Caminito del Rey is famous for its suspended boardwalk on the mountain wall, almost 100 meters up in the air.
The boardwalk forms the core of its appeal and has made Caminito del Rey hike the most dangerous in the world.
But that’s not all.
Surrounded by tall mountains, gorges, valleys, two cannons, dams, and rivers, the Caminito del Rey hike has other wonders too.
It lies among the pristine Ardales natural park, lush greeneries and unbothered human settlement; this makes it perfect for birdwatching.
So, here’s everything you should know about birdwatching and photography on the Caminito del Rey hike.
Caminito del Rey hike birdwatching
Caminito del Rey lies remote with little to no human settlement around the region.
Throughout the Caminito del Rey hike, you will find nature thriving and abundant flora and fauna.
We’d recommend visiting during March and April to appreciate the flora at its best. Learn about the best time to do Caminito del Rey.
The thriving flora, such as the Aleppo pines, Juniper trees, Eucalyptus trees, Willow trees, and Ash trees harbor a wide range of birds.
There are small and big birds, including some migratory species, during certain months of the year
You can hope to spot birds such as the Black Redstart, the Peregrine Falcon, the Kingfisher, the Cormoran, the Great egret, or the Grey heron, etc.
Given that the area is a vulture colony, you may spot a Bonelli’s eagle or vultures during your Caminito del Rey hike.
Plenty of signs will be throughout the trail, educating you further on the types of flora and fauna in the area.
There aren’t any specific bird observation decks, but you can spot many of these birds throughout the hike.
All you need to do is remain silent and keep your binoculars handy!
You can also use various popular Caminito del Rey viewpoints to glimpse multiple birds.
You can spot a few mammals, such as the Iberian ibex, the fox, and the wild boar.
If you are lucky, you might even spot an otter. Be looking for reptiles such as lizards, snakes, or green lizards.
Birding Malaga
People who enjoy birdwatching should consider birding in Malaga. Malaga is known for its rich diversity of birds, approximately 250 species of birds can be seen throughout the year.
Thus birding in Malaga is one of the most relaxing and rewarding activities you can do apart from the exciting and challenging Caminito del Rey hike.
There are plenty of opportunities for birding in Malaga, especially since visitors can venture into the Malaga bird sanctuary.
But here is a list of tours to help you pursue this hobby.
The list contains a mix of transfer tours from Malaga to Caminito and a few off-beat Birding Malaga tickets. So, let’s jump in.
Malaga: Sunset Sailing Catamaran Trip with Glass of Cava
A perfect balance between a fun, relaxing adventure out on the water and an opportunity to spot some sea birds.
This activity blends water sports with birdwatching harmoniously!
Enjoy a comfortable and luxurious sunset Sailing experience on a catamaran. Kick back and relax. Watch the sunset as you sail over the sea.
Feel the calm breeze and look out for possible bird sightings while enjoying yourself with your friends and family.
You can also enjoy a glass of cava on board as you watch the sun disappear slowly below the horizon.
And if you are bored with spotting birds, don’t worry; light music will be playing to make the moment even more magical.
This tour is perfect to witness the skyline of Malaga, chill, enjoy cava, and music, and relax as you watch the birds fly in the sky.
What’s included:
- Catamaran cruise of 1.5 hours
- Glass of cava
- A friendly crew to host you.
- An option to upgrade to a Sunset cruise with a live DJ.
Things to know:
- The Catamaran’s name is Mundo Marino. The host will be bilingual and can speak Spanish and English.
- This activity is wheelchair accessible.
- No food and drinks are allowed on board.
- The tour will include a live DJ on Wednesdays from June 10 to September 2023.
Malaga: Sunset Sailing Catamaran Trip with Glass of Cava Price:
| Visitor Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | €18 (US $20) |
| Senior citizen ticket | €15 (US $17) |
| Children ticket | €12 (US $14) |
| Infant ticket | Free |
From Costa del Sol & Malaga: Caminito del Rey Guided tour
Start the tour by boarding a bus from the spots you can choose in Malaga to travel to Ardales.
Make a short stop in Ardales, a white village, to purchase breakfast in this local area before jumping into a day full of adventure.
This tour is one of the most extensive transfer El Caminito del Rey tickets that allow for more than 15 locations, such as the Malaga city Centre, Torremolinos beach area, Fuengirola Beach Los Boliches, and plenty more.
Feel the cool breeze and enjoy the unparalleled scenic beauty on the walk to Caminito del Rey along the walls of the El Chorro gorge in Malaga.
Follow your guide along a safe path and immerse yourself in the natural beauty as you pass through the cliffs and canyon.
Discover the different flora and fauna of the region during your journey as you continue the hike through the Desfiladero de Los Gaitanes.
