Hotels in El Chorro

El Chorro, by the station

The hamlet is little more than a handful of houses, the railway station and the dam, but it has one clear advantage: the Caminito del Rey ends here, at the southern exit of the Gaitanes gorge. Trains on the line from Málaga stop at the station, so you can arrive without a car.

It is the base camp for climbers, who have the gorge walls just round the corner. There are hostels, rural houses and simple accommodation designed for early risers who come back with dusty boots. Buy what you need before you arrive, as shops are scarce. At night there is silence, broken only by the odd train.

The Guadalhorce reservoirs

North of the gorge, the Conde de Guadalhorce, Guadalhorce and Guadalteba reservoirs meet, surrounded by pine forest. The entrance to the Caminito is in this area, so staying nearby saves you the worst of the early start. There are picnic areas, freshwater beaches and kayak and canoe hire. It appeals to families and those looking for houses with gardens and water for swimming in the hot months. Outside summer it is very quiet, with hardly any activity on weekdays.

Ardales

Ardales is the town with the most services in the area: shops, bars and a pharmacy. It is crowned by the crag with the remains of the castle and the church, and in its municipality is the Cueva de Ardales, with cave paintings visited by appointment. From town it is a short drive down to the reservoirs. Choose this base if you are coming for several days and do not want to depend on a hamlet. Its white streets, with bars where locals eat, make for a good stroll after your walk.