Canary Islands walks

A very nice, fairly easy hike to discover the magnificent Caldera Blanca and the 360° view from the summit over the entire Volcanoes National Park. To be done on a clear, not too windy day, otherwise it's a bit sporty on the ridge.

The village of El Golfo, on the island of Lanzarote, was miraculously spared the eruptions of 1730 to 1736. As the lava spread all around the village, right up to the first houses, the highest ground was bypassed by the molten rock. The result is a landscape in which the different phases of the island's volcanism are clearly visible, thanks in particular to the Islotes (Islands) that still stand out against the ocean of lava.

Magnificent, easy hike through a fairy-tale forest, past a black volcano and rocky landscapes. Easy and beautiful. Done with children aged 6 and 9, without any problems.

During the volcanic eruptions of 1730 to 1736, a quarter of Lanzarote was buried under lava. Another part was covered in volcanic ash. Such is the case of the Géria region, in the center of the island, where the cultivation of vines has replaced previous practices, but in a very different way. As well as being completely atypical, this walk through the vineyards gives you a view of almost the entire island.

A short tour to the Monte Corona ridge, discovering the volcanic landscapes of northern Lanzarote, its crops (vines, ...), the Malpais, the lava field to the East that slopes down to the sea. Monte Corona is a volcano with a beautiful, typical crater with a red interior, contrasting with the dark grey exterior. Beautiful views towards the Mirador del Rio and the island of La Graciosa and its smaller sisters. Passage through the bodega is subject to authorization by the winegrower, so perhaps consider a tasting before you set off! :-)

A small, friendly island at the northern tip of Lanzarote. There are no paved roads on the whole island, only tracks and paths. A pleasant little port, beautiful beaches, and those on the east and south coasts are safe. Which explains why we chose to do a loop in the south of the island, to combine the joys of walking and the joys of the seaside.

The Cuervo volcano trail takes you up to the lava fields, around the volcano and into the crater. A flat trail, accessible to the whole family.

In the Teide National Park, this hike takes you up to a superb summit which offers splendid views of Teide on one side, and the south coast of Tenerife on the other. The route is very well marked, with signs at every crossroads. It's virtually impossible to get lost. ⚠️Please note the hunting season in the Park. See Practical Information. Updated October 21, 2022.

An easy loop through an incredible volcanic landscape. A must-see in the Teide National Park.

Undoubtedly one of the most interesting hikes for those who don't have much time. Views of Mount Teide, lava flows, "Wild West" rock formations. You'll get an overview of the area's panoramas in a hike that's accessible to all.

A short, easy stroll offering fine views of the wine-growing area and volcanoes.

Before it became easier to reach the island of Lanzarote via the port of Orloza, the inhabitants of La Graciosa crossed El Rio, the inlet that makes it an island, at its narrowest point. Then all they had to do was climb the Risco de Famara wall to reach the first inhabited areas. For the hiker, this may be a sporty idea, but on a day-to-day basis, it must have been quite an ordeal!

Starting from Haria, this hike passes through gardens, a small green valley and, finally, offers an exceptional view of Famara Beach. For me, one of the most beautiful hikes on the island of Lanzarotte.

A pleasant hike through the lava blocks along the coast. Malpaís de Güímar is a nature reserve declared a protected area. It's a unique volcanic landscape stretching from the Montaña Grande to the coast. This loop is perfect for children, as it's short and very easy.

An easy 5km loop through dense forest in the heart of the Anaga Rural Park, passing a magnificent viewpoint: the Mirador de Zapata.

Superb hike to one of Gran Canaria's most beautiful sites. The road to La Culata is beautiful but narrow and winding, so honk your horn on the bends.

Beautiful hike above and within the Guayadeque gorges. A little difficult at first, then easier.

Between Arona and Vilaflor, a loop on the heights offering beautiful panoramic views of the Adeje valley, a playground for paragliders. After crossing the Barranco del Rey, a beautiful deep gorge, the trail climbs gently around Mount Suarez, then more steeply up the slopes of Roque Imoque. Along the way, cactus, abandoned farms and old threshing floors and small caves. The gently sloping return journey faces the marine horizon of the island's southern tip.

