Caminito del Rey – North Access

El Caminito del Rey (The King's Little Path) is one of Spain's most iconic hiking experiences — a narrow walkway bolted to the sheer limestone walls of the Gaitanes Gorge, 100 metres above the river below. Originally built between 1901 and 1905 to connect two hydroelectric plants, it earned its royal name when King Alfonso XIII crossed it in 1921 for the inauguration of the Conde del Guadalhorce dam. For decades it fell into disrepair, earning a reputation as the "world's most dangerous walkway," before undergoing a comprehensive €2.7 million restoration that reopened it safely in 2015. Today it draws over 300,000 visitors annually.

The main walkway stretches 3 kilometres through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, a dramatic gorge carved by the Guadalhorce River. The path is 1 metre wide, with sections of glass floor panels offering vertiginous views straight down to the riverbed. Along the way you'll pass the iconic narrow suspension bridge sections and walk beneath overhanging cliffs where griffon vultures circle overhead. The access paths on each end add another 4.7 km, making the full experience about 7.7 km point-to-point from the north access (at Ardales) to the south exit (at El Chorro).

Tickets must be booked in advance online — they are not sold on-site and frequently sell out days ahead, especially in spring and autumn. The walk is one-way and takes roughly 3–4 hours at a relaxed pace including the access trails. The best conditions are in spring (March–June) when wildflowers bloom and the river runs full, and autumn (September–November) when the light is golden and temperatures mild. Summer can be intensely hot with little shade, and winter days are short. Hard hats are provided at the entrance and are mandatory. The north access car park is well signposted from the A-357 road near Ardales.