Caminito del Rey

The Caminito del Rey is a 7.7-kilometre gorge walk through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, about 12 kilometres north of Álora. Álora's railway station is one of the main access points: you can walk from the station or take local transport to the southern entrance at El Chorro village. The path is one-way, and most visitors need to arrange a return from the northern exit at Ardales.

Book online well in advance — entry is capped and the walk has become very popular since the restoration. The scenery in the gorge is genuinely exceptional: sheer limestone walls, wooden walkways pinned above the river, and tunnels cut through the rock. Allow about four hours for the walk itself, plus travel time.

things to do nature hiking
A story
The path was originally built between 1901 and 1905 to allow workers to carry materials along the sheer walls of the Chorro gorge between two hydroelectric dams. For decades it fell into disrepair and became notorious as one of the world's most dangerous walks — sections were missing entirely. A full restoration completed in 2015 turned it into a world-class gorge walk with a fixed access system and guided sections.

Other places in Things to Do