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 OMIO…
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
Getting to the Caminito del Rey: Travel FAQ for El Chorro and the Guadalhorce Reservoirs
The Caminito del Rey is located in the province of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain. The route winds through the dramatic El Chorro Gorge, finishing near the village of El Chorro. However, the official starting point is on the opposite side, near the Guadalhorce reservoirs. Key landmarks close to the start include the King’s Chair, Posada del Conde, and the Kiosko and Mirador restaurants.
By Car: From Málaga, take the A-357. The drive takes about one hour. Parking is available at the northern entrance (P1, paid) or the southern exit near El Chorro (P2, free). A shuttle bus connects both ends of the route.
By Train: Take a train to El Chorro, Spain. Tickets are available via platforms like OMIO. From El Chorro station, a shuttle bus brings you to the trailhead.
By Bus: Public buses are possible but less reliable, requiring connections (e.g., Málaga to Álora, then to El Chorro). The train is typically more efficient.
Visitor Centre: Located near the reservoirs.
P1 North (Start Point): Costs €2/day. Coordinates: 36.928814, -4.801529.
P2 South (El Chorro Side): Free parking. Coordinates: 36.905602, -4.759938.
If you park at the start, take the shuttle back after the walk. If you park at El Chorro, take the shuttle before starting the walk.
The shuttle bus runs approximately every 30 minutes from 08:30 to 16:30.
Cost: €2.50 per person, paid in cash (exact change recommended).
Journey Time: About 15 minutes from El Chorro to the start point.
Access: Required whether arriving by car (P2) or train at El Chorro.
Arrive early and plan ahead. For example, if your train arrives in El Chorro at 09:37 and you catch the 10:00 shuttle, you’ll reach the trail start around 10:15. Factor in a 20-minute walk to the control point, where you must arrive 30 minutes before your slot. A booking for 11:30 or later is safest for a relaxed visit. The walk takes 2.5 to 5 hours depending on your pace.
There are no official luggage storage facilities at the Caminito del Rey. If you’re traveling between cities like Granada and Seville, plan to carry only essentials or arrange alternative storage beforehand.
Toilets are available just before the walkway begins, at the control checkpoint near the northern entrance. There are no toilets along the route itself.
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.