El Chorro Train Station

El Chorro station, which Renfe and the Caminito's official website call El Chorro - Caminito del Rey, is in the El Chorro hamlet, in the municipality of Álora. It is the only way to reach the Caminito without a car or an organised tour, and it has a quirk worth understanding before you buy your ticket: the train drops you at the end of the walk, not the start.

Trains and times

The Caminito's official website says that Renfe has daily regional trains that stop at El Chorro, and asks you to check times, prices and stops on renfe.com before travelling. From Málaga María Zambrano the journey takes about 45 minutes, according to the village's accommodation. There are not many trains a day and the times change according to the day of the week, so it is essential to match the train to your entry slot, and to check the return one too: on Sundays and public holidays there may be fewer services.

From the station to the start of the Caminito

The Caminito begins at the north access, in Ardales, and ends in El Chorro. When you get off the train you have to go up north on the shuttle bus, which is not run by the Caminito: €2.50 per person with unlimited journeys that day, bought on the website with your ticket or paid in cash to the driver (cards not accepted). The official website's "how to get there" page speaks of departures from the south area every 30 minutes between 8:30 and 16:30, while the car park page gives general hours of 7:40 to 20:00; confirm before you go.

From the stop beside the El Kiosko restaurant it is about 35 minutes on foot to the checkpoint along the 2.7 km path, or about 20 minutes through the lit 1.5 km tunnel if you get off at the Ardales car park. The official website asks you to be in the access area at least 30 minutes before your slot, so, between train, bus and walk, leave a good margin.

When you finish the walk

The route ends in El Chorro, where you hand back your helmet; the bus stop is about 300 metres away and the station is also in the hamlet, so if you return by train you need no further transport. While you wait for the train you can eat at the La Garganta restaurant, about 100 metres from the station, or sleep right there at the La Garganta hotel.

Tips

Bring closed shoes, water and something to eat, because the official website doesn't allow flip-flops, umbrellas, walking sticks or large rucksacks, and the minimum age is 8. The Caminito is open Tuesday to Sunday all year, except 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. If you stay more than a day, sport climbing and the via ferrata start from El Chorro.