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!
How much does it cost to take a bus to El Chorro Village from Sevilla City?
Hi
The best way to get from Seville to El Chorro is train which takes around 3.5 hours and costs 27€ – 40€. Alternatively, you can bus, which costs 20€ – 29€ and but takes from 4 to hours depending on the route.
To be honest its a bit undo-able as a day trip…(Unless you are staying the night in El Chorro.)
Hello!
We are going by car and plan on parking in El Chorro and take the shuttle bus to the north entrance, that seems convenient after the walk.
1. Do you have to book bus tickets in advance or can you just show up on the day and pay cash? We don’t wanna be stranded in either end because we aren’t allowed to get on the bus.
2. Somewhere I think I read that shuttle buses start at like 12:00 or somehting. Does that mean you cannot take the shuttle from El Chorro to the entrance if you have a ticket for the walk valid in the morning?
Thanks
Benny
Hi Benny, the first bus leaves at 9am from El Chorro (according to the official website http://www.caminitodelrey.info/en/5235/documents). You don’t have to book the bus in advance and the buses are every 30 minutes for most of the day…
Hi Clive, My family and I want to do the 9:45am guided walk in late August. We will be staying close to the El Chorro train station. If we take the 9:00 shuttle bus to the kiosko area, will we have enough time to catch the 9:45 walk? Thank you for your help. Hok Pan
Hi…. I think that is a bit close, timing wise. Maybe you could get your hotel to order you a taxi for 8:30 am. From where the bus drops you off it os a 15/20 minute walk to the checkin point to start the walk…
Hi Clive! I love your replies and have found them very helpful, especially with regards to car parking.
I have booked tickets for my husband and I from Australia via the web site and both tickets have identical booking numbers and I am wondering whether it is because it is under my name and passport number. I did not see any accommodation for my husband’s details and passport number and wonder if this will be a problem on the day. We are walking the trail on 29 May 2019.
Cheers and thank you,
Margaret
Hi Margaret, thankyou for your kind comments and I am glad my site has helped! yes you are correct, it’s essentially the same entry number because of 1 set of identification info when you make the reservation online for the Caminito del Rey. Have a great day and let me knoe how you get on.
Hi Clive,
I will be coming with family who are doing the walk.
We will get the train to El Chorro, and shuttle bus to El Kiosko restaurant.
I will not be doing the walk due to vertigo along with parter and wondered if I stay at the lakes by La Isla I will be able to get shuttle bus back to El Chorro?
Thank you
Yes, you can get the shuttle bus back to el chorro from the kiosko area… They leave evry thirty minutes or so…