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!
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…