FREE ACCESS TO THE CAMINITO DEL REY HAS NOW CEASED .
THIS ARTICLE IS NOW REPLACED BY THE NEW BOOKING SYSTEM INSTRUCTIONS HERE…
Please click the above link to get updated instructions about tickets for the Caminito del Rey
Although the official website for booking a walk on the Caminito del Rey is in four languages (Spanish, English, German and French), the actual booking system is in Spanish. That said, the booking system is fairly easy to navigate. (though not without some annoying issues – See note at the bottom of these instructions.)
If there are no availabilities for the day you want then an alternative is to stay at the hotel Posada del Conde and the staff there can arrange a permit for you for any day apart from Monday.
- Go to www.caminitodelrey.info (This is the English language page.)
- At the top left click on “Book your visit”
- In the new page select the date that you would like the permit for. (use the buttons to navigate through the calendar) – The red dates are days where there are no spaces left. Green dates have spaces available.
- Once the date is selected on the right hand side select which entry point you want. (Ardales is from the lake side and finishes at El Chorro and Alora is from El Chorro side and finishes at the lakes. From El Chorro the walk is more uphill and takes a bit longer, about 5 hours)
- Select the hour you want to enter the Camino del Rey
- Fill in the identification details in the form that appears (The ones marked with an asterisk are obligatory). Select from the drop down, passport or DNI. (some people are having trouble with this. I put my British passport number in the DNI box without a problem
- Say how many people that are going with you and fill out the details of those people. (You will need their passport details as well.
- Tick the box to say you accept the rules – “Normas Reguladoras de Uso”
- Click on the “Reservar” and you are done… You will receive an email with all the details in a PDF document. Check your spam box if you don’t get an email)
- IMPORTANT – make sure you print the document and take it with you and also the passport/identification you used for you and any other people (You will be asked for this before you enter)
Note: Try to get all your info right the first time. Sometimes when the page refreshes and you have got something wrong, the information you previously put is lost and you have to start again.
TIP: You can walk back to the place you started from as long as you don’t pass the checkpoint at the other end. (I have walked from the Ardales side as far as the suspension bridge and then back again without problem and it took me 4 hours.)
There are also shuttle buses available – The shuttle buses start at 12:30pm from each end of the Caminito del Rey and the last bus is at 20:30pm. The buses run every half hour during these times. The cost is under 2 Euros to get you back to the your start point
IMPORTANT! Remember that you have to be at the start point 30 minutes before your allotted time and from either end it takes around 30 minutes to get to the start point. Allow plenty of time to park your car and get to the start checkpoint to show your entry permit.
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,
hopefully my last questions.
When you start the walk from the north side (Ardales), there are two restaurants that you can choose to park your car at, namely El Kiosko, and EL Mirador. Which of these is the closest to the entrance to the tunnel, which I understand is the shortest way to get through to the ticket check (about 20 min. walking)??
Return to the north side is done by bus. Where is the last stop?
Is it at El Mirador or El Kiosko?
Regards
Per
Hi Per, those two bars are only a few hundred metres apart so it doesn’t really matter time wise where you park…
Clive,
ok I will do what you suggested.
When I’ll be back home after my visit in Spain, I’ll give you my views about the trip a s o. My start is on the 18th of May at 12.00 hours. Thats my 71 anniversity which I selebrate by walking “El Caminito del Rey” with three friends of mine.
Saludos amigo!
El sueco Per
Hi Clive,
I’ve got one more question for you:
Where can I find a good map over the “El Caminito del Rey”?
I’ve been searching on the website, but those I’ve found is not very good and not so detailed. Hope you can give me a hint!
Perhaps I can buy one at the entrance on the north side, where I’ve to start my walk?
Regards
Per from Sweden
Hi Per, maps are quite hard to come by here still, especially up to date acurate ones…. Why not download google earth to your computer, find the area caminito del rey and print off the topo map?
Hi Clive
Please can you point me in the right direction for information for public transport from Fuengrola to the starting point of the Caminto del Ray? Do you know how long the journey takes?
Thank you so much,
Warm regards
Susan
Hi Susan, I would suggest you pop in to the Fuengirola bus station as I heard that some companies were adding extra transport lines to get people from the coast up to the Caminito del Rey.
1. Para visitar el Caminito del Rey será requisito obligatorio estar en posesión de la correspondiente entrada, que incluirá el día y la hora de la visita, además ésta es necesaria para poder salir del mismo. El acceso siempre será, salvo autorización, por la zona norte (por Ardales) al objeto de que el visitante siempre lo haga en descenso.
Does it mean that you are only allowed to enter walk from one direction Ardales in the north?
Can’nt you choose the direction fram El Churro?
Regards Per
Hi Per… You are correct, foot traffic is one way from the Guadalhorce lake side and finishes at El Chorro where you will get a bus back to your starting point. (Every half hour or so)