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!
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…