Caminito del Rey in Spain: tickets, opening hours and the route above the gorge

The King's Path (Caminito del Rey) in Spain hangs over a gorge at a height of 100 meters. This walkway of concrete and steel rails was built for dam workers, and now tourists in mandatory helmets walk along it every day. The place was long considered the most dangerous trail in the world and was kept closed for more than ten years (trail history). After a 9 million euro restoration, the path is open again, but you can only enter with a timed ticket.

It's best to sort out your pass in advance. In 2026, a ticket costs €10 for a self-guided walk (as of 09/2026, official website), and on popular dates slots sell out weeks ahead. Further in the text: trail history, tickets and opening hours, the route itself, and how to get to El Chorro from Malaga.

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Origin and name

💡 In short:

• A ticket costs €10 for a self-guided walk or €18 with an official guide (as of 09/2026, ticket prices)
• The trail is open Tuesday through Sunday, closed on Mondays (opening calendar)
• The most convenient way to reach El Chorro is by Renfe train from Malaga
• Prices and opening hours: 09/2026, verified on the official portal

The walkway was built between 1901 and 1905 for workers at two hydroelectric power stations at the Chorro and Gaitanejo waterfalls (history and facts). It was used to lower materials and equipment, and also to inspect and repair the canal. The deck rested on steel rails driven into the rock at an angle of about 45 degrees. The width of the walkway did not exceed one meter.

© Malopez 21 · CC BY-SAPhoto: Malopez 21, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

The trail got its current name from King Alfonso XIII. In 1921 he crossed the gorge to inaugurate the Conde del Guadalhorce dam (history of the site). According to local accounts, the monarch did not walk the entire route, but the name stuck after his visit. That is how a service walkway became the King's Little Path.

Today you walk through the same gorge where construction workers once labored. There was no proper road between the two hydroelectric facilities, so the walkway became the only route across the cliff. Locals used it to get to school, the shop, and the bar (Andalusia tourist board). Over time, the trail became part of daily life in El Chorro and the neighboring villages.

Structural features

The King's Little Path clings to the sheer walls of the Gaitanes Gorge. Below you there is at least 100 meters down to the river (trail specifications), and under your feet is a narrow strip of concrete and wood. Rock on the left, a drop on the right, and the railings here serve as climbing protection.

The original rails were driven into the rock at a 45-degree angle and capped with concrete (technical details). This design held up for decades with almost no maintenance. Some of the old supports were left as a reminder, while a new, safe walkway runs alongside them.

The total route length is now 7.7 kilometers, of which only 2.9 kilometers are walkways above the gorge (tourist office data). The remaining 4.8 kilometers are approach paths and a tunnel. The walkway width in places does not exceed one meter, so passing each other here is not the done thing.

Current state: restoration and status

Over the 20th century, the concrete collapsed in places and the rails rusted through. After several people died in 1999 and 2000, the government closed both entrances to the trail (closure timeline). That is when it was dubbed the world's most dangerous path. Desperate tourists still made their way to the cliff and ended up in new incidents.

The decision to restore it was made in June 2011. The government of Andalusia and the province of Malaga invested around 9 million euros in the project (restoration). The work took almost three years, and some of the operations were carried out by industrial climbers.

The trail reopened on March 29, 2015. Lonely Planet included it in its list of the best new attractions of the year, and since then the route has become one of the most visited in Andalusia (site status). Entry time restrictions were introduced precisely because of this demand.

Today entry is strictly by ticket with a fixed time slot. At the start you are given a helmet, and without it you will not be allowed past the checkpoint. This is no longer the wild trail from old reports, but a managed tourist route with security and rules.

Tickets and opening hours (as of 09/2026)

Admission cost depends on the format. A self-guided walk costs 10 €, while a visit with an official guide will run you 18 € (as of 09/2026, tickets and prices). Buy online through the official portal: available slots sell out quickly, and on holidays they are gone a week in advance.

There are age and purchase restrictions. Children under 8 are not allowed on the trail, and teenagers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult (access rules). One buyer can purchase a maximum of 10 tickets. After payment, you need to enter each visitor's name on each ticket in your account.

The trail is closed on Mondays. Entry times depend on the season: in summer it operates until early evening, in winter until midday; check the exact schedule on the official website before buying (schedule). Arrive at the start of your time slot, as being late may cost you your entry.

If you want a ready-made program with transfer and guide, take a look at GetYourGuide tours.

Trail route: 7.7 km above the gorge

The route is linear: you enter from the north and exit in the south, toward El Chorro. Walking in the opposite direction is not allowed. The sections below are based on data from the Andalusian tourism office (09/2026).

Helmets are provided at the entrance, but you choose your own footwear. Wear hiking boots with good grip; smooth-soled athletic sneakers are dangerous here. Water and a light snack will come in handy, although large backpacks are not allowed on the trail.

At a relaxed pace, the route takes about three hours including the approach paths (official information). One morning or afternoon is enough. The wind in the gorge is stronger than it seems, so a light jacket won't hurt.

How to get to El Chorro

The easiest way is by train. Renfe regional trains run from María Zambrano station in Malaga to El Chorro station, and the trip takes less than an hour (Renfe schedule). From the station, a local shuttle takes you to the north entrance (access and route).

By car, you drive to the Puerto de las Atalayas visitor center on road MA-5403 between Ardales and El Chorro (how to get there). There is parking there, and a marked route through the tunnel leads from the parking lot to the entrance. The old advice to take the train to Alora and then a taxi also works, but it takes longer and costs more.

© Tiia Monto · CC BY-SAPhoto: Tiia Monto, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Factor in the finish logistics. The trail ends in El Chorro, while your car stays at the north entrance. A local shuttle bus runs between the two ends and brings you back to the parking lot (shuttle). Check the schedule for your travel day.

Train tickets to El Chorro are best booked in advance: in summer, the needed departures sell out quickly. Check trains on Trip.com, where you can see times and prices right away.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Can you hike the King's Little Path without a guide?

Yes, most visitors go on their own. The ticket costs 10 € (as of 09/2026, park website), the route is marked, and helmets are handed out at the entrance. A guide is more useful for historical details and if you don't want to deal with the logistics yourself. An official guide costs 18 €.

How long does the whole route take?

From entrance to exit it adds up to 7.7 kilometers (route mileage). At a relaxed pace with photo stops, it takes about three hours. Allow half a day including travel, parking, and waiting for the shuttle back. There's no point rushing on the slippery sections.

What age can children start?

The trail is open from age 8; younger children are not allowed even with parents. Teenagers under 18 need an accompanying adult (rules). A child will need proof of age: a passport or family book in the original. Bring it with you.

When is the trail closed?

It is closed every Monday, and opening hours depend on the season (opening hours). In winter the last slots are mid-day, in summer they run longer. In strong winds the route may also be closed, so check the status in the morning. If the trail is closed due to weather, the ticket is usually moved to another date.

What should you bring?

Shoes with tread, water, and a light jacket; nothing else is needed. A helmet is provided on site, and large backpacks are not allowed through. In summer, add a hat and sunscreen. Don't step beyond the railings for a photo: the fines here are real.

In short: what's worth booking

The King's Little Path is a one-day route above the gorge that requires a slot purchased in advance. If you have a day near Malaga and are ready to walk 7.7 kilometers, take the self-guided ticket for 10 € (as of 09/2026, tickets) and the train to El Chorro. If you want to skip the logistics, take a tour with a guide and transfer from Malaga.

If you're driving, park at the north entrance and keep the shuttle schedule on your phone. Monday is out, so plan your visit for Tuesday through Sunday. See tour options on GetYourGuide.