shuttle bus to the start point.. Should be enough time for you to do the walk and then get the train back to Malaga in the afternoon… Like I said, book your train arounf the third week of August and you should be fine.. Its 6 euros one way….