Montaña Blanca volcano circular from the village of the same name

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.

Details

43097481
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.69 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 428 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 421 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 578 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 268 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start:When you reach Montaña Blanca, follow the signs to the church. The car park is right next door.

(S/E) With your back to the church, turn right up Calle La Degollada. After the tarmac, continue straight ahead on the path (GR®131).

(1) Spot the return path on the left and go straight ahead. Pass the small pass and continue to a crossroad.

(2) Leave the GR®131 by taking a trace to the left, visible in the lava. Continue straight ahead along the side of the volcano, still following the track.

(3) Turn right towards the road on the most visible track.

(4) At the track junction, turn left onto the path parallel to the Tias-San Bartolomé LZ-35 road.

(5) At the intersection, take the track on the left (Calle Las Rosas), towards the cattle pen. Drive past it.

(6) At the intersection, turn left, then immediately right to follow the track.

(7) At the crossroads at a building, continue straight ahead, crossing the crater on your left to climb to the top of the volcano, following the tracks in the lava.

(8) At the top, climb down past a cross and rejoin the building.

(7) Continue along the path opposite, passing the cross and continuing on to a track.

(9) Turn right.

(10) Just before the first house, turn left as soon as possible to rejoin the original path.

(1) Keep right as far as the church and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 302 m - Car park near the church
  2. 1 : km 0.5 - alt. 333 m - Crossing the Grande Loop
  3. 2 : km 2.06 - alt. 311 m - GR® abandonment
  4. 3 : km 3.41 - alt. 304 m - Right fork
  5. 4 : km 3.61 - alt. 273 m - Track
  6. 5 : km 4.03 - alt. 270 m - Left fork
  7. 6 : km 4.65 - alt. 358 m - Intersection
  8. 7 : km 5.24 - alt. 477 m - Crossing the summit loop
  9. 8 : km 5.77 - alt. 577 m - Montaña Blanca (596 m)
  10. 9 : km 6.94 - alt. 360 m - Track
  11. 10 : km 7.13 - alt. 331 m - Bifurcation
  12. S/E : km 7.69 - alt. 302 m - Car park near the church

Notes

Start:When you reach Montaña Blanca, follow the signs to the church. The car park is right next door.

Refreshments: ⚠️No water on the circuit.

Gears: Good hiking boots and poles.
Sun cream and cap.

Note: To be done on a clear day for views from the summit.

Waymarkers: Markings only between (S/E) and (2). Otherwise, follow the tracks in the lava fields and avoid venturing off-track, especially when climbing to the top of the volcano.

(4) Alternative: the path on the right will take you to the Las Griétas canyon (car park in front, very visible). Approx. 1h30 round trip for this variant. Then retrace your steps to return to the original route.

Worth a visit

Worth a visit: the two former rainwater reservoirs (las maretas) on the eastern flank between (2) and (3), built around 1940 and originally intended to supply Arrécife but only reaching Tias, were in use until 1980. Impressive constructions 54 m long, 7 m high, 5 m wide.
The variant from WPT (4) should be done to discover the surprising La Grietas canyon.
Note that the crater at WPT (7), at the bottom of the summit, was once farmed. It is currently being restored.
Enjoy superb views from the summit and discover the protected landscape of La Géria on the descent between WPT (8) and (7).

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
User 20323206
• Edited:

Hello, It’s a lovely route. It’s easy to park near the route early in the morning. If it’s very windy, it can get cold at the top. Enjoy the route. Jean

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claroc27
claroc27

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

I completed this circular walk starting from Tías rather than the village of Montaña Blanca, following the ‘sendero 2’ marked on the map and thus heading straight to point 2. I found this walk rather uninteresting compared to other routes on the island, though I must say that by the time I reached the summit, I was in thick fog.

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Renard des neiges
Renard des neiges

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful but challenging hike from marker 5 onwards, and particularly between markers 6 and 7 and then 8, where the climbs are as steep as black runs on the slopes. The descent is a bit slippery, but the scenery is breathtaking.

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Zoxence
Zoxence

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A peaceful route for beginners on the island. Apart from the view at the top, there is nothing particularly interesting, but it is still a pleasant walk with few visitors.

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molosyl
molosyl

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on Christmas Day under beautiful sunshine but with a strong wind!
Very nice 360° view from the summit.
We parked in the church car park in the village without any problems.

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Annick84
Annick84

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

It's not easy to park in the village; as usual (for me, at least), no problem if you follow the route.

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