Volcano route hiking tour

General information

Destination	Category
La Palma, Spain	Sightseeing Tours

Program details

The Volcano Route has to be one of the most spectacular excursions anywhere on earth. You'll walk along the very spine of La Palma with incredible views down to both sides of the island from a range of 2000m high volcanic mountains The Cumbre Vieja is a volcanic ridge covering the entire southern third of the island and you 'll find an impressive series of volcanic craters scattered across a landscape of unearthly beauty.

Our route starts at 1440m above sea level at the El Pilar Mountain Refuge. From here we'll head southwards, climbing gradually towards the plain of El Paso. Here we'll stop to admire the breathtaking views of the surrounding volcanoes: Pico Berjenado, La Caldera and La Cumbre Nueva.

After an hour's climb we'll reach the Hoyo Negro Crater formed by a conglomerate of ashes and cinders fro the time this volcano last erupted back in 1949. From here we'll continue to climb until we reach the highest point of the trek, the twin craters of Las Deseadas. High above the clouds you can spot the neighbouring islands of Tenerife, La Gomera and El Hierro on the horizon. To the west you'll see the scattered coastal settlements far below and to the north the enormous ring of the Caldera de Taburiente.

Now it's time for a gentle descent, heading through fragrant pine forest towards Fuencaliente. From the town's famous lighthouse look down to the Teneguia Volcano, site of the last eruption on Spanish soil in 1971 and imagine the earth as it must have looked in its infancy millions of years ago.

Meeting/ pick up point: Hotel pick up.
Duration: 7 hours.
Start or opening time: Fuencaliente 8.15am, Puerto Naos and Cancajos 8.30am. Hike starts at 10am.
End or closing time: Hike ends at 5pm.
Languages: English, German, Dutch, Spanish.
Others: Remember to wear comfortable clothing, windbreaker, hiking boots, backpack and sun protection.