El Chorro Climbing

About El Chorro Climbing

The climbing lies in and around the Paraje Natural Desfiladero de los Gaitanes, the gorge cut by the Guadalhorce between the reservoirs and the village of El Chorro in Álora. Climbers were bolting here long before the Caminito del Rey walkway was rebuilt, and current guides describe more than 1,500 routes in over 80 sectors.

The rock is compact limestone, mostly vertical walls and slabs with tufas and overhangs. The Paredes Frontales above the station hold classic multi-pitch routes of up to about 300 m and more than 200 lines in all, while Makinódromo, Escalera Árabe and Los Cotos offer single-pitch sport climbing from moderate grades to hard overhangs.

A 2018 Junta de Andalucía resolution bans climbing all year at Belladona, Tajo del Almorchón, Petit Desfiladero, Tajo Ballesteros, Los Albercones Medios, Los Tres Techos, the north face of Cerro Cristo and on any route above the Caminito del Rey walkway. El Corral is open only from 1 October to 28 February, and some sectors on private land need the owner's permission. Never walk along the railway or through its tunnels. La Garganta Activa runs three-hour introductory sessions from about €55 with equipment. El Chorro has a railway station and free roadside parking.

October to April is the season; in summer climb only shaded walls early or late. Bring a 70–80 m rope, 15 quickdraws, a helmet and the current local guidebook.

El Chorro Climbing in pictures

What you’ll find

• Car parkParkingFree
• ClimbingRock climbingFree
• Free accessFree visitFree
• Guided activityGuide or instructor (€55)Book
• Shuttle or busPublic transportBuy
• ViewpointScenic viewpointFree

Nearby places to visit

The Caminito del Rey walkway threads the same gorge 4 km to the north, and the Mozarabic church carved into the rock at Bobastro Church and Ruins is only 2 km away on the hill above the reservoirs. The prehistoric paintings of Cueva de Ardales lie 8 km west, and the white village of Álora, with its castle above the Guadalhorce valley, is 10 km south. For a mountain day in the west of the province, Torrecilla from Los Quejigales climbs the highest peak of the Sierra de las Nieves National Park through ancient Spanish fir woods, 35 km to the south-west.