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!
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.