The History of Caminito del Rey

One of the most popular attractions in the province of Málaga is the world-famous Caminito del Rey. If you love hiking, your trip to Andalusia is not complete without experiencing this spectacular walking trail.

The Caminito del Rey, also known as the “King’s Pathway,” owes its name to King Alfonso XIII, during whose reign the Conde del Guadalhorce Dam was constructed. Although the dam was officially inaugurated in 1921, the original walkway had already been built in 1905. It was created to help workers transport tools and materials between the hydroelectric power plants located on both sides of the gorge.

Is Hiking the Caminito del Rey Dangerous?

In the past, the King’s Path was considered one of the most dangerous hikes in the world. Over the years, the trail had fallen into disrepair, and parts of the metal structure attached to the steep cliff walls had deteriorated. Sadly, several fatal climbing accidents occurred.

Today, however, the Caminito del Rey is completely restored and safe to visit — while still offering an unforgettable adrenaline rush. The route stretches for 7.5 kilometers through the breathtaking Desfiladero de los Gaitanes gorge, which is only 10 meters wide in some places and reaches depths of up to 700 meters.

The gorge was carved out over thousands of years by the Guadalhorce River. The river first flows through the turquoise lakes of Ardales before winding its way for 5 kilometers through the dramatic El Chorro gorge.

What Does the Caminito del Rey Look Like Today?

In 2014, a major restoration project began. A completely new wooden walkway was attached to the cliff face, built safely above the original deteriorated path. Expert climbers were brought in for the renovation works, while helicopters transported the construction materials through the gorge.

Since 2015, visitors have once again been able to hike the Caminito del Rey and enjoy its spectacular views. In 2017, a 300-meter tunnel opened near the suspension bridge section. This tunnel follows the route of the underground canal all the way to the aqueduct crossing the gorge.

If weather conditions are too poor to safely cross the famous hanging bridge, visitors can instead use the tunnel and aqueduct route to reach the other side.

Practical Information for Visiting Caminito del Rey

The Caminito del Rey is one of the top tourist attractions in Andalusia, so it can get quite busy. Individual tickets cost around €10 and include the mandatory safety helmet. Guided tours are available from €18.

We strongly recommend booking your tickets in advance.

Good to Know Before You Go

• The hike starts at the northern entrance near Ardales and ends at the southern entrance in El Chorro
• Shuttle buses are available to take you back to the starting point for a small fee (no reservation required).
• During summer, the trail is usually open from 10 AM to 5 PM.
• The average hiking time is approximately 2.5 hours at a relaxed pace.
• There are no food or drink facilities along the route.
• Toilets are not available during the hike.
• Proper hiking shoes are highly recommended.

Where to Eat After Hiking Caminito del Rey

After completing the Caminito del Rey hike, head to La Garganta, a charming hotel and restaurant in El Chorro with stunning views over the gorge. Another option is El Mirador in Ardales, famous for its panoramic views of the beautiful blue lakes.

Staying Nearby

From B&B Casa Valle de Oro, it takes approximately one hour by car to reach the Caminito del Rey starting point in Ardales.

Prefer not to arrange tickets yourself? Your hosts, Tatienne and Joost, will gladly organize everything for you. Upon request, they can even prepare a healthy picnic for your hiking adventure.

With Casa Valle de Oro, we are fulfilling a lifelong dream. We had long dreamed of trading the hectic life in dreary Belgium for a place in the nature of Andalusia.

Travel has always played a major role in our lives. As a child, I already fantasized about moving abroad. The adventurous spirit is probably in my genes; my parents emigrated to South Africa for about three years when I was one, and at 15 we moved to Sri Lanka, where I went to school in Colombo. Afterwards, I went on holiday there several times with Joost, and it always felt like coming home.

Joost crossed the border from the Netherlands with his parents when he was thirteen and, as a reserve Belgian, integrated quickly ;-).

We have always loved to travel, and as soon as we moved in together in 1990, we set out with our backpacks to see a little bit of the world.

But alongside traveling, we started dreaming of actually moving abroad. Joost always said: “I’ll go to the ends of the earth with you, but we do need a plan.” And so the idea to start a B&B took shape. Because we love pampering people and cooking delicious meals.

Various Asian locations, including Sri Lanka of course, appealed to us, but ultimately, for various reasons, we decided to look closer to Belgium. The condition, however, was: more sun! And actually, it was only natural that we would end up here. We had already visited Andalusia several times and we both already spoke a little Spanish.

And so we began our search, which lasted a year and eventually led us to our Golden Valley, which met most of our requirements. A special place in the nature of Andalusia where we immediately felt that this had to become our new home.

In 2013, Joost quit his job as an educator in a time-out project, and after 20 years, I closed the doors of my shop (silver jewelry and Asian trinkets) and piercing studio. During the summer months, we were at festivals applying henna tattoos. We did our jobs with great passion, but it was time for something different.

And to this day, we still don't regret it!

Our B&B reflects who we are. During our travels, we collected lamps, tapestries, statues, and decorations from various cultures. Many of these souvenirs were given a beautiful place in Casa Valle de Oro and today create the warm, personal atmosphere that guests love so much.

We always enjoyed cooking; we regularly had friends over, whom we would serve multiple dishes and try out our culinary experiments on. Over the years, we have gained more experience in the culinary world and try to spoil our guests with the most diverse creations. We try to use organic products as much as possible and make everything ourselves. "Tasty, healthy, and fusion" are therefore keywords of our kitchen.

As for our hobbies; In addition to African dance, I also took all kinds of classes and workshops on various percussion instruments. I also tried to persuade Joost to take tango and salsa lessons together, but he preferred individual dance steps, which was perhaps a safer solution for both of us. We also did Bodybalance for a long time, and this is where Joost got a taste for delving into yoga. Eventually, he completed training to become a Hatha Yoga teacher, and the yoga mats are regularly rolled out here for our guests who are also seeking relaxation and balance during their holiday in Andalusia.

We both find it important to contribute to our society, which is why Joost now volunteers to teach yoga classes in a prison every week.
In addition to running the shop, I also volunteered to teach Dutch to migrants for a while, and in our village, I am now committed to a local shelter for stray dogs.

What do we love most about our life here in Spain? That we get to welcome people every day to a place where peace, nature, good food, and personal attention come together. To us, Casa Valle de Oro is much more than a bed and breakfast — it is a dream that became reality and that we love to share with our guests.

Would you like to experience the atmosphere of Casa Valle de Oro yourself? Then we would love to welcome you to our B&B in sunny Andalusia.