Do you want to book Caminito del Rey Tour from Fuengirola?
In that case, you’re at the right place!
Not only you will find local expert tips for the best tour company to book, but I will also include lots of practical insights that will make your trip much more enjoyable.
As I have visited the famous Caminito del Rey, and as a local resident in Fuengirola, I can share lots of local tips that will help you plan the most wonderful trip to this stunning natural attraction in the Malaga province.
No time to read the article?
I have included a link to my recommended local travel company below.
Their tour of Caminito del Rey has a pick-up in central Fuengirola and over 1700 reviews with a rating of 4.7 out of 5. Go ahead and click the button below to check availability and prices for your trip!
This path with spectacular views over the Guadalhorce River and El Chorro Gorge will be the highlight of your stay in Fuengirola.
Every year, millions of visitors head there to marvel at the incredible views and visit one of the most popular natural attractions in the province of Malaga.
Tips For Booking Caminito del Rey Tour from Fuengirola
If you’re planning to visit this stunning natural trail opened by King Alfonso XIII (hence the name King’s Little Pathway), there are many local companies offering this trip.
In this article, I have reviewed all the options available and linked the best tour for visiting Caminito del Rey below. This will save you a lot of time doing research on your own.
Here is a quick glance at the most frequent questions you might have before booking:
- the path is suitable even for those with no hiking experience
- normal trainers are fine to wear, you don’t need hiking shoes
- it is not physically demanding, it’s more of a pleasant walk
- the path is not suitable for wheelchair users
- kids under the age of 8 cannot enter
- there is a suspension bridge you need to cross
- if you have a fear of heights, you should be fine for most of the path, apart from a few elevated sections
- do not take large backpacks with you for this trip (backpacking size)
- do not bring selfie sticks
BEST CAMINITO DEL REY TOUR FROM FUENGIROLA
This full day excursion offers the best value for money and has the best rating of all of the tours available. Here are some of the highlights of this trip option:
- FREE cancellation up to 24 hours
- Full refund if you cancel 24 hours before the trip
- Reserve now and pay later option
- Pick-up point in Fuengirola city center
- Duration 6 – 8 hours (full-day tour)
- Tour with small groups
- English and Spanish-speaking guided hike
- Tickets to Caminito del Rey included in the price
- Check reviews from other travellers before booking
REVIEWS FROM OTHER TRAVELERS
‘The coach journey was efficient, we were the first to be picked up so we had many pickups during the next hour before starting our journey. The first stop on the outward journey was at Ardales for a welcome break and bite to eat. Caminito del Rey Guided Tour was an unforgettable experience.
The group on the walk was large with many stopping on the narrow walkways taking pictures. To keep up and listen to the guide we needed to be with this group.
If we did it again we would hold back from the main group so that we had our own space and could take in all the amazing views without stopping and bumping into people. Overall an amazing day.’
‘The day trip was really a unique experience! Just walk in between the rocks and looking at nature was breath taking. Do bring some water and a snack with you. The walk itself lasts for 2hrs approximately. I’d recommend this activity to all nature lovers who are not too afraid of the heights :)’
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THIS TOUR
This tour has a number of pick-up stops in Costa del Sol, including one in central Fuengirola, and the last pick-up location in Malaga. After you leave Malaga, the airconditioned bus will take you to the Northern access to Caminito del Rey, from where you will walk through a short tunnel with your guide until you reach the entrance point.
At the entrance, you will get a short safety briefing, pick up your helmets and follow your guide to the start of the trail.
On your way, enjoy breathtaking views, take photos, learn about the history of the trail, enjoy views of the Conde de Guadalhorce Dam, Chorro Reservoirs and stroll through the famous wooden boardwalks. The trail has an elevation between 300 to 400 meters above sea level, so amazing views are guaranteed (check out the photos below!)
As you walk, you might spot griffon vultures cruising over your head and a train passing by from the el Chorro railway station. The last part of the trail is a section with a suspension bridge – check my recommendations below if you have a fear of heights.
After the suspension bridge, you will encounter the only uphill climb up the stairs, which shouldn’t be too demanding for most people.
CAMINITO DEL REY TOUR FROM FUENGIROLA: HOW TO BOOK
Use the form below to check the availability of this tour for your selected dates, and choose the number of people travelling.
This tour does NOT include hotel pick-up, but the bus will pick you up from a meeting point in central Fuengirola, where they will also drop you off at the end of the tour. Once you confirm your booking details and pay for the tour, you will receive an email with detailed instructions for the pick up and other organisation tips for this trip.
This tour does not include free time on the trail, only a break in the town of Ardales ahead of the trail.
Unlike with a self-guided tour, you don’t need to use the shuttle bus and this tour will get you directly to the entrance of the trail.
The estimated time to walk the trail is between 1.5 to 2 hours.
CHOOSING YOUR TOUR OPERATOR
There are a number of local companies offering a day tour from Fuengirola or Costa del Sol to Caminito del Rey. Most of these have the same specks, and the same trip duration, the only difference comes from the rating of the tour guides they use, and the languages available.
When selecting the tour operator, you should pay attention to three main things:
- tickets to the pathway are included in the price
- check the reviews of other travellers
- check that the tour guide is available in English
The prices for these other trips are also roughly the same. In case my recommended tour from Fuengirola is sold out, here are some alternatives you can also check for this tour:
Expert Tips for Visiting Caminito Del Rey [2023]
Now you got your tour booked, what should you bring with you? How should you prepare and what to do to make the most out of your trip?
This section will answer all your questions.
