At last, we made it! We had long yearned to visit the world-renowned Caminito del Rey paths, also known as the King’s Little Pathway. Unfortunately, the walkway had fallen into disrepair and remained partially closed for over a decade.
After four years of extensive repairs and renovations, the walkway reopened in 2015. It had gained notoriety in the past as the "world's most dangerous walkway," following five tragic deaths in 1999 and 2000.
Once it was back in operation, we eagerly sought out tickets, which proved to be quite a challenge. The website released only a limited number of tickets each day, and they typically sold out in a mere 10-15 minutes. If luck was on your side, you could secure some. The tickets themselves were free. It took us approximately a month of constant monitoring of their website before we finally managed to secure our tickets.
Another option was to book a high-end hotel in a nearby city and have their reservation team obtain tickets for you. Caminito del Rey allocated additional tickets to these hotels, but this option necessitated substantial communication.
The journey began when we flew into Malaga, the nearest airport, and embarked on a drive to Ardales. The excitement began even before we reached the paths themselves. Given the city's small size, all the hotels were fully booked, so we spent the night in the car under the starry sky. It might not have been the most comfortable night, to be honest, but it was an experience to remember.
The following morning, we headed straight for the trails. Your ticket has a specified time, so punctuality is essential.
The total length of the route is 7.7km, comprising 4.8km of access ways and 2.9km of boardwalks. On average, completing the route takes about 3 to 5 hours. However, for us, it would have been a two-hour journey, but our frequent stops to capture videos and photographs extended the duration to double that.
The path is strictly one-way, so if you park your car at the entrance, a bus at the end will provide transportation back.
Absolutely no special equipment is required, except for the helmets, which are provided free of charge. You don't need to be an athlete either; the route is straightforward and suitable for all ages - kids, youth, adults, and even elderly individuals. The one crucial requirement is that you must be comfortable with heights because some sections are genuinely precarious. At one point, you might be strolling on a wide, seemingly safe path, and then suddenly, you'll find yourself on a narrow bridge swaying in the wind, with a transparent floor and a vast chasm beneath your feet.
But the views are simply breathtaking.
All in all, I can confidently say that this trip is well worth the effort. I've been fortunate to visit numerous destinations around the world, from Hawaii to the Grand Canyon in the USA, and even embarked on expeditions across Iceland. Nonetheless, the experience at Caminito del Rey left me profoundly impressed and exhilarated.
If you have the opportunity, do make plans to visit this astonishing location. We combined our journey with visits to Marbella, Seville, and Gibraltar, and it made for an incredible four days exploring the Costa Del Sol.
