Any time of the year is ideal for hiking on the Island of Volcanoes. There are more than 150 paths or tracks that will allow you to get to know the island step by step and at your own pace, discovering unique corners that will remain forever engraved on the retina
We propose 3 routes through the south of the island, where you will enjoy beaches, coves, natural pools and a chromatic display characteristic of the volcanic landscape. Let’s get going!
1) “From Los Charcones to the Salinas de Janubio”
The route starts at Los Charcones, about three kilometres northwest of the Pechiguera Lighthouse. This is one of the best areas for natural pools on the island, although bathing is not recommended in most of them due to the proximity of the sea.
In the first part of the route, the chromatic mixture of the natural elements will delight your eyes. The blue of the sea mixes with the black and reddish tones of the lava, and the blue-green water of the rock pools. The presence of volcanic stone makes this stretch hard underfoot and appropriate footwear will help you walk more comfortably.
As you continue the route to the north, you can contemplate the glory of the Monumento Natural de Los Ajaches. Back on the coast, after about an hour’s walk, there are waterfalls a few metres back from the line of breaking waves. Watching how the foam bursts and bathes the broken landscape is an image that will leave a lasting impact on you, and you can enjoy contemplating how the water enters underground caves before emerging metres above.
After two and a half hours of walking, you will find the final stretch of this path much easier, as you reach the black beach of the Salinas del Janubio. This area of the island offers some of the most beautiful sunsets to be seen on the island, which have been captured in thousands of photographs.
After the hike you can visit areas like Los Hervideros, El Charco de los Clicos or El Golfo, where you can sample fresh fish, papas arrugadas with mojo sauce or some lapas (limpets) to top off your sporting day with a gastronomic finale.
2) “From Tegoyo to Uga – Route of La Geria”
Two of the most spectacular areas of Lanzarote merge into one on this route: the Parque Nacional de Timanfaya and La Geria. We start in Tegoyo, a village in the municipality of Tías, by taking the road that leads to the south, until after about 500 metres on the asphalt, the path turns off in the direction of Caldera Gaida.
The altitude of the area allows you to contemplate La Geria with Timanfaya in the background, providing a unique mix of colours in which red, ochre, black and green tones merge. In the black mantle of rofe (black volcanic pebbles) you can see the natural stone hollows in which the grapevines are tucked away, revealing a unique growing method that protects the plantations from the prevailing winds of the area.
The path ascends the Tinasoria Mountain to an altitude of 500 metres, from where you will be able to see the terrain you have travelled through as well as the terrain that lies ahead of you. The descent has to be approached very calmly, always seeking out the small paths that are clearly marked and respecting the protected natural space.
You will reach an area of small buildings where the last houses coincide with El Chupadero and Bodegas La Geria, reaching the final part of your journey that will take you to the town of Uga, a village with great charm and home to restaurants offering typical Canarian cuisine.
3) “From Femés to Papagayo “
This route crosses the Monument Natural de Los Ajaches, which will captivate you with its charm. At the exit south of Femés you will find the lane that places you at the beginning of the path, an area that is very well signposted since it belongs to the Los Ajaches network of paths.
After ascending a small hill, you will set off in a southerly direction following a narrow path traditionally used by farmers to transport their goats and other animals. Throughout the whole route you must pay close attention to the terrain and good footwear will help you to walk comfortably.
Once you have gone around the first mountainous area, in the Morro del Perro cut, you will find an excellent position from which to contemplate the postcard views offered by Playa Blanca with the Isla de Lobos in the background, and by the villages of Maciot and Las Breñas; you can even see the Salinas de Janubio.
It is very important to pay attention to the signposting along the route, which indicates at all times the best way to reach your goal. You head towards the eastern face of Los Ajaches, where the reddish, orange, ochre and black tones merge and are interspersed with the green splashes made by the tuneras (prickly pear cactus) and tabaibas (balsam spurge) that grow there.
Although the path seems to be a never-ending, continuous zigzag, after an hour and a half, your efforts will be rewarded by the view of the Papagayo beaches and the promise of a swim in any of its impressive coves: playa Mujeres, El Pozo, Caleta del Congrio, Puerto Muelas and El Papagayo.
