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Things to do in Ardales

Our most recommended things to do in Ardales

From Costa del Sol & Málaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour

1. From Costa del Sol & Málaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour

Prepare for a day of adventure as you walk the Caminito del Rey along the walls of the El Chorro gorge in Málaga. Follow a guide on a safe trail leading to the footbridge that runs through the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes. Begin your day with a pickup from one of the many spots in Málaga and travel to Ardales. You will make a short stop in Ardales, a white village, so you can purchase breakfast in a this local area before to start the activity. Return to the bus and continue until you reach the northern access point of the Caminito del Rey. Walk through a small long tunnel to reach the natural paths that lead to the entrance checkpoint of the gorges. Then, receive a helmet and listen to the safety instructions. Learn what to expect during the trek and the guide will accompany you at the end of the group to answer your questions along the way while you enjoy the experience. Pass by the Gorge of the Gaitanes, a natural pass across the hills that separates the Malaga coastline from the islands with the River Guadalhorce flowing at the bottom. Embark on a safe and comfortable walk surrounded by breathtaking scenery. El Caminito del Rey, after many years of total abandonment, is now a rebuilt path that stretches between 2 gorges and a large valley. After finishing the downhill trail from north to south, reach the exit point where your bus awaits. Once the group is on board the bus, return to Costa del Sol and be dropped off at your pickup point.

Caminito del Rey: Tour With Official Guide

2. Caminito del Rey: Tour With Official Guide

Walk the Caminito del Rey, a suspended walkway that offers beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Built 100 years ago, learn the history of this scenic path and the canyons from your guide. Hike along a path that hugs the cliff face and offers epic views of the Malaga province. Trek high above the vertical canyons formed by the power of the Guadalhorce River. Admire the crystal clear water of the gorge cascading beneath you. Discover tunnels carved into the sheer rock. Learn about the history of this engineering marvel from your knowledgeable guide. Hear the stories of the adventures and climbers who helped build the path, as well as the path’s connection to King Alfonso XIII.

Costa del Sol and Malaga: Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

3. Costa del Sol and Malaga: Ronda and Setenil de las Bodegas

After leaving the Costa del Sol and Malaga, continue along a scenic route with local vegetation such as orange trees, olive trees, and cork oak and the white village of Ardales and Cuevas del Becerro. Arrive at Setenil de las Bodegas, one of the most beautiful and original white villages in the province of Cádiz. Take advantage of your free time to enjoy this peculiar town. Visit the houses embedded under the rocks of the precipice and sit down for a coffee. In Ronda, arrive at the bus station before continuing on foot and enjoy a guided tour of the main sights. A walking tour in the romantic town center with its churches, mini-palaces, and Spain's oldest bullring, offers plenty to uncover. Enjoy the incredible views of the Puente Nuevo, which crosses the “Tajo” (the Cut) on the Guadalevin river where you'll taste a local Ronda wine on a terrace with an exclusive view of the Tagus Bridge. The Palacio Mondragón, also known as Palacio del Marqués de Villasierra, is, without doubt, an interesting visit, being a landlord Palais with Arabic gardens, but it is also the Archeologic Museum of Ronda, with interesting pieces proving the antiqueness of the city. Enjoy your free time to explore the city at your own pace.

From Seville: Caminito del Rey Full-Day Hike

4. From Seville: Caminito del Rey Full-Day Hike

Take a guided day trip from Seville to the Caminito del Rey with entry tickets included. Walk through the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes gorge and hike along the suspended footbridge and cliffside pathway, suspended about 328 feet (100 meters) above El Chorro Gorge. Depart Seville in the morning and take a 2-hour drive by minivan to the start of the famous El Caminito del Rey walking trail. Upon arrival in the town of Ardales, enjoy a coffee or breakfast at your own expense to give you energy for your 7-kilometer hike. Step onto the renovated walkway of wooden boardwalks and make your way through the magnificent Los Gaitanes Gorge. Marvel at the rugged rock formations surrounding you and take in the spectacular views of the Guadalhorce River. Summon up the courage to cross the new suspension bridge 100 meters above the El Chorro Gorge. End close to the town of El Chorro after about 2 to 3 hours of walking, and catch the bus back to the entry point to enjoy lunch at a restaurant. Journey back to Seville in the evening for the end of the tour services.

Ardales: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour With Tickets

5. Ardales: Caminito del Rey Guided Tour With Tickets

Venture along the Caminito del Rey with a guide and experience a 7.7km trek along the Guadalhorce River. Learn how the path was built, curious facts and anecdotes, and the history of the Desfildadero de los Gaitanes. End the day in El Chorro with the option to shuttle back to Ardales. Cross footbridges and trails between the towns of Ardales and Alora. This one-way path takes you from Adales all the way to El Chorro, promising views of the winding river and thrills from walking a hanging path over the gorge. Take it all in and listen to stories and facts about the path, said to be the most beautiful in Spain. Decide to stay in El Chorro or opt for the shuttle home at an extra cost.

Malaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Walking Tour

6. Malaga: Caminito del Rey Guided Walking Tour

Spark your adrenaline as you cross the Caminito del Rey and take in the views from 100 meters above the Guadalhorce River. With your guide, learn about the construction of the walkway and its surroundings. Your walking tour begins at the Conde de Guadalhorce Dam, which is the main water reserve in the province of Malaga. Learn from your guide about the history of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes. This canyon, carved by the Guadalhorce River, is at the center of the province. The path is about 3 kilometers long and less than 1 meter wide. It hangs 100 meters above the Guadalhorce River. You will test your nerves on this high-up adventure. The path is known as El Caminito del Rey (the little pathway of the king) because it was inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII. Discover this dizzying historic path on this tour.

Ardales: Caminito del Rey Private Walking Tour

7. Ardales: Caminito del Rey Private Walking Tour

Caminito del Rey presents a stunning trekking adventure that is sure to get your adrenaline pumping and immerse you into some of Spain’s most magical scenery. Set off on a private hiking trip that follows a wooden walkway pinned to the walls of this magnificent gorge, with a licensed guide leading the way. Start the day at the Kiosko restaurant located in Ardales and get kitted out with your trekking gear while your guide shares fascinating insight into the history of the region. Enter the gorge and slowly make your way along the wooden pathway that's attached to the sheer rock walls. Continue past the Gaitanejos and Gaitanes gorges and by the Hoyo Valley, with plenty of time to stop and take in the views. Next, cross over an impressive hanging bridge. At the end of the trek, hop on a bus for the return trip from Alora to Ardales (start point).

Caminito del Rey: Trekking Tour with Hiking Guide

8. Caminito del Rey: Trekking Tour with Hiking Guide

Join a hike along the Caminito del Rey, a one-direction walkway that starts in Ardales and ends at Álora. Follow your guide as they tell you the history of the walkway and Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes Canyon. Walk across the famous footbridge and admire breathtaking landscapes. This walking tour begins at Conde de Guadalhorce Dam, a water reserve in Malaga. As you hike, learn about the history of the Desfiladero de los Gaitanes Canyon, carved by the Guadalhorce River, from your guide. See how the construction of a water channel from the reservoirs in the north to El Chorro included building a pathway for maintaining the channel. The path is known as El Caminito del Rey (King's Little Pathway), inaugurated by King Alfonso XIII. Encounter a footbridge over 3 kilometers long, built on the walls of the Gaitanes Gorge (Desfiladero de los Gaitanes). Experience beautiful natural spots in the province. During some stretches, the route reaches heights of up to 101 meters. Although the best-known stretch of the route is the footbridge, the total journey of the Caminito del Rey is 7.7 kilometers (4.8 miles).

Ardales: Caminito del Rey & El Gaitanejo Guided Walking Tour

9. Ardales: Caminito del Rey & El Gaitanejo Guided Walking Tour

Start the tour at the Kiosko restaurant. Don’t forget your helmet before setting off. On the way to the Caminito’s entry, listen to the guide’s history of the pathway and the area’s geology. Catch a glimpse of the dam that created the nearby reservoir.  At the entrance to the El Gaitanejo canyon, gear up for the boardwalk. Make sure your helmet fits properly before going any further. Listen to your guide about the Caminito’s significance and the efforts to rebuild it. Stay close to the walls of the canyon. The new boardwalk offers a safer route than before, but is still only 3 feet (1 meter) wide. Think about the engineering it took to keep it steady. Your guide will fill you in on the details. Catch a glimpse of the King’s Bridge while making your way through El Gaitainejo. Listen to the history of the dams and how they led to the Caminito’s construction. Stop at viewpoints to admire the sheer drop of the cliffs to the river below. At the end of the Caminito del Rey, drop off your helmet with the guide in El Chorro. Take some time to relax and find a snack or drink after the walk. There are shops in town, too, that carry souvenirs. See if one looks right to commemorate your adventure. Be sure to catch the bus back to the Kiosko if you don’t want to walk the Caminito again. 

Other Sightseeing Options in Ardales

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What people are saying about Ardales

Overall rating

4.6 / 5

based on 8,523 reviews

Coached from coast to Setinel for a walk round the village for about an hour unescorted. Lots of small cafe/bars to grab a quick snack. Onto Ronda for escorted walk around gorge sights and into the old town before being left to do our own thing for about 21/2 hrs. Guide was excellent both in the coach journey and the tour and was pretty good value. Added bonus of coming back a different route to let us see more of the national park.

Ran like clockwork. Guides very good on bus and on walk. I enjoyed the coffee stop and opportunity to use bathroom. Advise given beforehand very helpful.

Tour was very well organised and the tour guide Susan was excellent and knowledgeable. I’d highly recommend this tour if you’re visiting the area

Great experience doing it all again in April, Maria our guide was brilliant and very funny. Overall staff superb

Very good all round trip- a must do excursion if visiting the region.