Caminito del rey – a 3 hour walk full of beauty

An adventurous Walk

A highlight of our Spain travels was the Caminito del Rey. It was on our Must-Do list for quite a long time and so we decided to finally make it happen.

Here are some facts about the Caminito del Rey:

Caminito del Rey, also known as “The King’s Little Pathway,” is located in the province of Málaga, Andalusia, Spain.

Originally built in 1905, Caminito del Rey was constructed as a maintenance path for workers of a nearby hydroelectric power plant. Due to its unsafe and dangerous condition over the years the caminito had a bad reputation and was known as the most dangerous footpath in the world.

After being closed for over a decade due to safety concerns, Caminito del Rey underwent extensive renovations and reopened to the public in 2015 with modern safety features.

What can you expect during the hike?

During the hike you experience the beauty of breathtaking views and an unforgettable nature. Always keep your belongings close, we know from experience how fast a cellphone can fall down the cliff…

The walk takes approximately 3 hours, but the time flew by so fast, as there is so much to see. Also the path varies. You don’t walk along the cliff all the time, you also walk through forestlike nature. And the highlight waits for you at the end: a suspension bridge (Puente del Rey) with the canyon Tajo de las Palomas underneath you. An unforgettable experience, that is a bit challenging as well if you are a little fearful.

Our tips for this trip:

Book your tickets in advance, because the Caminito is a famous tourist attraction.

Plan your arrival and departure to the caminito. Depending on how you get there, train or car, the walk does not end where it started. There is a shuttle bus that brings you back to the parking spot, where you can park your car. Plan enough time in advance, so you don’t miss your time slot for the walk. We recommend getting to the parking spot one hour in advance. When the shuttle bus brings you to the Caminito, you still have to walk almost 3 kilometers to the control cabin.

There you receive a helmet and if booked a guided tour (which we recommend) you start with the actual tour.

Bring water and something to eat with you and make sure you have comfortable and suitable walking shoes.

Also if you really are afraid of heights, this beautiful walk might not be the right option for you, because once started, there is no turning back.