Circular walk easily accessible from Teror town centre, which is a sight to behold. Several views of mountain villages (including Teror), the ocean and troglodyte caves. A word of advice: beware of thorns if you decide to try the prickly pear!

Starting from the village of Playa Quemada, this short hike provides access to 4 hardly visited beaches. There's nothing complicated about the route, apart from a few overhangs above the cliffs, which can be impressive, especially on windy days. The 4 beaches in question are Playa Quemada, Playa de la Arena, Playa del Paso and Playa la Casa. The latter holds a little surprise in store.

On the slopes of Spain's highest peak, the Pico de Teide, access to which is restricted. You should book and ask for authorization to access the summit (3715m) with National Park wardens in advance.

Medium level walk along the magnificent wild Benijo coast.

A superb loop on one of Tenerife's most beautiful peaks. The whole circuit offers an extraordinary view of the caldera and the summit of the Pico del Teide. The difficulty lies in the suspended passage below the summit. It's an aerial passage, but never exposed, so don't attempt it if visibility is poor. New markings have been added to some of the passages, so the description below will probably have to be adapted to the new markings on the summit section.

This route offers almost 360° views of Gran Canaria's breathtaking scenery. The fresh air at this altitude makes for a serene hike, with alternating undergrowth and volcanic areas offering sumptuous views.

An easy walk through hardly visited valleys, including three almost deserted beaches. Good trail for most of the way. ⚠️However, a passage looks very impressive before you start, but the path is well marked and it will only be a problem for people who are very prone to vertigo.

This hike (also known as Caldera de La Rilla), far off the beaten track, takes you to one of Lanzarote's spectacular craters. It also allows you to discover part of the Los Volcanes Natural Park, a veritable lunar landscape. There are no technical difficulties, except perhaps for its length (over 9 km). Be sure to bring windbreakers, as the wind can be very strong at the top of the crater. Please note that descent into the crater is forbidden (limits marked on the ground by stone alignments).

A very pretty, easy hike that begins with the village of El Guro, a very typical village with highly decorated houses.The path then climbs along the Barranco de Arrure to a small waterfall.

Montaña Amarilla was created by an underwater volcanic eruption, the crater of which still dominates the area. The sea and erosion have finished shaping the surrounding area into a curious and singular landscape found nowhere else on the island. The landscapes follow one another, with rows of volcanic cones dominated first by Teide, then by the coast, where the yellow rock that gives the mountain its name appears.

Starting out from Cruz de Tejeda, this is a great hike for the whole family. The views over Tejeda and its valley are magnificent, with the remarkable peaks of Roque Nubio and Roque Bentayga on the horizon.

Climb to the top of Fuerteventura Island for panoramic views of Morro Rable and Corralejo and the island's south-western tip.

Accessing this beach is worth the effort, but it's a real treat!

A short circular walk on the Teno Alto plateau, inspired by the "Teno Alto Self-Guided Trail" on the website www.tenerifeon.es. We start from the small plaza in the center of the village (plaza de Teno). The route begins on paths through pastures between farms where goats are raised and cheese made. The village is then reached by skirting a volcanic hill with caves. Beautiful views of the countryside, pastures, the sea, the Isle of Gomora and Teide. At the end, a final round-trip section with shaded sections offers a view of Punta del Teno. At the time of the walk (mid-November 2023), the Los Bailadreros bar was open in the village and connected to the square, where we were able to eat and drink. In fact, it's frequented by many hikers on much longer treks.

The Ruta del Litoral is a trail that runs along the west coast of Lanzarote, right by Timanfaya National Park. It crosses the malpais, an area of volcanic rock created by the eruptions of 1730-1736 and 1824, between El Golfo and Playa de la Madera. Here, I suggest you take the first part of this coastal trail from El Golfo to Playa del Paso, where swimming is prohibited. The waves, the cliffs, the lava show and the desert landscape are just some of the reasons to discover this place.

