Our most recommended things to do in Ardales

From Costa del Sol & Málaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour

1. From Costa del Sol & Málaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour

Prepare for a day of adventure as you walk the Caminito del Rey along the walls of the El Chorro gorge in Málaga. Follow a guide on a safe trail leading to the footbridge that runs through the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes. Begin your day with a pickup from one of the many spots in Málaga and travel to Ardales. You will make a short stop in Ardales, a white village, so you can purchase breakfast in a this local area before to start the activity. Return to the bus and continue until you reach the northern access point of the Caminito del Rey. Walk through a small long tunnel to reach the natural paths that lead to the entrance checkpoint of the gorges. Then, receive a helmet and listen to the safety instructions. Learn what to expect during the trek and the guide will accompany you at the end of the group to answer your questions along the way while you enjoy the experience. Pass by the Gorge of the Gaitanes, a natural pass across the hills that separates the Malaga coastline from the islands with the River Guadalhorce flowing at the bottom. Embark on a safe and comfortable walk surrounded by breathtaking scenery. El Caminito del Rey, after many years of total abandonment, is now a rebuilt path that stretches between 2 gorges and a large valley. After finishing the downhill trail from north to south, reach the exit point where your bus awaits. Once the group is on board the bus, return to Costa del Sol and be dropped off at your pickup point.

Caminito del Rey: Tour With Official Guide and Drink

2. Caminito del Rey: Tour With Official Guide and Drink

Walk the Caminito del Rey, a suspended walkway that offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Built 100 years ago, learn the history of this scenic path and the canyons from your guide. Hike along a path that hugs the cliff face and offers epic views of the Malaga province. Trek high above the vertical canyons formed by the power of the Guadalhorce River. Admire the crystal clear water of the gorge cascading beneath you. Discover tunnels carved into the sheer rock. Learn about the history of this engineering marvel from your knowledgeable guide. Hear the stories of the adventures and climbers who helped build the path, as well as the path’s connection to King Alfonso XIII. Visit starts at north access and finishes at south access, there is a shuttle bus that likns both accessea. You may park at either access but please bear in mind if you park at south access need to be there at least one hour before the meeting point time at north access Shutle bus runs every 30 minutes (00 and 30 minutes past) and takes about 25 minutes from south access to north access where our meeting point is At the end/beggining of the visit you will need to take a shutlle bus that you pay directly to the bus driver (2,55€)

Costa del Sol and Malaga: Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

3. Costa del Sol and Malaga: Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

After leaving the Costa del Sol and Malaga, continue along a scenic route with local vegetation such as orange trees, olive trees, and cork oak and the white village of Ardales and Cuevas del Becerro. Arrive at Setenil de las Bodegas, one of the most beautiful and original white villages in the province of Cádiz. Take advantage of your free time to enjoy this peculiar town. Visit the houses embedded under the rocks of the precipice and sit down for a coffee. In Ronda, arrive at the bus station before continuing on foot and enjoy a guided tour of the main sights. A walking tour in the romantic town center with its churches, mini-palaces, and Spain's oldest bullring, offers plenty to uncover. Enjoy the incredible views of the Puente Nuevo, which crosses the “Tajo” (the Cut) on the Guadalevin river where you'll taste a local Ronda wine on a terrace with an exclusive view of the Tagus Bridge. The Palacio Mondragón, also known as Palacio del Marqués de Villasierra, is, without doubt, an interesting visit, being a landlord Palais with Arabic gardens, but it is also the Archeologic Museum of Ronda, with interesting pieces proving the antiqueness of the city. Enjoy your free time to explore the city at your own pace.

From Seville: Caminito del Rey Full-Day Hike

4. From Seville: Caminito del Rey Full-Day Hike

Take a guided day trip from Seville to the Caminito del Rey with entry tickets included. Walk through the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes gorge and hike along the suspended footbridge and cliffside pathway, suspended about 328 feet (100 meters) above El Chorro Gorge. Depart Seville in the morning and take a 2-hour drive by minivan to the start of the famous El Caminito del Rey walking trail. Upon arrival in the town of Ardales, enjoy a coffee or breakfast at your own expense to give you energy for your 7-kilometer hike. Step onto the renovated walkway of wooden boardwalks and make your way through the magnificent Los Gaitanes Gorge. Marvel at the rugged rock formations surrounding you and take in the spectacular views of the Guadalhorce River. Summon up the courage to cross the new suspension bridge 100 meters above the El Chorro Gorge. End close to the town of El Chorro after about 2 to 3 hours of walking, and catch the bus back to the entry point to enjoy lunch at a restaurant. Journey back to Seville in the evening for the end of the tour services.

