Caminito del Rey Circuit, Ardales (Málaga)

30 04 2021

Caminito Del Rey Circuit, Ardales

This is my fifth time on this amazing walk. It still feels as new as the first time I did it, when they first opened it up to the public.
I decided to spice it up and do it circular this time.

What can I say about this Iconic walk that hasn’t already been said.
Just do it, take it slow and enjoy this amazing feat of engineering.

I started from the free parking area next to the Mirador restaurant, which has some amazing views. (Take the road on the right before the tunnel where the restaurant is).

I turned up without an online ticket, and that wasn’t a problem.

Eventually you come to the exciting suspension bridge which crosses over the gorge Filaderos de los Gaitanes.
Then you pass over the railway bridge where some of Von Ryan’s Express was filmed
Once past the end of the Caminito, you walk along the MA 5403. It’s not a busy road but stay on the left.

I did experience a few gps glitches on route, but frankly you cannot go wrong. Ignore the elevation, it is totally wrong, more like 150m.
Weekends and Bank holidays will always be busier.
If you don’t want to do the whole circuit, just get the shuttle bus (1,55e)
near La Garganta Hotel.

There are seven parts of the route:
• Visitor Reception Area Shuttle bus stop and a car park El Kiosko Restaurant
• Two access areas: the path and Gaitanejo way (2.7 km or 1.5 km long route, depending on your choice).
• Visitor Reception Centre and Gaitanejo Reservoir.
• First Canyon Gaitanejo Gorge (2.9 km from the entrance to the exit)
• Second Canyon Las Palomas Cliff
• Hoyo Valley
• Third Canyon Gaitanes Gorge (Desfiladero de los Gaitanes)
• Last Stretch Boardwalk to the exit
• Downwards path to the El Chorro Train Station, called Avenue Caminito del Rey (2.1 km).