WHAT TO BRING WITH YOU
If you’re ready to book your trip, there are just a few things you need to have with you:
- your booking confirmation
- water bottle
- comfortable shoes (no flip-flops or open-toe shoes)
- comfortable clothing
- camera or mobile phone for photos
- sun lotion & sunglasses
- safety helmets will be provided to you by the entrance
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
It’s super important to follow the safety instructions which will be provided to you at the start of the trail. These include:
- Stay on the path
- Children under the age of 8 are not allowed
- Do not throw any objects from the path
- Do not touch, pick or destroy any plants
- Smoking is forbidden
- For safety reasons, selfie sticks, umbrellas and sharp objects are not allowed
- No big backpacks are allowed (backpacking size), small standard size are fine
STARTING POINT
At the entrance of the Caminito del Rey, you will see a small booth where they store safety helmets.
Right next to it are toilets, I recommend using them before you set on the trail.
Next to the toilets, you will also find vending machines, in case you need to buy more water.
After safety instructions, you can set off following your guide. The whole path will take about 1.5 hours to 2 hours to walk, depending on the speed of your group.
FEAR OF HEIGHTS
If you have a fear of heights or don’t like high altitudes, and you think you might struggle with this tour, the good news is – it’s quite unlikely (although not impossible!).
I also have a fear of heights, and there were only a few spots on the pathway that made me feel a little uneasy, otherwise, I was surprised it was actually very manageable.
The hardest part is possibly crossing the suspension bridge which you will encounter closer to the end of the trail. The bridge is not that long, and there is a member of staff available in case you need help crossing it!
WEATHER CONDITIONS
Tour of el caminito del rey (king’s little pathway) is subject to good weather conditions, for obvious reasons.
In case of bad weather, they will notify everyone with tickets for the day that the trip is cancelled. Unfortunately, the only thing you can do in that case is to get a new entrance ticket, or book a new tour.
END OF THE WALK
After crossing the suspension bridge, you will get to the last part of the trail which is the only section with a steep climb on stairs, so pace yourself for that one.
Following that last section, you will reach the end fo the walk and then continue on foot until you reach the exit point.
You will get to the control cabin where you deposit the safety helmets. A short walk from there you will see the exit, where you will find a few stalls selling local products, like local wine, magnets, drinks and quick snacks.
You will have a few minutes spare for quick refreshment or shopping, before heading back to the bus.
FAQ: Caminito Del Rey Day Tour From Fuengirola
Here are some of the most frequent questions about taking a tour to Caminito del Rey from Fuengirola.
Can I visit Caminito del Rey on my own?
Yes, you can, althought its recommended to visit with an experienced tour guide. You can buy single tickets without a guide on the official website, these tend to sell out the fastest. Even though you can walk without a guide, there are a few sections of the trail with high risk of falling rocks, which the tour guide will be able to point out to you. With a tour guide, you will also get an extra assistance in case you have a fear of heights.
How long do you need at Caminito del Rey?
The hike through the path takes between 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on how fast you walk. There is no time limit in which you need to exit the path.
How much does it cost to walk the Caminito del Rey?
The basic ticket without a guide costs 10 euros, which includes the use of helmets that you will return on the exit.
Can you do the Caminito del Rey without a guide?
Yes, you can. You can buy individual Caminito del Rey tickets directly on the official website, and head to the entrance point on your own. They will allow you to enter during your dedicated time slot. It is highly recommended to take the Caminito del Rey trail with a guide as you will get much more out of it, and learn more about its history and importance.
What level of difficulty is Caminito del Rey?
The path has a length of 7.7 km (4.8 miles), and about 90% of it is a pleasant easy walk, so the difficulty level would be easy or moderate. There is only one section of the trail where you have to climb steep staircase after crossing a suspension bridge, but if you take your time to climb the stairs you won’t have any issues.
How do I prepare for Caminito del Rey?
You do not need to do any physical training as the path is not demanding at all. All you need is to have comfortable shoes and clothing on, sun protection and take water with you. Food is not allowed on the path, and selfie sticks, umbrellas and large backpacks are also forbidden.
Are there toilets in Caminito del Rey?
Yes, there are. There are toilets at the beginning of the trail next to the building where you pick up safety helments, and then you will find toilets also at the end of the trail. There are no toilet facilities en route.
What do you wear to Caminito del Rey?
You should wear comfortable clothing and especially comfortable shoes. You do not need special hiking shoes, normal trainers will be fine. No flip flops or shoes with open toes. High heels are obviously not recommended.
Is Caminito del Rey worth visiting?
It certainly is! It will be one of the highlights of your stay on Costa del Sol, and the views and pictures will be a wonderful memory to look back on!
What time does Caminito del Rey open?
The path opens at 9.30 am and the last entrance time is around 4pm.
Is Caminito del Rey safe?
Caminito del Rey was once declared the most dangerous path, however, that’s not longer true. It has been completely refurbished and a new path has been laid over the old crumbling one. There have been no serious safety incidents since then.
Final Thoughts
I hope this article answered all the questions you might have had about booking a Caminito del Rey tour from Fuengirola.
If there is something specific you wanted to know, which wasn’t covered here, feel free to leave a comment below and I will be happy to answer.
Other Day Trips from Fuengirola You Might Like
Here are some of the most popular day trip options from Fuengirola, all of these include instructions for driving by car, and using public transport, but also options for using local tour companies for a hassle-free trip.
Fuengirola to Seville Day Trip: Best Travel Tips [2023]
Day Trips From Fuengirola to Granada: Expert Tips [2023]
Day Trip To Ronda From Fuengirola: Tickets & Tips [2023]
Fuengirola Gibraltar Day Trips: Best Travel Tips [2023]
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – if you decide to book using one of the links, I will earn a small commission that helps me run this site. This is at no extra cost to you.