From Marbella & Fuengirola: Caminito del Rey Guided Day Trip

5. From Marbella & Fuengirola: Caminito del Rey Guided Day Trip

During the bus tour you will enjoy the journey from Fuengirola, La Cala de Mijas, Calahonda, Marbella, Ojén and Coín to Ardales, to continue to the northern access to the Caminito del Rey, where the tour will begin. This excursion to the Caminito del Rey is the easiest and most comfortable way to visit this peculiar enclave, whose works began in 1901 and finished in 1905. It was built under the prism of the economic growth and is considered a miracle of engineering. Nextto the guide, a passionate about the history of this incredible place, you will learn about the history and secrets of the environment, as well as the reasons that led to the construction of the walkways between the Gaitanes and Gaitanejo gorgesmaking a total of 7.7 kilometres length that he travelled and inaugurated in 1925. King Alfonso XIII. For approximately 4 hours you will walk for about 4.8 kilometres approximately from the northern access located in Ardales, you will cross tunnels, but be careful with your head! Enjoying the Guadalhorce river dam, you will descend the famous "chocolate ladder".with the charm of the characteristic Mediterranean vegetation. Don't forget to take a photo from the transparent viewpoint where you will leave vertigo behind, standing on a platform to see under your feet the wonder of this emblematic natural site at a height of more than 100 metres, and in this way, you will be able to enter into the gorges to the southern access at the Chorro Reservoir, by the pedestrian walkways almost 3 kilometres long and 1 metre wide. After finishing this incredible experience from the heights, up to 105 metres, of the suspension bridge in the canyon of the Gaitanes Gorgereturn the helmets and arrive at the southern access at El Chorro, where you will find the bus to return to the starting point at Marbella, Ojén, Coín or La Cala de Mijas or Fuengirola.

Costa del Sol: Caminito del Rey Guided Trip with Breakfast

6. Costa del Sol: Caminito del Rey Guided Trip with Breakfast

Discover the Caminito del Rey on this guided day trip from Costa del Sol. Hike along footbridges and trails as you learn about the interesting history of the path. Meet your guide and begin your tour at the Conde del Guadalhorce Dam. Take an easy and safe route by bus along nearly 8 kilometers of footbridges and trails. Enjoy breakfast to start your day of adventuring. Follow your guide from the town of Ardales to the town of Álora. Learn about the history of the path and its inauguration by King Alfonso XIII in 1905. Find out why it was declared one of the most dangerous trails in the world when it was built, and why now after its renovation, it's safe. Enjoy an adrenaline rush as you cross the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes, a narrow footbridge anchored to the rock and suspended in the air. Be thrilled at the end as you cross the suspension bridge, more than 100 meters high. Next, enjoy about 1 hour of free time in Ardales to explore and visit the Pueblo Blanco. After exploring, meet your bus and head back to your pick-up location.

From Marbella or Estepona: Caminito del Rey Guided Day Trip

7. From Marbella or Estepona: Caminito del Rey Guided Day Trip

Enjoy a visit to a unique place located in the interior of the province of Malaga, from the heights you can enjoy a unique landscape offered by the famous Gaitanes Gorge.  Itinerary of the excursion Pick up by bus at the booked time. During the trip to the Caminito del Rey we will explain the plan of the day and the villages that you will see from the bus. There will be a stop in the area to have breakfast (not included in the excursion). After this stop you will head to the entrance of the Caminito del Rey, where an accredited guide will accompany you along a 3 km path and then you will go to the walkway from the heights. At the end of the Caminito del Rey excursion, you will go by bus to Álora or Ardales, depending on the plan of the day, both typical white villages in the interior of Málaga, where you can enjoy some free time (you can take advantage of the opportunity to have lunch). After the visit, the group will meet where the guide has arranged for the return to the Costa del Sol.

