{"id":47518,"date":"2025-03-14T13:29:45","date_gmt":"2025-03-14T10:29:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/caminito-del-rey\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T21:55:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T18:55:12","slug":"caminito-del-rey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/caminito-del-rey\/","title":{"rendered":"Caminito del Rey – personal experience, how to walk the Path of the Kings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Once, this mountain trail El Camino del Rey<\/strong> was considered one of the most dangerous in the world. It was called El Camino de la Muerte<\/strong> \u2013 which means “The Path of Death.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only brave climbers could reach it and complete the route using special equipment. However, the times when hikes on Caminito del Rey were both dangerous and illegal are long gone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since 2015, wooden platforms have been securely attached to the mountain slope and suspended 100 meters above the Guadalhorce River. These replaced the partially ruined old path, and the modern Caminito del Rey, supported by new infrastructure and safety measures, has gained immense popularity among tourists. So much so that tickets for visiting the Royal Path must be purchased in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this publication, I will tell you what you need to know before visiting El Caminito del Rey<\/strong> and how to prepare for the most beautiful hiking route in Spain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Recommended reading: Camino Portugues \u2013 coastal route from Porto to Santiago-de-Compostela<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

History of Caminito del Rey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Caminito del Rey<\/strong> was originally a path used by workers during the construction of hydroelectric power plants in the early 1900s. For a long time, it was operational, and besides transporting construction materials and servicing two important dams, it was used by both locals and tourists. In 1921, the King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, even walked a small section of Caminito del Rey to officially inaugurate the Conde de Guadalhorce<\/strong> dam, which led to the route’s name, El Caminito del Rey<\/strong> (The Little King’s Path<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, over time, the path through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes<\/strong> gorge, 100 meters above the Guadalhorce River, fell into a dangerous, semi-ruined state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was first officially closed in the late 1980s \u2013 early 90s, but people still had easy access to it. Over the next decade, several fatal accidents occurred, culminating in the deaths of three tourists who used a zip line in 2000. This tragic episode led to more decisive actions: sections of the old path were destroyed to make them inaccessible and officially closed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, climbers and thrill-seekers ignored the threat of a 6000-euro fine, as the reputation of the illegal “Path of Death” \u2013 as Caminito del Rey came to be called during that time \u2013 attracted them with a terrifying allure. There are no official figures on those who suffered on Caminito, but unofficial data suggests it claimed at least ten lives in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the situation on Caminito del Rey is completely different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reopening of Caminito del Rey in 2015<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The renovation of the modern Caminito del Rey took three years and cost 9 million euros. The suspended walkways, bolted to the rock, have been widened, made of wood, and equipped with steel railings and handrails to prevent falls. The route has controlled access from both sides, staff with first aid kits at certain points, and defibrillators along the path. Guided tours are conducted here, and helmets are mandatory to protect tourists from falling rocks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might be a little disappointed to learn that Caminito is no longer as risky and terrifying an experience as it once was. After all, this is what made it so famous and accessible to any tourist over the past 20 years. And in my opinion, that\u2019s great \u2013 everyone has the opportunity to see this beauty safely. And for that, you don\u2019t have to climb into a dangerous gorge trap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tickets for Caminito del Rey<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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El Caminito del Rey<\/strong> is a very popular trail (thanks to social media) \u2013 so you need to buy tickets in advance. The number of people allowed on the trail is limited to ensure safe movement without crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The maximum is about 1,100 visitors per day, who are allocated into different time slots. Additionally, tour companies buy tickets in bulk and offer guided tours. Often, the cheapest tickets, which allow entry without a guide, sell out months in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes, during off-peak hours (early in the morning or after 4:00 PM), there are free tickets available at the ticket office near the entrance to Caminito. However, this is unpredictable, so you shouldn\u2019t rely on it. You might miss out on this route. Buy your tickets in advance when planning a trip to Andalusia. Or consider organized tours \u2013 many depart from M\u00e1laga and other Andalusian cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of tickets on the Caminito del Rey website:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Standard entry tickets<\/strong> \u2013 cost 10 euros per person<\/strong>, and you can purchase up to 10 tickets at a time for a specific available time slot. This ticket type allows you to walk Caminito at your own pace, with a set start time but no fixed end time for the route.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excursion Tickets<\/strong> – cost 18 euros<\/strong> per person, also sold for specific time slots. You must join a group with an official guide of Caminito del Rey, and groups can include up to 30 people. This means you must complete Caminito on a stricter schedule, usually about two hours. During the walk, the guide provides commentary on the history of the trail, flora and fauna, as well as some anecdotes. Essentially, nothing particularly interesting to rush after the guide and hang on every word.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Note<\/strong>: If you didn’t get tickets for 10 euros, this does not mean that by purchasing an 18-euro ticket, you must go with a group. We walked the trail independently with excursion tickets, without guides. It was more interesting for us, and information about the route can be read on the official website of the trail.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Tickets go on sale three months before the visit date<\/strong>. The highest demand is on weekends and during peak tourist season (i.e., Easter and July-August, although it is extremely hot at this time). I bought tickets in July for the end of September. Tickets for 10 euros were already sold out! I had to buy them for 18 euros and complete the route independently, but at almost twice the price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to Buy Tickets for Caminito del Rey?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So, if you are just planning this route – buy tickets for Caminito del Rey in advance. There are several options for where to buy tickets:<\/p>\n\n\n\n