The Caminito del Rey through the Gaitanes gorge

A shuttle from the Visitors' Reception Centre at Puerto de las Atalayas takes visitors to a stop near the El Kiosko restaurant, where this walk starts. An access path leads to the northern control booth at the old Gaitanejo power station, where tickets are checked and helmets are lent. The boardwalk then runs through the Gaitanes gorge, with a glass-floored balcony, and a trail goes down to El Chorro, where the helmet is returned. The Caminito del Rey's official booking site describes the route as one way, from north to south.

It is 6.7 km with 82 m of ascent and 205 m of descent by our count, using the shorter of the two access paths. The site gives the route as 8 km and 3 to 4 hours, and in its FAQ as 7.7 km, of which 4.9 km are access paths and 2.9 km lie between the two walkway gates (its rules page counts 1,550 m of walkways and 1,405 m of trails in that stretch); its rules page gives the stretch through the walkways and the Valle del Hoyo as about 150 minutes (older pages say 1½ to 2 hours). Our 2 hours is walking time by formula; the site gives 3 to 4 hours for the whole visit, and its rules page puts the walkway section alone at about 150 minutes, so allow 3 to 4 hours. The site's protection page (undated) describes a second suspension bridge in the final stretch that would link the Pared de los Venenos with the lower part by the reservoir and take out about 114 m of uphill path; it does not say whether it is open. Our line follows OpenStreetMap and may not match the exit, and the ascent may differ. The site says the walk is not recommended for people with vertigo or with heart or lung problems.

Entry is only with a ticket booked in advance for a time slot. Groups go in every 10 minutes, and visitors must be at the gate 30 minutes before their slot. The site is open Tuesday to Sunday, except 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January, and its rules close it on Mondays (the FAQ says some special Mondays are opened). Children under 8 are not admitted, flip-flops and heels are banned, and large backpacks and bags, drones, smoking, fire and animals are not allowed. Management may close the walkway on days of rain or strong wind or for repair works.

The Visitors' Reception Centre has parking at 2 euros a day and the shuttle costs 2.50 euros a person, not included in the ticket, according to the site. The shuttle's hours differ between the site's pages, so check them before you go.

Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.