Parking at Caminito del Rey - Complete 2026 Guide
Where to park at both entrances, what the shuttle bus costs, and the local trick that saves you 30 minutes on busy days.
Caminito del Rey is a 7.7 km one-way walk: you start at one entrance and finish at the other. That makes parking less obvious than at most attractions - but once you understand the layout, it's simple.
The two entrances explained
The trail runs from north (Ardales side) to south (El Chorro side). Officially the walk is one-way north-to-south. There is a shuttle bus that runs between the two entrances all day, so you can leave your car at either end and pick it up after.
North entrance - Ardales (recommended)
The vast majority of visitors start here. The main parking is at the Restaurante El Kiosko / Embalse del Conde lay-by on the MA-5403 road, about a 1.5 km walk from the official trail start. Parking is free and there are usually spaces even on busy weekends if you arrive before 10am.
- Free unpaved parking at the El Kiosko lay-by
- 1.5 km flat walk from the lay-by to the official entrance
- Toilets and a small café at the entrance itself
- Buy snacks and water in Ardales village (10 min) - there's nothing once you start
South entrance - El Chorro
If you choose to do the walk in reverse, take the shuttle bus to the north entrance first. The shuttle has three stops: Visitor Centre, El Kiosko and El Mirador. Park at El Mirador (the third stop) — there is a single paid car park there for €2 per day.
The shuttle bus
After you finish the walk in El Chorro, a shuttle bus runs back to the north entrance every 30 minutes, stopping at El Kiosko and El Mirador on the way. It takes around 25 minutes — much faster than walking back. Tickets are €2.50 per person and you buy them at the small ticket kiosk next to the shuttle stop (card or cash) — not from the driver. The last bus is usually around 6pm in summer and 4pm in winter; check the timetable on the day.
Arriving without a car
The Cercanías C2 train from Málaga María Zambrano stops at El Chorro–Caminito del Rey station, about 40 minutes from Málaga. From the station, take the shuttle bus to the north entrance and walk back. The train is the simplest no-car option, but only runs every 2 hours - plan your day around it.
Where to stay so you don't need to drive at all
Several of our properties in El Chorro and Álora put you within walking distance of the trail or the train station. Picking the right base saves you the entire parking puzzle.
FAQ
- Is parking at Caminito del Rey free?
- Yes - the main lay-by parking at the north (Ardales) entrance is free. There is a single paid car park at El Mirador (€2 per day).
- How much does the Caminito shuttle bus cost?
- €2.50 per person, bought at a small ticket kiosk next to the shuttle stop (card or cash) — not paid to the driver. The shuttle bus runs every 30 minutes with three stops: Visitor Centre, El Kiosko and El Mirador.
- Can I park at the actual entrance to the Caminito?
- No private parking is allowed at the official north entrance. The closest legal parking is the lay-by 1.5 km before it on the MA-5403 road.
