What to wear
What to wear on the Caminito del Rey, and what to carry
A helmet is issued and compulsory. Everything else is yours, including the water — and there is nowhere on the route to buy any. This is a short list because the walk is not technical, but two items on it are the difference between a good day and a long one.
Quick answer
Trainers or walking shoes, sun protection, and more water than you think. A helmet is issued at the northern access and must be worn for the whole route. Large backpacks are refused at the entrance. There is no shade anywhere on the walkway and nowhere to buy anything for about four hours.
The kit list, at a glance
- Supplied
- A helmetcompulsory for the whole route
- Footwear
- Trainers or walking shoesclosed toe; sandals are refused
- Carry
- At least 1.5 litres of waterthere is nowhere to buy any
- Sun
- Hat, sunglasses, sun creamno shade on the boardwalk at all
- Refused at the entrance
- Large backpackslockers at the car park
- Also refused
- Tripods, umbrellasand anything bulky or hand-held
- Winter
- A windproof layerthe gorge funnels wind and is in shadow
- Camera
- On a strap, not in a handyou want both hands free
- Toilets
- At both ends onlyand nothing in between
- Food
- Bring it or eat afterno refreshments on the route
The two things that matter
Water and closed shoes
A litre and a half of water, and shoes with closed toes.
Water. Four hours, no shade, no shop, and Andalucía. Carry at least a litre and a half per person and more in summer. There is nowhere on the route to buy any, and the one-way design means there is no popping back to the car park. This is the item people underestimate every single day.
Closed shoes. The surface is good — wood, metal grille and gravel — but the approach paths have loose stones and sandals are refused at the entrance. Trainers are entirely adequate; there is no need for boots.
Everything else on the list is comfort rather than necessity. A hat and sunglasses because there is no shade; a windproof layer in winter because the gorge funnels wind; a camera on a strap because you want both hands free on the walkway.
What gets refused at the entrance
Five things staff turn away
All five are checked at the northern access and none is negotiable.
- Large backpacks
Anything bulky is refused. The walkway is a metre wide and a big pack on a narrow deck is a hazard to the people behind you. There are lockers at the car park.
- Tripods and selfie sticks
For the same reason. There is nowhere to set up and nowhere for anybody to get past you while you do.
- Umbrellas
Wind in the gorge plus an umbrella on a narrow walkway is exactly the combination the rule exists to prevent. Wear a waterproof instead.
- Open sandals and flip-flops
Closed shoes only. The approach path has loose stone and the grille sections are unkind to bare toes.
- Children under eight
The hardest one, and it is a rule of the route rather than the operator. There is no exception and no refund for turning up with one.
Helmets are issued at the northern access and must be worn for the whole route, including the forest sections.
How hard it is→Common questions
What to wear on the Caminito del Rey, answered
What should I wear on the Caminito del Rey?
Trainers or walking shoes with closed toes, a hat and sunglasses, and a windproof layer in winter. A helmet is issued at the entrance and must be worn throughout.
Do you need hiking boots for the Caminito del Rey?
No. The surface is good throughout and trainers are entirely adequate. What is refused is open sandals and flip-flops.
How much water should I take?
At least a litre and a half per person, and more in summer. There is no shade on the route and nowhere to buy anything for about four hours.
Can I take a backpack?
A small one, yes. Large packs are refused at the entrance because the walkway is a metre wide. There are lockers at the car park.
Is a helmet provided?
Yes, at the northern access, and wearing it is compulsory for the whole route.
Are there toilets on the Caminito del Rey?
At both ends only. Nothing in between, for about four hours.
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