There is so much more to Lanzarote than its beach resorts. If you enjoy walking along wild, undeveloped coasts and exploring other-worldly Volcanic landscapes, you will love this small island.
Vineyard and volcano near San Bartolome
Matt and I have just returned from a two week trip. Apart from a few very windy days and one complete write-off due to rain and fog, we found February to be a good time for walking. The temperatures were manageable, and the usual early morning cloud and mist frequently gave way to pleasant clear days.
Volcanic shore and cliffs near Orzola
Resources
For an excellent guide to walking on the island, whether using a hire car or public transport, we recommended the Landscapes Guide Lanzarote: Car Tours and Walks. Don’t worry if some of the walks sound a little daunting to you – many have shorter alternatives which are also described.
Another good walking book is the Discovery Walking Guide Walk Lanzarote, and for a useful map see the Lanzarote Tour and Trail Super-Durable Map.
For bus timetables on the island see arrecifebus.com, and for more information about using the island’s excellent bus services see our previous post on Arrecife and Exploring Lanzarote by Bus.
Here are three relatively gentle introductory walks that we really enjoyed.
Maguez
For a great introduction to the volcanic features of the island, there is a lovely walk that starts in the small town of Maguez. If you don’t have a car you can easily get to Maguez using bus line 07 (timetable). For full route details see the Landscapes Guide Lanzarote: Car Tours and Walks – Walk 6. The walk takes between 2.5 and 3.5 hours, depending on whether or not you take the optional detour to a trig point.
Los Helechos volcano, Lanzarote
The walk is easy to follow and forms a large loop. It is part of a UNESCO geopark, and there are information boards at frequent intervals telling you about the geology, ecology and agriculture in the area.
To find the start, head uphill from the bus stop in Maguez (towards Guinate) and after just over 300 m fork left up a narrow uphill lane. Keep on this main track uphill, reading the information boards as you go. There are interesting plants and flowers beside the track, and later on great views of a crater – La Caldera.
La Caldera crater
When you reach a white meteorological station you have the option of taking a detour to a trig point on Los Helechos volcano for fantastic views. Whether or not you visit the trig point, there are more superb views over the sea to La Graciosa island as you continue on the circuit, which descends gently to a road.
View to the ocean and La Graciosa island. You can see black volcanic soil prepared for cultivation
When you reach the road turn right. This takes you to a more major road, which you cross straight over. Here you pick up another track which takes you easily back to Maguez.
View of Los Helechos from the road
El Golfo
If you enjoy watching massive waves smashing into a wild and unspoilt coastline, you will love the area around El Golfo. At high tide on a windy day it can be truly spectacular – be prepared for lots of spray!
Atlantic waves meeting the volcanic shore near El Golfo on a wild and windy day
It is not only the waves that are spectacular. The coast here consists of relatively recent lava which flowed to the sea, and is almost entirely black.
Waves approaching the spectacular black volcanic coastline
To reach El Golfo you either need a car, or to arrange a taxi to drop you off and pick you up again later in the day (make sure you allow plenty of time for taking photos!). If you do have a car there is ample parking just before you enter the village – it is better to park here than to try to park actually inside the village, which can get congested.
El Golfo is popular with coach tours and day trippers, so there are loads of restaurants in the village. Although the village sometimes gets very busy, you can quickly leave the crowds behind by walking along the coastline. There is a great circular walk which takes around 2.5 hours (or longer if you like taking photos) – see the Landscapes Guide Lanzarote: Car Tours and Walks – Walk 29.
Rock arch in the black lava
The first part of the walk involves picking up the obvious coastal path which starts at the north-east end of the village. The path, which leads through stark black lava, is uneven and sometimes not too clear. So although it is tempting to watch the waves, you need to concentrate on where you are putting your feet. It is important not to leave the path because there are many lava tubes in the area, some of which have a thin crust which could give way.
Looking back at El Golfo
You will eventually meet a broad track at a T-junction, where you should turn right. You then follow a loop through a fascinating volcanic landscape, where you can see various stages of colonization of the lava by plants. Do not leave the track as this sensitive ecosystem is easily damaged.
Plant growing amongst the black lava
Gradual colonization by plants
After passing a couple of large houses and some rather unusual white gateposts, turn right to return to El Golfo.
Charco de los Clicos
Whilst at El Golfo, it is worth visiting a viewpoint above an unusual lagoon, Charco de los Clicos. This is reached via an obvious roped path from the car park just before entering El Golfo. It is only 200 m or so, gently uphill, but it can be busy.
Charco de los Clicos lagoon
The water of Charco de los Clicos is coloured green by algae. To us, though, it was the setting which was spectacular. The lagoon is situated in a collapsed volcanic crater, one side of which has been invaded by the sea. You can really see the volcanic features on the inside of the crater, with vivid red oxidised material and volcanic “spatter”, where lava fountains have landed on the crater wall.
The colourful crater wall at Charcos de los Clicos
There is also a great view from here of the black volcanic beach and coastline to the west of El Golfo.
Boats on the black volcanic beach
Haria
A super walk from the attractive town of Haria takes you to two great viewpoints, and involves a relatively easy climb through an attractive vegetated barranco (ravine). We found this walk on the excellent website the Happy Hiker – see Haria to El Bosquecillo.
Haria is a very attractive town surrounded by palm trees. If using public transport it is easily reached by bus line 07 (timetable). La Plaza bus stop is the most convenient stop to get off, and then head for Plaza de la Constitucion to start the walk.
Palm trees near Haria
Looking back on Haria from the
The route is well described on the Happy Hiker website mentioned above. In addition to the great coastal views, you should see many wild flowers on the walk as well as birds and possibly lizards.
Here are some more of our photos from the walk.
View over Playa de Famara from the first viewpoint on the walk
Looking down the barranco
View of La Graciosa and other islands from the mirador at El Bosquecillo
These are just three suggestions from the many walks that can be done on the island. See the books mentioned above and the Happy Hiker website for loads more ideas.
Also do watch out for posts coming soon about a day trip to La Graciosa including a great walk on this remote island, and a fascinating walking tour of volcanoes around the Timanfaya National Park.
If you want to do more than lie on a beach, you will surely enjoy exploring this fascinating and highly unusual island.
Please remember that this site is based purely on our own experiences – therefore kindly note the Disclaimer.
The post Three Gentle Walks in Lanzarote – Exploring the Unspoilt Coast and Volcanic Landscapes appeared first on Self Arranged Journeys.
