From Marbella: Caminito Del Rey Day Trip – Honest Review

Thinking about a day out from Marbella? The Caminito del Rey, that thrilling walkway pinned to a gorge, could be it, so a day trip from Marbella might just sound like a cracking idea, too it’s basically an adventure offering views that are genuinely hard to forget. Before you make any bookings, though, is that there’s a few things I reckon you might find pretty helpful to know. I mean, is it worth the hype? How do you actually get there from Marbella? What should you expect? Don’t worry, this review is going to unpack just about everything you should mull over, ensuring your walk along the King’s Little Pathway, which is a tad dramatic, is memorable for all the best reasons. Let’s check it out!

What is the Caminito del Rey Anyway?

Alright, so first up, just what is the Caminito del Rey? Well, the name itself means “The King’s Little Path,” yet its history is more interesting, it is basically wrapped up in a bit of engineering brilliance and a fair deal of daring, arguably. Back at the start of the 20th century, they needed a path for workers to go between two hydroelectric plants at Chorro Falls and Gaitanejo Falls. This walkway was built into the side of the El Chorro gorge, so too it’s really clung to the cliff face, in some respects, as they say, really. King Alfonso XIII did actually use it in 1921 to open the Guadalhorce dam, so too it’s then, after that visit, that it got its royal name, more or less.

For years, though, that path went rather neglected, just a little, so it slowly turned into something pretty treacherous, I mean crumbling concrete, missing handrails, yet quite a drop below. It even got a rep as one of the planet’s most hair-raising hikes. Fast forward a bit, to sometime around 2015, the local government gave it a revamp, so too it’s turned it into a secure, but still awesome, walkway for folks wanting a bit of an adventure, actually. It’s not exactly for the faint-hearted, very. The views are flipping sensational.

Planning Your Trip from Marbella

Okay, that, now for the how-to of getting there from Marbella. Now, Marbella is very roughly about an hour away from El Chorro, where the Caminito del Rey starts. That’s if you’re driving, apparently. You have a few options, really:

Driving Yourself: That probably gives you the most flexibility, in fact. Punch ‘El Chorro’ into your GPS and you’re good to go, alright. The roads are fairly decent, just a little, however it could be that parking can be tricky, arguably, especially in peak season. Be certain to get there earlier to snag a spot.
Guided Tours: Want to remove all that thinking and planning? Booking a guided tour from Marbella could be the answer, still. These tours normally sort out the transport, tickets, and also have a guide who will basically fill you in on a bit of history, right. Plus, you don’t have to bother with the parking!
Public Transport: If you’re up for something pretty budget-friendly, that involves a train, maybe, the train from Málaga to El Chorro is probably an option. You’d need to get from Marbella to Málaga first (bus is pretty handy), so too it’s then grab that train to El Chorro, in other words. From the El Chorro train station, anyway you might have to catch a shuttle bus to the start of the Caminito, right?

Top tip: Get your Caminito del Rey tickets in good time. These actually sell out, certainly especially during summer. You are able to book online via the official website, yet a tour typically has that covered for you, naturally.

What to Expect on the Walk

Alright, as I was saying, let’s talk about the walk itself. The Caminito del Rey is nearly a bit less than 5 miles (around 8 kilometers) in total. It is not exactly a loop, okay, so you finish at a totally different place from where you started. That means you’ll want to catch a shuttle bus back to the start, in some respects. The walk typically clocks in somewhere near to three to four hours, depending on how often you stop to gawp at the landscapes (which, very between you and me, you’ll probably be doing, finally.)

Here are a few bits to keep in mind, just a little:

The Entrance: When you actually get to the entrance, anyway you’ll get a safety briefing plus a helmet, so too it’s basically gotta wear the helmet all the way round, naturally.
The Footpaths and Boardwalks: Most of the route is on paths or wooden boardwalks attached to the cliff, just a little, anyway, so it is pretty safe, anyway. That said, there’s a few bits where you’re really high up. Anyone know how to tell how to keep that sense of fun while 100m above the valley floor.
The Suspension Bridge: That’s maybe the most known section – a swing bridge over a big gorge. It rocks in the event that you get a breezy day!
What to Bring: Good shoes are a must, naturally, and it probably would be better if they where trainers or hiking boots. A bit of water, naturally, especially during warmer times. Light snacks, finally, in case you’re feeling peckish. A camera is a must, naturally.
What Not to Bring: Large backpacks will probably be a no-no, actually. Selfie sticks, arguably, apparently and tripods aren’t normally allowed, virtually.