This hike takes you to the summit of Calderon Hondo, a magnificent cauldron with a deep, well-marked crater. On the way back via Montaña Colorada, you'll enjoy lovely panoramic views of the malpais de la Arena and the other volcanoes of northern Fuerteventera in the distance... ⚠️Some technical difficulties (hand assistance) and a little gas for those prone to vertigo on the crater crossing.

Easy hike from the Morro Jable exit to Cofete beach. Arid valley, passage over a pass with a magnificent view over the whole beach and arrival with your feet in the turquoise water.

As the highest village on Gran Canaria, Artenara offers unrivalled views. Numerous well-signposted belvederes allow you to appreciate them to the full. Artenara is also renowned for its caves, some of which have been converted into guest rooms. Worth a visit.

We're discovering the wonderful landscapes of La Gomera, an island in the Canary archipelago 35km from Tenerife, which is unspoilt by tourism and a hiker's paradise. A fairly challenging route from the village of Arure to Taguluche, 800m below. The descent is steep, but the scenery is breathtaking. A very mineral landscape, then a final descent through tiered gardens to finish on the lava paths by the sea.

From its peripheral route, the crater's aerial ridges offer majestic views of the coastline from Telde to Las Palmas. This is a trail of great geological value, whose interpretation is located on the Mirador Bandama, as it plunges into a phreatomagmatic caldera with traces of aboriginal life. Entering the caldera offers a different kind of dreamlike experience, as it is completely isolated and thought-provoking.

Short hike before swimming in the Salinas pools and eating a delicious seafood dish. We follow part of the S-90, with a slight variation on the way back. The only drawback is that part of the road is dangerous, but there's a beautiful beach at the end.

Hike from Ajuy allowing access to caves and then, along a desert trail, to an almost deserted beach.

Nice hike near Tejeda, a little "off the beaten" tourist track. Accessible by car via GC-60 and the small parking area at Mirador Cruz de Timagada. This itinerary takes you up to Roque de Nublode, where you'll enjoy beautiful views of Tenerife on one side and Fuerteventura on the other.

This is an easy, shady hike in the Garajonay National Park.

A seaside trail that takes us from San Sebastian de la Gomera Beach to La Guancha Beach. The trail runs along the entire seafront, with beautiful views of San Sebastian as well as Tenerife and the Téïde Volcano, Spain's highest peak.

Hermigua is a village that stretches along the Monteforte barranco. Nestling in a ravine as far as the eye can see, it ends at Santa Catalina beach. Our hike will take us from Santa Catalina beach to La Caleta beach.

A relatively short hike offering beautiful panoramic views of the volcano and surrounding countryside.

This short but demanding hike takes you, not without difficulty, to the Arco de las Peñitas, an impressive natural arch in a desert setting worthy of the American West. You then reach a dam on the Barranco de las Peñitas, above which lies not a reservoir but a small plain reminiscent of an oasis. On the way back, the passage through the Ermita de la Peña and the crossing of a small gorge will spice up the end of the route, if that were still necessary.

The municipality of Telde has created a seafront promenade with beautiful sea views, numerous information panels on marine flora and fauna, and access to beautiful black sand beaches.

Capital of the island of Lanzarote since the 19th century, Arrecife is a large, dynamic town in stark contrast to the rest of the island. However, it retains a typical historic heart and a magnificent seafront. The De Guaguas bus station is an important transport hub from the airport. If you're a first-time visitor to Arrecife, this route will take you to the town centre and the famous Charco de San Gines, before heading off to your vacation destination.

This walk is from Teguise, the old capital of Lanzarote, high up in the hills, down to the coastal resort of Costa Teguise. There is a short climb at the start from Teguise going up towards the Castillo de Sante Barbara, where there are great views along the length of the island, and then there is a gentle descent down to the coast with good views of the eastern coastline. Most of the route is along country tracks which tend to be dusty, and a little rocky at times, but not difficult.

This hike takes you to one of Lanzarote's three highest volcanoes (596 m). At the summit, you'll enjoy a 360° panoramic view of the village of Tias, the sea, the Timanfaya natural park and the protected landscape of La Géria. Discover the two maretas (rainwater reservoirs) that must have supplied Arrécife. Possible alternative route to Las Griétas canyon.