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.
Visiting the Caminito del Rey is not just about the walkway—it’s about the full experience of discovering El Chorro and the stunning Guadalhorce reservoirs. Whether you arrive by car, train, or shuttle, planning your route in advance ensures a smooth and stress-free visit. Remember that El Chorro marks the end of your journey, not the starting point, so factor in shuttle times and parking options before you go. With its breathtaking views and easy accessibility from Málaga, a trip to El Chorro and the Caminito del Rey promises one of the most unforgettable adventures in Andalusia. Start planning your visit today and enjoy every step of this world-famous route.
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!
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 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….