Once Spain's most dangerous walkway, now one of its most thrilling. Here's why autumn is the perfect time to walk the Caminito del Rey, and how to do it from the coast.
There's a moment on the Caminito del Rey — clipped to a boardwalk pinned to a sheer cliff, a hundred metres above the river, the gorge narrowing to a slot of sky above you — when you understand why this walk is one of Málaga province's great days out. And if you're visiting the coast in the coming weeks, you're in luck: autumn is the best season to do it. Here's everything you need to plan a trip.
Why autumn beats summer here
The Caminito runs inland through the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, north of the coast, where summer temperatures can be punishing on an exposed cliff path. Come September to November, though, the numbers are perfect — typically 15°C to 25°C, sunny but no longer scorching, with far less risk of the midday heat that makes a summer walk hard work. The light is beautiful, the crowds thin from their August peak, and the roughly 2.5 to 3 hours on the path (including the safety briefing) become a pleasure rather than an endurance test.
Tickets: book ahead
This is the one non-negotiable — you cannot just turn up. Entry is by timed slot and daily capacity is limited, so the popular autumn weekends sell out well in advance. Tickets for visits through to early December 2026 went on sale back in April, so if you're reading this with a date in mind, book now rather than later.
A few practicalities worth knowing:
- A standard ticket costs around €10 per person; guided tours with transport from Málaga or the coast run roughly €25-€55 depending on what's included.
- The walkway is open Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays and some public holidays for maintenance).
- It's a one-way, linear route — a shuttle bus links the two ends, so plan the logistics before you set off.
- Wear proper trainers or walking shoes, bring water and a hat, and note that it's not suitable for very young children or anyone who really can't manage heights (though the path itself is wide, railed and very safe).
Building a day around it from the coast
The Caminito sits about an hour to an hour and a quarter's drive inland from the Fuengirola–Marbella stretch, near the village of El Chorro and the Guadalhorce lakes. It makes a brilliant full-day escape from the beach: pair the walk with lunch at one of the ventas near El Chorro, and if you've time, the turquoise reservoirs nearby are lovely for an afternoon. It's the perfect antidote to a pure sun-and-sand holiday, and a reminder that Málaga province is as much mountains and gorges as it is coastline.
If you're the sort of traveller who likes to mix beach days with proper days out, our round-up of places to visit around Málaga has more ideas in the same spirit, and September's gentle weather makes all of them more enjoyable — as we cover in our guide to the Costa del Sol in September.
Where to base yourself
Most visitors walk the Caminito as a day trip from a coastal base rather than staying inland, which keeps you close to the beach for the rest of your holiday. A licensed apartment along the coast between Málaga and Marbella puts you within easy driving range of El Chorro while giving you the sea on your doorstep.
Tell us your dates and we'll help you find a comfortable base for a trip that mixes coast and countryside — start with our rental search, book your Caminito slot early, and get ready for one of the most memorable walks in Spain.
The GR Estates Team
The best experiences on the Costa del Sol
Written with AI assistance and reviewed by the GR Estates team before publication. AI transparency
