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!
Hello Clive,
Thanks for your brief information about Caminito Del Rey.
With my family we are going to visit Caminito Del Rey in June. But my wife and my little son have to wait for us at the entrance. Which side is better for wait for at least 3 hours, north side or south side?
Thanks
Hi Cem
You start at the lake side/kings chair/bar Mirador so the best place for your family to wait is at the El Chorro side where the walkn finishes
Hello, Clive-
I am so grateful to have found you. I have one opportunity to hike and that is Sunday (4/15) at 10 AM. What are the chances that I can take a taxi or car service from Malaga to the starting point at 8am?
Hi Clive.
Just wanted to ask if the parking lot at the north entrance is safe or supervised? We are travelling from Ronda, doing the hike and then carrying on to Nerja for the night. We will have our luggage in our vehicle while we do the hike. Just wanted to ask your opinion on the safety of it. Thanks so much!
Obviously there is always some risk involved in leaving things in a parked car but that said I haven’t heard of any thefts since the Caminito del Rey opened to the public… The free parking area around the kisosko reestaurant and Mirador restaurant area I would avoid if your are concerened and use the pay car park on the lakeside by the Mirador restaurant.. Don’t leave anything on view… I think there is a sign up that the people who run the car park are not responsible for things left in the car… (The usual get out clause in most carparks)
Have a great day out,
Thanks so much Clive!
Hi Clive,
Do you know if from Alora train station I have to go into town to take M 340 bus to El Chorro or is there a bus staion near the
trainstation?
Thanks!
There is a bus service to El Chorro from Alora train station, There are 4 buses each day. Alora station is located at the terminal of the Malaga C2 ‘Cercanias’ line which has regular services from Malaga city.
Bus times here..
http://www.ctmam.es/lineas/M-340
Hello again Clive.
Some post visit thoughts on Caminito Del Rey.
What an excellent day out, A refreshing change from big city Malaga, especially as we did Seville, Cordoba, plus a days cycling in the same week.
We had a 12:45 slot off the 10:47 train. Just made it ,30 minutes to spare at the hard hat issuing point. This using the small / long tunnel 5 minutes back down the road from the main restaurant bar.
1. Buses do stop in station car park. There is now a green bus stop for this. Though our train was over 10 minutes late, the 11 am. bus did wait.
2.Our bus did say destination Caminito Del Rey on the front but others didn’t. Plus it was full to bursting when it did set off !
3. The small tunnel is on the r.h.s. of the road and is easy to miss when passing on the bus, perhaps look on street view before going.
4. It is now signposted at the entrance. The lights were not working so was pitch black inside. Smartphone torch possibly useful. The floor is made of sand so no problems walking in the dark.
5. at hard hat control point lady in charge was asking if anyone needed to buy tickets. This in October NOT peak season. Also she let us through 15 minutes early. All staff friendly plus English OK.
6. Enjoyed a leisurely stroll through beautiful countryside with amazing views around every Corner an unforgettable experience.
7. If on the 6:05 train back, don’t rush.
8. Plenty of time for a walk up the road from the station, great views of the bottom reservoir, rock climbers and towards the coast.
9. Return to Malaga with batteries fully recharged plus 1000 photographs.
Again thanks for your help, Very much appreciated on the day.
Diane and Andy.
Fantastic feedback and useful info Diane and Andy, Thankyou……