Ardales: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour With Tickets

8. Ardales: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour With Tickets

Venture along the Caminito del Rey with a guide and experience a 7.7km trek along the Guadalhorce River. Learn how the path was built, curious facts and anecdotes, and the history of the Desfildadero de los Gaitanes. End the day in El Chorro with the option to shuttle back to Ardales. Cross footbridges and trails between the towns of Ardales and Alora. This one-way path takes you from Adales all the way to El Chorro, promising views of the winding river and thrills from walking a hanging path over the gorge. Take it all in and listen to stories and facts about the path, said to be the most beautiful in Spain. Decide to stay in El Chorro or opt for the shuttle home at an extra cost.

Ardales: Caminito del Rey & El Gaitanejo Guided Walking Tour

9. Ardales: Caminito del Rey & El Gaitanejo Guided Walking Tour

Start the tour at the Kiosko restaurant. Don’t forget your helmet before setting off. On the way to the Caminito’s entry, listen to the guide’s history of the pathway and the area’s geology. Catch a glimpse of the dam that created the nearby reservoir.  At the entrance to the El Gaitanejo canyon, gear up for the boardwalk. Make sure your helmet fits properly before going any further. Listen to your guide about the Caminito’s significance and the efforts to rebuild it. Stay close to the walls of the canyon. The new boardwalk offers a safer route than before, but is still only 3 feet (1 meter) wide. Think about the engineering it took to keep it steady. Your guide will fill you in on the details. Catch a glimpse of the King’s Bridge while making your way through El Gaitainejo. Listen to the history of the dams and how they led to the Caminito’s construction. Stop at viewpoints to admire the sheer drop of the cliffs to the river below. At the end of the Caminito del Rey, drop off your helmet with the guide in El Chorro. Take some time to relax and find a snack or drink after the walk. There are shops in town, too, that carry souvenirs. See if one looks right to commemorate your adventure. Be sure to catch the bus back to the Kiosko if you don’t want to walk the Caminito again. 

Caminito del Rey: Trekking Tour with Hiking Guide

10. Caminito del Rey: Trekking Tour with Hiking Guide

Join a hike along the Caminito del Rey, a one-direction walkway that starts in Ardales and ends at Álora. Follow your guide as they tell you the history of the walkway and Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes Canyon. Walk across the famous footbridge and admire breathtaking landscapes. This walking tour begins at Conde de Guadalhorce Dam, a water reserve in Malaga. As you hike, learn about the history of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Canyon, carved by the Guadalhorce River, from your guide. See how the construction of a water channel from the reservoirs in the north to El Chorro included building a pathway for maintaining the channel. The path is known as El Caminito del Rey (King's Little Pathway), inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII. Encounter a footbridge over 3 kilometers long, built on the walls of the Gaitanes Gorge (Desfiladero de los Gaitanes). Experience beautiful natural spots in the province. During some stretches, the route reaches heights of up to 101 meters. Although the best-known stretch of the route is the footbridge, the total journey of the Caminito del Rey is 7.7 kilometers (4.8 miles).

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What people are saying about Ardales

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 8,523 reviews

The sights and overall tour was very exciting and unique. Our guide in caminito del rey, Carlos, was fantastic and made the whole experience for us. He was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, answering all sorts of questions. Of course you can visit caminito del rey on your own, but the connivence of the round trip transportation and fantastic guide made this well worth the money.

Wow what a fantastic day at the Camino Del Ray! Absolute perfection with exact pickup times, expert guide through the gorge and knowledgeable guide on the coach on our journey to the gorge. Will definitely use this company again, thanks for a wonderful day.

Amazing experience, very well planned and the guide Ana Antón is just the best. She is very sweet and knowledgeable. I totally recommend this experience.

Fantastic walk. I was disappointed that a portion of the walk was closed due to high winds. We plan to do the walk again some day.

Don't miss this! Unique experience of walking above canyon 100 meters above ground. Beautiful nature.