Caminito del Rey: Parking & Shuttle

Caminito del Rey parking logistics confuse a lot of people for one specific reason: the route is linear. You go in one end and come out the other, 7 km from where you started. If you leave your car at the north access, you end up at the south access. If you leave it at the south, you end up near it. The shuttle exists to solve this.

The two parking lots

North parking lot — El Chorro area

Located next to the village of El Chorro and the Guadalhorce reservoir. It's the closest point to the route's north access (the control booth where the Caminito begins).

Capacity: limited. In high season (spring, summer) it fills up before 9am on weekends. If your entry slot is at 8am, arrive by 7:30am to secure a spot.

Price: currently free.

If you park here: the issue is that you'll finish the route at the south access, 7 km away. You'd need to get back north via shuttle or taxi. Not the most practical option if you're traveling alone or without coordination.

South parking lot — Ardales Visitor Center

This is the main, larger parking lot. It's next to the Visitor Center, where the official ticket office and support services are located.

Capacity: larger than the north lot, with more available spaces.

Price: currently free or with a low fee (check at the time of your visit).

If you park here: this is the logical choice for most visitors. You leave your car, take the shuttle to the north access, walk the route from north to south, and end up right where your car is.

How the shuttle works

The shuttle is a bus connecting the south parking lot with the north access. It works like this:

1. You arrive at the south parking lot with enough time before your entry slot
2. You buy a shuttle ticket (approximately €1.55 per person, may vary)
3. The shuttle takes you to the north access in about 15-20 minutes
4. From the north access you walk the route (north-south)
5. You finish at the south access, where your car is

Frequency: the shuttle runs on schedules coordinated with entry time slots. It's not a continuous service — there are specific departures that match the park's entry times.

Time to plan for: arrive at the south parking lot at least 30-40 minutes before your entry slot to allow margin for the shuttle.

Direct north access (without the shuttle)

If you'd rather park in the north and do the route without relying on the shuttle, the logic flips: you leave your car in the north, do the route, and end up in the south. Then you need to get back north somehow.

Options for getting back north:

• Take the shuttle in the opposite direction (south → north) once you finish the route
• Taxi from Ardales to El Chorro (~10-12 minutes by car)
• If you're in two cars: leave one at each end

For most visitors, parking south + taking the shuttle north is simpler.

Groups and tour buses

If you arrive by tour bus or organized tour, the operator handles all the logistics — you don't need to worry about parking or the shuttle. The tour bus drops you at the north access and picks you up at the south access.

GPS and navigation

The exact coordinates for your navigation app:

South parking lot / Visitor Center: search for "Centro de Visitantes Caminito del Rey, Ardales" or use the south access coordinates in your maps app.

North access (El Chorro): search for "El Chorro Estación" or "Parking Norte Caminito del Rey."

Road signage toward the Caminito del Rey is present from the A-357 highway, but the final kilometers on local roads can be less intuitive. Having your GPS ready saves time on arrival.

Common mistakes

Arriving at the last minute: the shuttle needs time. If your entry slot is at 9am and you arrive at the south parking lot at 8:55am, you'll miss your slot. Arrive with a minimum 30-40 minute margin.

Parking in unauthorized areas: in high season, some visitors park on roadside shoulders or unauthorized spots because the lot is full. This can lead to fines and complicate your exit.

Confusing the access points: the north access is in the El Chorro area (municipality of Álora). The south access is in the Ardales area. These are different municipalities with different addresses in your GPS.

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With this clear, arriving at the Caminito del Rey shouldn't hold any surprises. The shuttle system works well when you arrive with enough time to spare.