The guide will accompany you at the end of the group to answer your questions while you enjoy the experience.
What’s included:
- Transportation in a bus with multiple pickup options. You have more than 15 meet-up spots to choose from.
- Entrance fee to the Caminito del Rey.
- Tour guide who can speak two languages; Spanish and English.
- The price also includes a helmet.
Things to know:
- This activity is not suitable for children below the age of 8.
- This tour is also not for people with impaired mobility.
- You must be wearing closed-toe hiking shoes.
- No flip-flops and sandals are allowed on this tour.
- No pets are allowed in this activity.
- The prices remain the same regardless of your pickup location.
From Costa del Sol & Malaga: Caminito del Rey Guided tour prices:
| Visitor Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket ( 8 to 99 years) | €50 (US$ 55) |
From Malaga and Costa del Sol: Gibraltar tour
Take a bus tour from Malaga or Costa Del Sol to explore Gibraltar’s beauty.
This live guided tour of the Rock of Gibraltar will allow you to explore one of the most unique geographical points.
Board an air-conditioned bus for a day excursion to learn about the history and other exciting things on your way.
The full nature reserve rock tour option will let you enjoy the panoramic tour of Gibraltar, the Strait of Gibraltar, the interior of the St. Michel Caves.
You will also be able to see Barbary Macaques at the Apes Den.
You will get ample free time to enjoy lunch further, explore surrounding areas for shopping, and more.
What’s included:
- A round-transfer transportation facility.
- A live bilingual guide
- An optional upgrade to the Nature reserve rock tour (if opted)
- Free time in Gibraltar for shopping
Things to know:
- This activity is not suitable for people with mobility impairment.
- Meeting points will vary depending on the option booked.
- You must carry either a copy of your passport or a valid ID card.
- You are not allowed to carry luggage or large bags.
- Throughout the tour, you aren’t allowed to feed animals you might visit.
From Malaga and Costa del Sol: Gibraltar tour price:
| Visitor Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket | €29 (US $32) |
| Children ticket | €22 (US $25) |
| Infant ticket | Free |
From Malaga: Caminito del Rey guided tour with bus
A Caminito del Rey guided bus tour is one of the best options for reaching Caminito del Rey from Malaga.
A local guide will accompany you on this extraordinary Caminito del Rey tour. The tour will be for 6 hours.
Enjoy your Caminito del Rey hike as you walk on a suspended walkway surrounded by a scenic landscape.
Along this stunning route, learn about the history and real story behind the construction of this great work of engineering.
You can listen to stories of adventures and climbers throughout your Caminito del Rey hike.
Start your Caminito del Rey hike at the North access and go to the South access.
The trail is simple yet challenging enough for all to keep them engaged by keeping them a taste of adventure.
What’s included:
- Caminito del Rey entry ticket.
- A live bilingual tour guide who can speak both Spanish and English.
- Transportation facility by bus/coach or van to and from Malaga.
- You will be given a safety helmet for your hike.
- You will also get some water along the way.
Things to know:
- This activity is not suitable for children below the age of 8.
- This tour is also not for people with impaired mobility, altitude sickness, and pre-existing medical conditions.
- The meeting point will be Malaga train station by the bus stop at 2 Heroes de Sostoa Street.
- You must wear closed-toe hiking shoes. No flip-flops and sandals allowed.
- Pets and oversized luggage are also not permitted on this tour.
- You must bring a protective cover, ID, and snacks and drinks.
- Remember to wear appropriate comfortable clothes for hiking.
From Malaga: Caminito del Rey guided bus tour price:
| Visitor Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult ticket ( 8 to 99 years) | €55 (US$ 60) |
Get ready to be blown away by breathtaking scenery, heart-pumping thrills, and so much more! Click now to discover what else you can expect on your visit to Caminito del Rey – this is one ride you won’t want to miss!
FAQs
What birds are in Caminito del Rey?
Caminito del Rey is a perfect place for nature lovers as you will stumble across many flora and fauna.
Bird watching or bird spotting is one of the popular activities to do on the hike due to the presence of various birds. You can stop at the Viewpoints to better observe them.
Some birds include Griffon Vultures, Bonelli’s eagles, Peregrine Falcon, Black Wheatears, Black Redstart, the Kingfisher, Cormoran, the Great egret, or Grey heron etc.
Are there snakes in Caminito del Rey?
Given the rugged terrain and abundance of flora and fauna, it is of no surprise that there are snakes in Caminito del Rey.
Several species of amphibians and numerous reptiles, including snake species like Montpellier and viperine Snakes, are in the region.
Lizards like eyed lizards and ladders also abound, so caution is advised. However, there are no incidents regarding man-wild conflicts.
Featured Image: Campusidiomatico.com