Visitor Reception Centre Car Park

The Visitor Reception Centre (CRV) for the Caminito del Rey is at Puerto de las Atalayas, in Ardales, beside the MA-5403 road. It is the main car park for doing the walk, because it is in the northern part, where the Caminito del Rey begins. According to the official website it is 57.7 km from Málaga, 51 km from Antequera and 6 km from the Ardales junction.

Parking and opening hours

Parking costs €2 a day. You can reserve a space on the website when you buy your ticket or pay on arrival if spaces are left; the website doesn't say how many there are. The reception is open from 8:00 to 14:30, and the operating company announces any change of hours or dates on its website and social media. The shuttle bus also stops here, running from 7:40 to 20:00, and it is the one that takes you back to your car when you finish.

Important: the CRV does not sell tickets. They are bought on the official website or, if any are left, at the ticket office at the north access. Come with your ticket already bought, especially in spring, autumn and at weekends.

From the car park to the access checkpoint

From the CRV and from the Ardales municipal car park there are two ways to the entry checkpoint: the lit tunnel, 1.5 km and about 20 minutes, and the path that passes the El Kiosko restaurant, 2.7 km and about 35 minutes. The official website recommends arriving at the car park at least an hour before your slot and being in the access area, past the control booths, 30 minutes before. Toilets are only at the entrance and exit areas.

Other car parks

If the CRV is full, there are two other options listed on the official website:

• P1, Ardales: regulated municipal car park, also €2, with the same two paths to the checkpoint.
• P2, El Chorro: at the entrance to the hamlet, past the Tajo de la Encantada dam. It has the advantage that, when you finish the walk, the car is near the exit; to start, you have to go up on the shuttle.

If you arrive by train, get off at El Chorro station and take the shuttle up.

Getting there and what's nearby

From Málaga you take the A-357 and the MA-5403, passing Cártama, Pizarra, Carratraca and Ardales, in a little over 50 minutes. From Antequera, take the A-384 to Campillos, the A-357 to the Ardales junction and then the MA-5403. A few minutes away are the Conde de Guadalhorce dam and the Sillón del Rey, kayaking on the reservoir and Parque Ardales campsite. Remember that the minimum age for the Caminito is 8, with official ID.