Caminito del Rey Hike from Seville — Day Trip Through El Chorro’s Gorges

Ardales•moderate

Difficulty

moderate

Duration

10–12 hours (full day) with 2–3 hours on the boardwalk

Fitness Level

Comfortable walking fitness; steady on your feet and able to manage stairs and narrow exposed paths

Overview

Cling to the steel boardwalk, feel wind through the gorge, and trace a century of railway and hydroelectric history on the Caminito del Rey. This day trip from Seville delivers raw geology, dramatic viewpoints, and practical logistics for the modern hiker.

Caminito del Rey Hike from Seville — Day Trip Through El Chorro’s Gorges

Bus Tour

Wildlife

Walking Tour

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The first steps onto the Caminito del Rey feel deliberately small: a narrow boardwalk clinging to limestone, a few planks and a steel railing between you and the gorge that drops in a clean, vertical wall to the river below. Wind threads through the ravine and carries the cry of a griffon vulture as it wheels above the canyon. If you close your eyes for a second you can almost hear the old railway — the original lifeline that stitched inland Andalucía to Málaga — and imagine workers walking this ledge a century ago.

Adventure Photos

Caminito del Rey Hike from Seville — Day Trip Through El Chorro’s Gorges photo 1

Adventure Tips

Buy timed tickets in advance

The Caminito runs with strict entry times and limited capacity; your tour includes tickets but double-check the slot to avoid waiting.

Wear grippy hiking shoes

The path is mostly metal and wooden planks with some exposed rock approaches; solid soles reduce slipping risk.

Hydrate and snack before you go

There are no shops along the walkway — carry at least 1–1.5 liters of water and a compact snack for energy.

Avoid selfie sticks and tripods

These items are prohibited for safety and to prevent bottlenecks on narrow sections; use a small hand-held camera instead.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Griffon vulture
Iberian ibex or mountain goat sightings on the cliffs

History

The walkway was built alongside an early 20th-century hydroelectric railway and gained fame after King Alfonso XIII crossed it; it was renovated and reopened to the public in 2015.

Conservation

Access is strictly timed to limit wear on the gorge; visitors must stay on the path, avoid smoking, and carry out any waste to protect the fragile limestone habitat.