
moderate
8 hours (full day)
Suitable for those with reasonable walking fitness — some stairs and sustained exposed sections; not technical.
Suspend yourself above a roaring river and walk the restored Caminito del Rey on a private full-day trip from Malaga. This guided excursion pairs cliffside boardwalks and canyon history with a chance to cool off in the Embalse del Conde de Guadalhorce.
Morning light slices the narrow walls of the Gaitanes Gorge and the boardwalk hums underfoot as the group moves west from the village of El Chorro. On a private day trip from Malaga, the trail announces itself not with fanfare but with the steady clack of boots and the river far below, daring you to look down. The path pins you to the cliff face for nearly three kilometers of suspended walkway, where limestone walls rise like an old city and the Guadalhorce reservoir waits like a cool answer at the route’s end.

Caminito limits daily entries—reserve the private tour and walkway ticket at least several weeks ahead, especially in spring and autumn.
Use closed-toe hiking or trail shoes with good grip—boardwalk and metal stairs can be slick if damp.
Carry 1.5–2L water and sunscreen; summer midday sun is intense on exposed cliffs.
Follow guide instructions, stay behind barriers and avoid stopping in narrow sections to keep traffic moving.
The walkway was originally built in the early 20th century to give workers access to the Conde de Guadalhorce Dam and later restored and modernized in 2015 to ensure visitor safety.
Access is controlled to limit erosion and protect cliffside vegetation; visitors should stick to paths and pack out waste to minimize impact.
Grip and ankle support for boardwalks, uneven approach trails, and metal stairs.
The route is exposed; a hat and sunscreen prevent sunburn and heat fatigue.
summer specific
Protects against canyon gusts and cooler morning temperatures.
spring specific
Hydration through the day, refillable before or after the walkway.