Getting there
- Flights to Málaga (AGP) 40 km from the start
Treks / Spain
Caminito del Rey
Spain · Nearest city: Málaga
TypeDay hike
Days1
Distance≈ 8 km
Climbingvaries
Highest pointlow-level
A boardwalk pinned to the walls of the Gaitanes gorge, once called the world's most dangerous path and now safe and spectacular.
Fitness
Easy
Best seasonAll year
Watch out: Timed tickets sell out weeks ahead in high season.
Why people choose it
It's a spectacular walk on boardwalks pinned to the side of a gorge, safe today but with a thrilling sense of exposure.
What makes it different
- Boardwalks 100 m above the river
- Once called the world's most dangerous path
- Short and suitable for most people
Before you go
Some of these are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. We only list services that fit this trek.
Phone and data
Phone plans from the EU and EEA roam here at home prices. Coming from the US, UK or elsewhere? A Europe data eSIM is usually far cheaper than roaming.
Expect long stretches with no signal on the trail. Download offline maps and our GPX before you start.
Insurance that covers this trek
Most travel insurance includes hiking at this height. Check that hiking is listed and that medical evacuation is covered.
Rescue is not the same as evacuation. Travel insurance usually pays to fly you to hospital, but not always for the search and rescue itself. Read the policy's "search and rescue" section.
True Traveller sells only to UK and EEA residents. Always check the altitude limit and your country of residence in the policy wording. Our trekking insurance guide explains what to look for.
Camping and where to sleep
Wild camping is regulated by each region and generally banned in natural parks. Mountain refuges and campsites are the norm.
Rules change and differ between parks. Check with the local park or tourist office before you pitch a tent.
Route map
Map layers load on the live site. Use the overview below meanwhile.
Trail from OpenStreetMap (3.3 km) Start / finish Stop on the way Nearest city
Switch between Topo, Satellite and Street layers with the layer button, and turn on the marked hiking trails overlay. The trail line is the OpenStreetMap hiking route and may differ from the variant you choose. Always carry a proper hiking map on the trail.
Stops: Ardales → El Chorro
Simple overview map
Step by step
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Months before
Plan and book
- Get the required permit, reservation or ticket. Popular dates sell out.
- Best time to go: All year.
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6–12 weeks before
Train and test your gear
- Take the readiness quiz to see how many weeks of training you need.
- Break in your boots and train with the pack you'll carry.
- Tick off the packing list to see what you still need.
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Getting there
Travel to the start
- Most people start from Málaga.
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On the trail
Walk it
- Start early and set a turnaround time. Be back down before the weather turns or daylight fades.
- Carry water, food, a warm layer and a rain jacket even on a sunny day.
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The finish
Get home
- It's a one-way route, so plan your transport back from the finish in advance.
How the season changes things
Best time: All year
March to May
Spring
The best time for most people: green hills, wildflowers and comfortable temperatures.
Bring
- Light layers
- Sun hat
- A light rain jacket for showers
June to August
Summer
Hot, often above 30°C, with little shade. Start at dawn and rest in the afternoon. Fire risk can close paths.
Bring
- 2–3 litres of water
- Sun hat and long sleeves
- Electrolytes
September to November
Autumn
Warm sea and settled weather in early autumn, with the first storms arriving later.
Bring
- Rain jacket from October
- Light layers
- Headlamp as days shorten
Be ready for
Heat
Start at dawn, rest in the shade at midday, and carry more water than you think. Electrolytes help.
What you'll see
2 photos taken on and around the route by Wikimedia Commons photographers. Tap one to see it bigger.
Gear for the Caminito del Rey
Photo credits: Caminito del Rey by User Gabirulo on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons; Ardales-Calvario by José F. Martínez Rivero, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Photos resized for the web. Figures are approximate and vary with the variant you choose.