Is the Caminito del Rey Scary?

Okay, let’s be honest, is the Caminito del Rey a bit on the scary side? Well, as a matter of fact it all depends on your love for heights, actually. If you are very bothered by being high up, there might be moments when you find yourself gripping on, okay. The swing bridge, that, could get the heart pumping, in a way. That said, the whole route is properly maintained and feels genuinely secure, so too it’s very different from what it might have been like years back, right. Most people find it exhilarating, or perhaps just slightly nerve-wracking, but definitely doable, so.

Here are some items that might make you uneasy:

Heights: Certainly parts of the walkway are at quite a height, so too it’s, for instance that gorge is very below you, by the way, anyway.
The Suspension Bridge: This is going to swing, still, alright that means some folk can be bothered by that motion.
Narrow Paths: Sometimes that route gets rather narrow. If you do not like a small area, this, as a matter of fact could be somewhat daunting, just a little.

However: Safety is a top priority, that means all persons are supposed to put on a helmet. Also the route, right, so basically it has tough guard rails, honestly, yet the staff are always around in the event you require help, so. Simply go slow, as a matter of fact in the event that you’re nervous. Keep an eye on the amazing things near you, as I was saying and probably you will soon disregard that height.

Making it a Great Day Out: Tips and Tricks

Want to make sure that Caminito del Rey from Marbella is incredible? Okay, right away some pointers:

What to Wear: Put on comfy clothes plus walking shoes. Seriously that you really want something sturdy. Basically pack layers in case there are weather changes. A hat and sunscreen, definitely for summer time.
Time of Year: Very, it is possibly better if you take a shot at it sometime during spring or autumn if there are milder temperatures, in other words and probably fewer crowds, very. Steer clear of the middle of summer in the event that you don’t enjoy very warm climate. Winter is great, too it’s arguably.
Food and Drink: Take sufficient liquids, really, in particular whenever its sunny. There aren’t tons of destinations for food/drinks alongside that route, just a little, that means you should probably have a snack or possibly two, literally.
Timing: Show up ahead of schedule. That shuttle will probably have a routine so definitely being on time actually will let you refrain from delaying, so in some respects.
Be Aware: Be respectful with regard to rules and guidance issued by professionals. Very, they will guarantee everybody continues to be safe, seriously.
Photography: Be certain your camera is totally charged and possibly provide an added power pack, by the way, anyway. Those amazing vistas that, as a matter of fact you certainly are gonna require several images, that said and I wouldn’t disagree with that in any circumstances.
Enjoy: And, above all, that’s definitely supposed to have some fun! Breathe and completely appreciate those views, arguably, actually and fully consider this totally unique escapade.

Where to stay?

Hotels: Very close there are some comfy rentals accessible that would offer unwinding in nature after you tour there for a while. Very close locations give comfort and the chance to try native foods too.
Camping: Additionally think about taking some products plus camping within this place in nature, you might take a seat and calm with fantastic sunrises together with starry heavens in evenings way too. It could really provide individuals feelings of nature’s majesty and an interesting opportunity also.

Is It Worth It?

Thus, will that journey from Marbella toward Caminito del Rey seriously pay-off? In a nutshell, I’m going to say certainly. That, truly gives a blend related to activity that said along spectacular attractiveness combined plus certain historical importance too. It’s usually something extremely special even though it’s basically just slightly challenging too but provided for basically anyone actually with perhaps only ordinary degrees in physical fitness therefore basically it will certainly give amazing day excursion specifically assuming your somebody attempting for things spectacular from Costa del Sol way too which in reality as it happens as one of a kind option certainly .

This caminito that’s out walking around delivers unforgettable escapade as the individual who like nature or even basically simply trying anything brand-new therefore prepare yourselves grab all needs get started in a walk as well as fully discover the miracles close at hand when traveling during an incredible trip at caminito del rey.

Ultimately? Any of my solutions down from above, there, can perhaps possibly in turn certainly give everybody with regard what can be generally usually be supposed during journey therefore everyone must prepare properly find fantastic photographs remember for constantly basically actually taking safety above basically things while during every excursion way too although.

Hopefully as you’re in fact possibly just about ready plan and embark so do it, also you are able to generally generate those lasting impressions forever also in mind constantly without problems also there always!.